Lyna Mohamad
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Pro-Chancellor of UBD visited an exhibition during the 33rd UBD Convocation Ceremony yesterday.
His Majesty signed the UBD Strategic Plan 2021-2025 publication unveiled at the exhibition.
His Majesty also visited several exhibits such as Alya Playhouse, Fatih Aquaculture, and a research collaboration on ‘Preliminary Investigations into the Determination of Bioactive Compounds and Mineral composition in aquilaria (Agarwood) Leaves Found in Brunei Darussalam’.
UBD alumni Ahmad Fathi bin Dr Haji Norarfan and Dayangku Fatin Farhana binti Pengiran Norariffin represented the playhouse as owners and managers as well as supervisors.
The care centre for children aged five and below has been operating since December 2020, focussing on child development and well-being through learning while playing.
To meet high demand, Alya Playhouse plans to expand its current facility in Kampong Tanah Jambu and opening another branch in Tutong District.
Having provided employment for 10 locals, including i-Ready apprentices, full-time and part-time staff, the expansion will generate more job opportunities for locals.
Ahmad Fathi also represented Fatih Aquaculture with manager Abdul Muid bin Abdullah.
The business started in the backyard using a tank-based recirculating aquaculture system in July 2020 expanded from two tanks of 200 fish to six tanks.
Since completing their studies in 2020, the biology graduates have produced over half a tonne of red tilapia. Their expertise has allowed them to successfully breed red tilapia fingerlings which few local companies are able to do so.
The ‘Preliminary Investigations into the Determination of Bioactive Compounds and Mineral composition in aquilaria (Agarwood) Leaves Found in Brunei Darussalam’, is based on a research collaboration between UBD and Pahaytc Sdn Bhd.
Locally named gaharu, agarwood is a fragrant, dark resinous wood that is formed in the heartwood of aquilaria trees as a defence mechanism against infection. The highly prized, dark aromatic resin is often used to make perfumes.
Aimed to establish the phytochemical and mineral composition of different parts of locally uninfected aquilaria plants such as its seeds, leaves and barks, the research collaboration also investigates the effects of preparation and conditions on their phytochemical and mineral composition.
Three UBD students have been hired as research assistants and information obtained from the research is used by Pahaytc Sdn Bhd to create locally-produced consumer products with results from the collaboration aimed at realising a large-scale agarwood plantation.
Not only will the first local agarwood tea production facility be capable of global export but it will also employ 100 per cent local workforce, especially among the rural population and those residing in the project areas.
His Majesty received a pesambah from Pahaytc Sdn Bhd Managing Director Yong Teck Foo in the form of an agarwood and a top-quality golden agarwood oil stored in a kayu raja (agathis borneensis), known as the king of trees which locals refer to as kayu tulong.
