Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat visited Universiti Brunei Darussalam’s (UBD) Botanical Research Centre to review collaborative research projects between UBD’s Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) and Singaporean institutions.
He was welcomed by Permanent Secretary (Higher Education) at the Ministry of Education Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad, UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle and Singaporean High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Laurence Bay Siow Hon. The visit included briefings on joint projects with Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore focused on peat swamp ecology in Brunei. The deputy prime minister also planted a durio graveolens tree, a species native to Borneo with cultural significance in the Sultanate.
The deputy prime minister, along with spouse Chang Hwee Nee, also visited Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (BKISHHB) yesterday. They were welcomed by Permanent Secretary (Civil Service Governance) at the Prime Minister’s Officer Ajman bin Haji Meludin and BKISHHB Director Dr Haji Mohammed Hussain bin Pehin Penyurat Haji Ahmad.
During the visit, they were briefed on the history of BKISHHB and toured the exhibition galleries. – Rokiah Mahmud & James Kon
