Universiti Brunei Darussalam graduates reflect on the road ahead.
In an increasingly interconnected and technologically driven world, the challenge of overcoming unemployment has taken a multifaceted and pressing nature.
To address this complex issue, a comprehensive approach is imperative – one that considers the interplay of education and skills training, government policies, technological innovation, and the changing nature of work itself.
With that, over 1,000 graduates successfully concluded their years of diligent studies at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), taking confident strides across the stage to be bestowed with their well-deserved certificates recently.
The long-awaited day had finally arrived, a day that marked the culmination of anticipation for all, as they stood on the threshold of their career journey or embarked on the quest for employment opportunities. Meanwhile, others harboured aspirations of further academic pursuits to elevate their knowledge to greater heights.
The 35th UBD Convocation presented an opportunity to speak to a few of the graduates from varying disciplines to gain insight on their personal experiences and perspectives concerning topics such as unemployment, leadership and internship.
Awangku Mohd Azamuddin bin Pengiran Mohd Hardy – Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Process Engineering)
Awangku Mohd Azamuddin undertook a pair of distinct internships prior to his graduation, both of which were conducted at Hengyi Industries Sdn Bhd. The initial internship primarily transpired online, a response to the global pandemic circumstances at the time.
“I honestly didn’t really enjoy it because it was a lot more challenging to learn and understand something you’ve never seen before, and I only spent about 10 days physically there.”
Nonetheless, his second internship presented an entirely distinct experience – an in-person engagement that proved considerably more exhilarating and enlightening.
This time, he delved into a captivating hands-on internship, acquiring knowledge that surpassed his initial experience. The opportunity to witness the practical application of his academic studies allowed him to effectively apply the theoretical insights he had amassed throughout his degree journey.
Embarking on his full-time role with Hengyi Industries post-graduation, it’s highly likely that he will join the same department where he completed his internship.
Consequently, the valuable lessons gleaned from his second internship are poised to become instrumental in his professional endeavours. These newfound insights and skills will undoubtedly contribute significantly to his effectiveness within the workplace.
Among the trio of invaluable experiences he has acquired, one stands out as learning to collaborate with individuals hailing from diverse cultures.
Additionally, he has grasped the significance of teamwork within a professional setting and has honed the skill of effective communication despite language barriers.
Moving ahead following his graduation, Awangku Mohd Azamuddin is steadfast in his pursuit of accumulating substantial real-world work exposure. He also has a resolute ambition to enhance his proficiency in the Chinese language.
“Alhamdulillah, I feel blessed that I took this opportunity awarded to me, but it saddens me knowing that many graduates will not be able to get jobs in industries related to their majors.”
Nur Sa’adatul Yasmin binti Mohammad Sanadi – Bachelor of Health Science (Biomedical Science)
Having amassed invaluable experience during her Discovery Year (DY), Nur Sa’adatul Yasmin envisions furthering her education to delve deeper into her area of interest, with a leaning towards medical genetics.
Throughout her DY, she had the opportunity to actualise the theories and practical knowledge she had acquired at university within a genuine work environment.
Serving as an intern at both the Jerudong Park Medical Centre laboratory and the Blood Donation Centre at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, she engaged in hands-on application of laboratory procedures and the utilisation of diverse diagnostic equipment.
This immersive experience facilitated a comprehensive understanding of the theories she had studied.
Regarding the search for employment, Nur Sa’adatul intends to delve into various career domains beyond her field of study. This decision stems from her experience with the GenNext programme, where she engaged with modules outside her faculty that didn’t align with her major.
This exposure not only bolstered her skills beyond the realm of health science, but also encouraged her to explore broader career prospects.
“The skills that I have learnt throughout my laboratory days can also be applied to other careers in terms of safety and working procedures.”
Expressing her perspective on the nation’s unemployment rate, encompassing graduates from tertiary institutions, she observed that while achieving a complete eradication of unemployment among graduates might be highly challenging, there exist potential methods to continue driving its further reduction.
She believes that one strategy involves graduates adopting a proactive stance, rather than solely depending on educational institutions to impart all necessary skills.
“Graduates should actively explore opportunities, whether through part-time employment, i-Ready programmes, or engagement in organisations, to enhance their skills independently. This approach aims to hone their abilities and equip them for a sustained career journey.
“I have also observed the effort of UBD Centre of Networking, Employment and Career Training (UBD CoNECT) in helping graduate and soon-to-be graduate students to become more marketable for potential employers and they also prepare numerous talks relevant to career planning and development and invited employers from various companies to give talks.”
Nur Sa’adatul pointed out that this is a good initiative, adding that ultimately, such efforts must come from individuals to participate and be more committed to expanding their soft and hard skills in order to be more competitive in this fast-paced market.
“Lastly, I would like to dedicate this degree to my parents and loving husband for being my support system throughout my degree years, all of this will not be possible without them.”
Muhd Amirul Raziq bin Haji Rosman – Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
“I see myself pursuing further studies overseas in research related to artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in the next five years after my graduation.
“However, as for now, I am open to any jobs that are related to AI and robotics as they are my research interests,” said Muhd Amirul Raziq.
The Bachelor of Science graduate considers his university years a success due to two significant accomplishments: achieving commendable grades upon completing his studies and enhancing an application designed for indoor navigation as part of his final year project.
When queried about his perspective on robust leadership skills and qualities in the workplace, he expressed his belief in the analogy that “A ship needs a captain. The crew is important, but the captain steers everything”.
He also emphasised the significance of possessing strong leadership skills in a professional setting, as they are pivotal in achieving the objectives of a company or a team.
He also affirmed that he showcased leadership attributes during his university tenure. In his second year, he held the presidency of a club at UBD for a year, underscoring the necessity of possessing leadership qualities to effectively manage the club alongside his peers.
“I would always ask for a consensus before a final decision is made as it is important for everyone to be on the same page.”
DR Chitra Kurup – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biotechnology
Dr Chitra Kurup, one of the 19 international PhD graduates participating in the convocation, made the decision to leave her teaching role at Chung Ching Middle School to embark on her PhD journey at UBD.
Being an international student at UBD, she observed that the educational standards in Brunei excel beyond those in India, primarily due to the widespread high population density found across all Indian states. However, making a direct comparison between educational institutions in India and Brunei isn’t practical, given the significant disparity in their respective numbers.
Regarding her programme, she highlighted that it has afforded her a valuable chance to engage in thorough research under the guidance of Dr Minhaz Uddin Ahmed. She added that she also had the opportunity to collaborate with experienced mentors and make contributions to the field of Biosensors.
If Dr Chitra were to possess an extraordinary talent, she would choose to have a remarkable ability for communication. This skill would enable her to forge connections with people from various backgrounds, effectively express her ideas, and cultivate strong interpersonal relationships.
When asked about her perspective on the essential qualities of a leader, she expressed the belief that these would encompass proficient communication, robust decision-making abilities, the capacity to inspire and motivate others, empathy, and adaptability.
Dr Haji Azrin bin Haji Tunjang – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Islamic Education
Dr Haji Azrin bin Haji Tunjang, one of the 24 local PhD graduates, explained that studying part-time presented numerous challenges.
Nevertheless, he expressed gratitude for the Bursary Award he received, which greatly motivated him to pursue his PhD.
His aspiration to enhance skills in Islamic education through teacher professional development and self-practice played a pivotal role in his decision to pursue a doctorate in the field.
“I envision sharing the knowledge I have gained through my studies with fellow teachers in the professional learning community (PLC).” – Lyna Mohamad
