Mitsubishi Corporation donated a Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle (EV) to Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) to enable its students and academic staff to engage in EV-related learning, research, and innovation following the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) at the university’s main conference room yesterday.
Signing on behalf of UTB was Vice-Chancellor Datin Paduka Professor Dr Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman, while Mitsubishi Corporation was represented by its Country Representative for Brunei Darussalam Tadashi Hara.
The first MoU focuses on Mitsubishi Corporation sponsoring five UTB students this year, amounting to BND10,000.
It aims to support the students’ academic journey by providing financial assistance for their educational goals. Mitsubishi Corporation granted the same sponsorship scheme to five UTB students on August 9, 2021.
The second MoU entails the donation of an EV by Mitsubishi Corporation to the university.
The UTB Vice-Chancellor, in her opening remark said, “The sponsorship for five UTB students this year demonstrated Mitsubishi Corporation’s commitment to supporting higher education and reflected a belief in the potential of the students to excel in their academic pursuits.
“The EV will be a great resource for the ongoing solar-powered EV charging station project. It will further assist our academics and students in their learning and research. We hope this will strengthen the EV-related projects and contribute towards supporting the development of sustainability and innovation in UTB and the country,” she added.
Meanwhile, Tadashi Hara said, “Our purpose is to help and support the university in their research studies.
“We hope these small steps will help empower the Sultanate’s education and human development skills.”
The ceremony also saw the handing over of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and a closer look at the EV. – James Kon
