• Today: October 7, 2026

His Majesty graces UBD’s 38th convocation as 1,181 graduate

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, Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), graced the university’s 38th Convocation Ceremony at the UBD Chancellor Hall on Tuesday.

His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pro-Chancellor of UBD, also attended the ceremony and presented certificates during the afternoon session.

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, 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, Pro-Chancellor of UBD at the university’s 38th Convocation Ceremony at the UBD Chancellor Hall on Tuesday. PHOTOS: RAFI ROSLI

Upon arrival, His Majesty and His Royal Highness were received by Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah Haji Mohd Salleh and UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri Haji Kifle.

A total of 1,181 graduates received their qualifications this year, comprising 56 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates, 304 Master’s graduates, 806 Bachelor’s graduates, five Micro-Master’s graduates and 10 Diploma recipients.

(ABOVE & BELOW) His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, presents certificates to graduates.

During the morning session, 793 graduates received their certificates from His Majesty, including recipients of PhD, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Health Science and Bachelor of Science in Digital Economy degrees.

In the afternoon session, 388 graduates received their certificates from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, including Master’s, Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Digital Science graduates, as well as recipients of the Micro-Master in Occupational Health and Safety and Diploma in Inclusive Education.

The convocation also marked a first in UBD’s history with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by an Al-Hafiz. Pengiran Muhammad Abdul Majeed Ariffin Pengiran Haji Muhammad Abdul Aziz, a Master of Science in Biodiversity graduate and recipient of the Ijazah Khas Hafaz Al-Quran 30 Juzuk from UNISSA in 2022, recited verses 10 to 13 from Surah Saba.

Another milestone was the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the Bachelor of Digital Science in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, a three-year interdisciplinary programme offered by the School of Digital Science.

The programme combines computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, embedded systems and data-driven technologies, equipping students with practical skills through project-based learning and research to address real-world challenges.

(ABOVE & BELOW) His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam mingle with graduates and family members.

Graduate Sairul Behanam said the programme provided opportunities to explore emerging technologies, including robotics, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and large language models.

Her final-year project focused on using supervised machine learning to predict hypertension risk from patient data.

“Although it was challenging, the project gave me a deeper appreciation for research and the importance of applying technology responsibly to real-world problems,” she said.

Assistant Professor of Intelligent Robotics and Programme Leader Dr Ajaz Ahmad Bhat said the graduates are well positioned to contribute to Brunei Darussalam’s digital transformation and economic diversification under Wawasan Brunei 2035.

He said their expertise could support automation in industries such as oil and gas, healthcare, agriculture and disaster response, while strengthening the country’s innovation ecosystem through research and deep-technology entrepreneurship.

(ABOVE & BELOW) UBD graduates and family members celebrating the special occasion.

UBD also celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of the Micro-Master in Occupational Health and Safety, jointly offered by the Centre for Lifelong Learning (C3L) and the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences.

The programme equips professionals with competencies in occupational health, environmental health and workplace safety, while supporting national requirements for designated workplace medical practitioners.

One of the graduates, Wardatul Zahrah Abdul Razak, described the programme as rewarding, highlighting the practical knowledge gained from lecturers and international collaboration with Mahidol University in Thailand.

Following the presentation of certificates, His Majesty and His Royal Highness toured a special exhibition showcasing the university’s achievements.

During the visit, His Majesty officially launched the UBD Digital Transformation Blueprint 2030, the university’s strategic framework to guide its digital transformation over the next five years.

The blueprint aligns with the national Digital Brunei 2030 masterplan and aims to enhance teaching, research, governance and student services through integrated digital systems. It is built around three pillars — infrastructure, policy and management, and education and research — and will be delivered through UBD’s Nexus for Architecture, Data and Intelligence (NADI) platform under the oversight of AISEnse.

Earlier this year, UBD also underwent its first formal assessment under the ASEAN University Network Digital Transformation (AUN Dx) Framework.

As part of the celebrations, the university will host ‘The Next Day’ today at the Chancellor Hall, where graduates, family members and friends can continue the festivities with photo opportunities, vendors and a Digital Thank You Message Wall for graduates to share messages of appreciation to those who supported their academic journey. 

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/Lyna Mohammad

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