In conjunction with the 4th International Conference on Computational Intelligence in Information Systems (CIIS) 2020, Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) hosted the Virtual Presidential Forum 2021 with the theme Digital Innovation in Higher Education Institutions through an online platform.
Based on the theme, Digital Innovation (DI) is an emerging field that has provoked a lot of interest in the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) especially after the global pandemic in 2020. DI in HEI is a technology driven which shifts workforce, culture and the technology itself. The pandemic had pushed HEI to adapt into DI. There are many opportunities and at the same time there are also challenges on the road especially the institutions who are not prepared for DI or digital transformation.
The half-day event began with a keynote address by Yang Mulia Professor Dr. Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Hj Sulaiman, Vice-Chancellor of UTB where she shared her insights on the impact of the pandemic and how it has created rooms and opportunities for the university to grow its resilience when faced with a crisis. The university’s best practices, experiences and latest innovation and development on transitioning towards digital mobility amid the pandemic were also shared.
According to Professor Dr. Dayang Hajah Zohrah, the university had to quickly adapt and make necessary adjustments according to the changes during the unprecedented time and to strategise well in ensuring UTB could continue to operate and still produce a high quality experience for both students and staff.
She added that digital mobility highlighted the shift in teaching and learning, especially in ensuring the effectiveness of e-learning. Similarly, Digital Innovation is an emerging field that has provoked a lot of interest in the Higher Education Institutions especially due to the global pandemic. It is the application of digital technologies that transform the products/services, processes and business models of an organisation. These involve initiatives such as developing new technology strategies or adopting and implementing new software or platforms to organisations or businesses, with the purpose of not just to evolve but also to survive in the current situation.
“Today’s university students are exposed to digital experiences through social media platforms. Similarly, students are expecting such digital experience throughout their campus student lifecycle. In other words, with the digital transformation of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0), the university will need to embrace into University 4.0 transformation”, she said.
According to the UTB’s Vice-Chancellor, the University 4.0 will take benefit of analytics to understand, predict, and recommend new trends in learning and research and in university business operations. Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will free people from repetitive tasks that do not require a human user interface. Innovative people will be able to focus on human services such as teaching, research, and engagement.
She also highlighted that UTB, as one of the technological educational institutions, needs to play a big role in bridging the digital gap of AI technologies by introducing new policies on integrating AI in Education.
“UTB’s vision is to be a Global University Impacting Society, and to further acknowledge His Majesty The Sultan’s aspiration for Brunei Darussalam to become a Smart Nation, UTB had also collaborated with industrial stakeholders such as BSP and Shell Deepwater Borneo with intention to bring AI Lab to UTB and also with AITI to conduct research on Machine Learning, VR/AR, Virtual Tourism and to create a Smart Campus through a number of projects under 5G Use-Cases Showcase”, said Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah.
“These digital transformations will open doors for Research and Development, and Innovation in Digital Technologies, and increase exposure to digital capabilities”, she added.
Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah also mentioned that embracing IR4.0 in Brunei Darussalam Higher Education can be done in twofold: using IR4.0 technology to improve University service hence increase student experience, and to provide relevant IR4.0 key enabling technologies knowledge and skill to support the national vision. “To take full advantage of the IR4.0 advanced technology we need a similar revolution in the educational transformation to ensure the best possible student experience, staff time and investment in facilities and estates”, she added.
The presidential forum proceeded with President Talks that featured five speakers from prestigious universities and industries who shared invaluable knowledge, experience and provided insights on the theme.
The invited speakers at the Presidential Forum also include Yang Berbahagia Professor Dr. Shamsul bin Sahibuddin, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; Yang Berbahagia Professor Dato’ Dr Mazliham Mohd Su’ud, President, Multimedia University, Malaysia; Yang Mulia Professor Ir. Jaka Sembiring, Vice-Rector Academic & Student Affairs, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia; Yang Mulia Awang Ir. Haji Jailani bin Haji Buntar, Chief Executive Officer, Authority for Info-Communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) and Yang Mulia Mr. Alvin Li Peng, Solution Director of Huawei Technologies (B) Sdn. Bhd.
Vice-Chancellor of UTB delivering her keynote speech at the virtual presidential forum
Group photo of the attendees with keynote speaker and president talk speakers (2)
Group photo of the attendees with keynote speaker and president talk speakers