Universiti Teknologi Brunei pledged its commitment to prepare students for life after graduation by providing first-hand knowledge to its students, delivered by high-caliber academicians with industry-backed experiences.
Academics at the university, many of whom have received their postgraduate degrees from prestigious universities worldwide, are also involved in world-class impactful research projects that have contributed to the development of the university.
UTB dedicates the academicians to play vital roles in preparing students for not just the immediate work-entry years but for a life-long career with suitable soft and hard skills that will contribute to the development of the economy and nation.
Top-notch Academics to Take UTB to Greater Heights
Professor Dr. Mohamed Hasnain Isa, Professor at the Faculty of Engineering and the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Research) at UTB, has served three top ranking universities in India and Malaysia and has also worked as Senior Environmental Consultant in Hong Kong. He has also represented UTB as a member of Sea Level Rise and Waste Management Task Forces organised by Brunei Climate Change Secretariat (BSSC). He believes that sharing anecdotes with his students can help them develop a way of thinking and solving a problem that is relatable to the field such as world’s environment.
Meanwhile, Dr Lim Tiong Hoo, Assistant Professor of Electrical & Electronics Engineering and Director of Planning & Development Office, has over two decades of experience under his belt in both industry and academia shares his way of teaching which is to focus less on theories, but more in the development of good learning practices, practical and analytical skills.
He applies the three fundamental and interrelated properties when it comes to students’ learning namely: careful planning, good strategies and personal investment.
“These fundamentals allow me to build a strong module, explain core principles in accessible ways, and apply different teaching pedagogies to students with different requirements and capabilities”, he shared.
Having decided to settle in Brunei as his new home and teach Mechanical Engineering at UTB, Senior Professor Dr Ramesh Singh Kuldip Singh feels that he has the requisite skillsets, knowledge, and vast experience to contribute towards realising the vision and mission of UTB.
Having 25 years of outstanding teaching and research experience in the field of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, he has supervised 78 postgraduate students and more than 300 undergraduate final year students’ projects and group design projects.
He was also appointed Fellow of the Academy Sciences Malaysia, a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council UK, a Chartered Professional Engineer with Engineers Australia, a Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia, and a Fellow of five prominent professional societies including the Institution of Mechanical Engineers UK and the Institution of Engineers Australia.
As for Dr. Syazana Abdullah Lim, Assistant Professor from the School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics highlighted that the aesthetics of being an educator is having the opportunity to influence and be directly involved in shaping future leaders.
She believes that once the students graduated, they should be perceived as an asset to boost the food industries in Brunei at all levels as they have the correct skills, expertise and exposure.
As she seeks leverage in food science with her expertise, honed from her studies at the universities in United Kingdom and Brunei Darussalam, she has been actively assisting in developing the Food Science & Technology programme ever since its establishment in 2016 and building rapport with not only in-house, but with overseas institutions such as Osaka University for internships and others.
Strengthening the impact of Applied Research
At UTB, each academician is in constant pursuit of utilising their expertise to solve specific, practical issues affecting the world currently.
Concern towards the environment relating to sustainable consumption, Professor Hasnain has led many sustainability related research projects especially on wastewater treatment, sludge treatment and waste management that aims to achieve resource efficiency and thus advance sustainability through research.
Currently, he is working on research projects with postgraduate and undergraduate students on the environmental impacts of landfill leachate and its treatment.
“Landfill leachate is a highly polluted wastewater with toxic and carcinogenic contaminants that can pose serious threat to health and environment, hence, adequate treatment of leachate is required to prevent it from contaminating surface and groundwater when discharged”, explained Professor Hasnain.
He hopes that by sharing his knowledge and experience with the students, it would be instrumental in preparing the students for the future and to have global perspective in today’s challenges.
Coming from Computer Science, Engineering and Artificial Intelligence (AI) background, Dr Lim hopes that by imparting his AI and Robotics researches to his students, they will be able to enhance their readiness to face the changes brought by Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0).
With the rapid advancement of technology, he has conducted researches in the area of E-Health for people with diabetes, smart agriculture to increase production, and intelligence transport systems for traffic control. He was also awarded to conduct research with University of Virginia under the US-ASEAN Fulbright Scholar Program to look into autonomous vehicle for the mitigation of traffic congestion.
Enhancing Knowledge through Quadruple Helix Engagement
“To make a positive impact to any organisation, one must be pro-active, not only in engaging discussions but also in initiating them”, said Dr Syazana.
Being both the Assistant Professor and the Deputy Director of Centre for Research Agri-Food Science and Technology (CrAFT) at UTB, she has initiated several collaborations with industries and relevant organisations to come up with real-world projects. From here, students are exposed to the current needs of the industry.
According to Dr. Syazana, UTB has signed a number of agri-food related Memorandum of Understanding(s) to encourage innovations in the hope to have spillover effects to local business and industry. CrAFT is also actively seeking for translational research that will provide economic returns to the country.
Prior to working at UTB, Dr Lim has led and managed a number of e-government projects, involved in the development and maintenance of e-government systems and providing support to ISP.
“From both technical and management knowledge and skills gained from the seven years of working at industry has allowed me to apply hands-on and use scenario-based learning to enhance students learning experience, and mentor UTB students in participating and winning national and international competitions in both engineering and non-engineering related projects”, added Dr. Lim.
Other than giving the students the exposure to real-life engineering case studies and problems as part of their learning, Professor Ramesh has been organising industrial talk series for the Mechanical Engineering students ever since he joined UTB last year as part of the professional exposure for the students. At least four industry seminars being organised for the students every semester.
“These industrial seminars are delivered by engineers from various industries with the aim of providing students with first-hand experience to real industrial operation and working environment”, said Professor Ramesh.
In line with the Government’s vision 2035 to achieve Educated, Highly Skilled and Accomplished People through provision of education opportunities, UTB strives to equip its graduates with quality education, industrial experience and other added values to prepare and provide them with a competitive edge in today’s saturated job market.
