BY Lyna Mohamad

With the adoption of digital learning, social and emotional intelligence should not be neglected.

This is because students should not only excel in academics but also be equipped with perseverance, diligence, faithfulness, loyalty and courage from primary education up to higher studies level.

This was underscored by 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, the Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) in a titah at the 34th UBD Convocation Ceremony on Monday.

Apart from social and emotional intelligence be inculcated from primary to tertiary level education, His Majesty said universities should continue to produce future proof and employable graduates. The monarch noted that while UBD GenNEXT curriculum is producing graduates with both qualities, it should be reviewed in line with UBD’s vision of ‘National Relevance, Global Impact’.

His Majesty welcomed innovation in introducing blended learning where graduates not only receive degrees but also professional certification.

In relation to this, the monarch expressed happiness that the university has introduced a three-year Bachelor of Applied Artificial Intelligence programme beginning academic session 2022/2023. The programme is a collaboration with Coursera – one of the largest online course providers – with professional certification from renowned companies such as Google and IBM.

His Majesty expressed hope that the graduates will be industry-ready with higher chances of employment locally and abroad as well as self-employment.

Touching on careers, the monarch said he is aware that UBD’s Centre for Lifelong Learning is working on guidelines and regulations for micro-credentials such as micro-bachelor and micro-master to be introduced for the Brunei population to upgrade their capabilities and improve their career progression.

On ranking, His Majesty said UBD’s Modern Languages was placed in QS World University Rankings by Subject this year.

Meanwhile in research, the monarch congratulated the university for its rise in citation impact noted by Times Higher Education World University Rankings. He also welcomed the involvement of industries with higher education institutions in research to contribute to national development.

His Majesty was also glad that UBD has strengthened its Al-Quran guidance programme with the introduction of the Quranic Journey aimed at assisting Muslim students’ understanding of the holy book and foster the love for Al-Quran in line with the university’s motto ‘Towards Human Excellence’.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin