His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of the Committee of Governors of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah yesterday officiated the launching ceremony of the International Conference on Community Service and Community Empowerment at the Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

With the theme ‘Empowering Community Service Towards Sustainable Ummah Development’, the conference serves as an academic platform that brings together scholars, industry practitioners, non-governmental organisations, policymakers, students, and stakeholders from local and international arenas to strengthen the agenda of community service, community empowerment, and ummah development.

The International Conference on Community Service and Community Empowerment is organised for the first time as a joint initiative between Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) and Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB), in collaboration with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) and the Universiti Al-Quran Al-Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah Pahang (UNIQSAAS).

The collaboration between UNISSA and YSHHB reflects the partnership between the two institutions in advancing community service and community empowerment initiatives in Brunei Darussalam.

Meanwhile, the participation of USIM and UNIQSAAS further strengthens regional cooperation through the exchange of knowledge, research, and best practices in the fields of community service, human development, and community empowerment at the international level.

Upon arrival, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik was welcomed by Deputy Chairman I of the Committee of Governors of YSHHB Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris bin Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar; Coordinating Minister for National Security, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, who is a member of the Committee of Governors of YSHHB; Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (Public Service Governance) Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Awang Haji Mohamad, who is the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of YSHHB; Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan and Deputy Minister of Education Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal as members of the Board of Directors of YSHHB; and Acting Rector of UNISSA and Co-Chairman of the Conference Steering Committee Dr Awang Haji Arman bin Haji Asmad. The acting rector of UNISSA and co-chairman of the Conference Steering Committee in his welcoming remarks shared that community service is a trust and a manifestation of knowledge that is translated into meaningful action for the benefit of society. In the context of higher education, universities bear a responsibility that goes far beyond being mere centres of knowledge.

Since its establishment, Awang Haji Arman highlighted that UNISSA has remained committed to making community service one of the core pillars of its academic framework under the UNISSA Co-Curricular Framework for Integrating Knowledge, Readiness and Advancement, or FIKRA.

He explained that the conference also serves as an important platform to foster awareness and strengthen the understanding that academic excellence must be balanced with values of leadership, volunteerism, empathy, compassion, and social responsibility.

Therefore, the conference is not solely theoretical in nature, as participants will also be exposed to hands-on community service experiences at three strategic locations on the second day of the conference.

Following a sabda and the official launch of the conference by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, the programme continued with the presentation of the keynote paper by Assistant Professor at the Centre for Promotion of Knowledge and Language of UNISSA Dr Hajah Ummi Fa’izah binti Haji Abdul Rahman.

His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik toured an exhibition highlighting community service activities participated by several agencies, including the YSHHB; the Community Development Department of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; the Department of Zakat, Waqaf and Baitulmal of the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Bank Usahawan; Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei; and UNISSA. The International Conference on Community Service and Community Empowerment 2026 will take place for two days starting yesterday.

A total of 57 presenters from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates are participating in the conference, which will discuss contemporary social and humanitarian challenges and solutions.

The conference is also expected to produce meaningful and practical resolutions to strengthen the culture of community service and solidarity at both national and international levels.

In addition to paper presentations and forums, the conference also includes community service engagement activities at several strategic locations across the country.

The International Conference on Community Service and Community Empowerment 2026 is held in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2026. – James Kon

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin