UTB CCTL Shares Research at Language Learning Conferences in Beijing
25 May 2025 - Staff and students from Universiti Teknologi Brunei's Centre for Communication, Teaching and Learning (CCTL) recently represented our institution with distinction at two prestigious academic events: the International Conference on Future Language Learning (ICFULL) and the Global and Local Conference on Computer-Assisted Language Learning (GLoCALL) 2025, held at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications from 23rd to 25th May 2025.
Dr. Lee Kok Yueh shared her research on "Students' Perceptions of the Flipped Classroom Approach in Higher Education: A Case Study," examining innovative teaching methodologies within our university. She was joined by two outstanding CCTL PhD candidates: Ms. Hjh Shanafizahwatty binti Hj Mat Salleh presented her insightful work on "Classroom Engagement in Online Learning: Insights from STEM Lectures in a Bruneian University," while Muhammad Faris Syarifuddin bin Haji Hirwan contributed his research on "Outcomes of Using Digital Visuals to Enhance the Communicative Skills of Students in a Higher Technology Education Institution, Brunei Darussalam."
These presentations not only highlight the quality of research emerging from CCTL but also demonstrate UTB's growing influence in shaping the future of education technology and language learning.
UTB Project Showcase 2025 Highlights Student Innovation And Creativity For Sustainable Future
24 May 2025 – Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) held its UTB Project Showcase 2025 at the Multipurpose Hall and Faculty of Engineering Building. The event celebrated the hard work and achievements of final year students from different schools within the university.
This year’s theme is “Synergising Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability: Empowering the Future.” This comprehensive exhibition demonstrates how the next generation of engineers, technologists and scientists are addressing global challenges through research and development. The showcase highlights student projects that integrate technological solutions with sustainable practices, reflecting UTB's commitment to nurturing graduates who can drive meaningful change in an increasingly complex world. By emphasising the critical intersection of innovation, technology, and environmental stewardship, this year's theme underscores the university's dedication to producing industry-ready professionals equipped to tackle the sustainability imperatives of Wawasan Brunei 2035 while fostering economic growth and social progress.
The showcase was officially opened by the Guest of Honour, Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Professor Dr. Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman, Vice-Chancellor of UTB.
In her opening address, Dr. Fadzliwati binti Mohiddin, event Chairperson and Dean of the UTB School of Business, extended a warm welcome to all attendees while expressing her immense pride in the students' achievements. She emphasised that the showcase transcends a mere exhibition, serving as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, industry networking, and demonstrating the students' potential contributions to national development.
A total of 366 student projects were presented, showing creative ideas and solutions from UTB School of Business (UTB SB), Faculty of Engineering (FEng), School of Computing and Informatics (SCI), School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics (SASM), School of Design (SDe), and the Centre for Communication, Teaching and Learning (CCTL).
The program commenced with the recitation of Doa Al-Fatihah, followed by a guided tour of the exhibition led by the Guest of Honour. Attendees were provided with the opportunity to explore the student projects and engage in meaningful discussions with the young innovators about their research and development initiatives.
The UTB Project Showcase serves as a convergence point for students, faculty, industry practitioners, and the broader community. This event facilitates valuable networking opportunities between students and potential employers while providing a prestigious platform for showcasing their academic excellence and innovative capabilities.
UTB Students Join ASEAN Student Mobility Programme
19 February 2025 – Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) is proud to announce that three of its students have been selected to take part in the ASEAN Student Mobility Programme 2025 in Malaysia with one other student from another university in Brunei. The students were Farah Fatinah Binti Haji Ya'akob (UCSI University), Muizzah Zafirah Binti Matussin (Sunway University), and Nurul Hafizatul Jannah Binti Al-Hussiani (International Islamic University Malaysia).
The ASEAN Student Mobility Programme brings students from different ASEAN countries together for academic exchange, leadership activities, and cultural experiences. During the programme, UTB students will join seminars, workshops, and networking sessions with students from other universities. This opportunity will help them learn new skills, gain knowledge, and understand different cultures, supporting ASEAN’s goal of strengthening education and cooperation in the region.
UTB is committed to giving students opportunities beyond the classroom, and this programme allows them to gain valuable international experience. By participating, the students will improve their leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. They will also build friendships and connections that can benefit their future careers.
Their participation highlights UTB’s dedication to developing young leaders who can contribute to Brunei and the wider ASEAN community.
CCTL Hosts Guest Lecture
19 February 2025 – The Centre for Communication, Teaching, and Learning (CCTL) successfully hosted guest lecture Mr. Dedi Sanjaya on February 18th and 19th, 2025.
Mr. Dedi Sanjaya, Manager of the Research Management and Innovation Centre at UCYP University, Malaysia, and CEO of ALTSA Publishing, shared his extensive experience in academic publishing. With over 30 articles published in reputable international journals, including 11 in Scopus Indexed journals, he is a distinguished figure in the academic world. His recent publication, “Malay Ethnicity in Aesthetic Transformation: Analysis in the Creative Exploration of North Sumatra Painting,” was featured in the Cogent Arts and Humanities Journal (Taylor & Francis Group), a Scopus Index-Q2 journal.
The guest lecture consisted of two sessions. The first session, held on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025, focused on research-based papers and provided a comprehensive guide on how to publish in reputable international journals from an author’s perspective. The session took place in Lecture Theater 2, UTB Library Complex.
The second session, conducted on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025, also in Lecture Theater 2, UTB Library Complex, focused on research-based papers from an editor’s and reviewer’s outlook.
The session ends with the presentation of a token of appreciation by Dr. Nena Padilla-Valdez to the distinguished speaker and a group photo session.
CCTL Hosts Training on Quantitative Methodology Using SPSS for PhD and Master’s Students
10 February 2025 - CCTL hosted a training session on quantitative methodology. The training was hosted by Dr. Fahmi, where 8 students joined this training session. The session was offered to the PHD and Master students regarding quantitative methodology on how to enter and manage the data using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Participants were guided through the steps for installing SPSS, including downloading the software and navigating to the program files to open it. They were also shown how to begin using SPSS after installation. This session was aimed at ensuring the participants able to key in the data entry, statistical analysis, and result reporting using SPSS. Therefore, they able to understand the function of SPSS with valuable skills for their academic and research work. At the end of the session, the participants were able to summarize the data’s structure and able to interpret the report and statistical data in an easy way.
CCTL Hosts Guest Lecture on Alternative Dispute Resolution with BDAC Experts
6 February 2025 – The Centre for Communication, Teaching and Learning (CCTL) welcomed representatives from the Brunei Darussalam Arbitration Centre (BDAC) for an insightful lecture on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
The guest speakers were Tuan Khairunnazim Abiddin, Executive Officer; Tuan Muhammad Hisyamuddin bin Mohamad Ali, Legal Officer; and Puan Wan Siti Nur Sofiyana Syazwana Binti Haji Mohammad Sofian, Assistant Legal Officer. Attended by MSc in Communication students and Acting Deputy Dean Dr. Lee, the session sparked engaging discussions on ADR’s impact in managing conflicts effectively.
The lecture sparked thought-provoking discussions on the importance of ADR in managing conflicts successfully. The session provided an in-depth understanding of ADR, covering key mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration, as well as BDAC’s crucial role in Brunei’s dispute resolution landscape.
CCTL student left the Sultanate for ExperiencePLUS to Universiti Sains Malaysia
25 January 2025 – Bachelor student of Centre for Communication, Teaching, and Learning (CCTL), Nur Syamimi Syahirah binti Hj Suhib who are currently pursuing BSc in Communication left the Sultanate for ExperiencePLUS to Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Present to bid her farewell were Yang Mulia Dr Lee Kok Yueh, Acting Dean of CCTL; Yang Mulia Dr Hjh Mas Ayu Kartika Dewi binti Hj Mumin, Programme Leader of Communication; Yang Mulia Dk Dr Syahirah Amanina binti Pg Hj Suhaili, Lecturer of CCTL; Norhuraizah binti Hj Md. Jaafar, Assistant Registrar (Academic); Yang Mulia Siti Nuratika Sri Mu’Minnah binti Mohamad Hadi Muslim, Student Welfare Officer; Yang Mulia Ustaz Md Fazalley bin Hj Hidup, Head of Religious Unit; and Yang Mulia Nur Farah Hana binti Md Nawawi, Acting Media and Public Relations Coordinator.
CCTL organised Graduate Teaching Assistant Training (GTA) 2025
20 January 2025 - UTB conducted the 5th Batch of the Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Training Programme on 18 January 2025, held at Lecture Theatre 3. Organised by the Centre of Communication, Teaching, and Learning (CCTL), the programme aimed to unite Master’s and PhD students to explore micro-plan teaching strategies and learning support mechanisms.
The training session featured CCTL lecturers and facilitators, including Dr. S. H. Shah Newaz, Dr. Nena Padilla-Valdez, Dr. Lee Kok Yueh, Dr. Hjh Mas Ayu Kartika Dewi, and Hjh Shahnafizawatty. The programme began with the 14 participants engaging in a discussion centered around the training’s purpose and expected outcomes.
The programme’s central aims focused on strengthening participants’ pedagogical competencies through comprehensive skill development and knowledge enhancement. Throughout the morning, discussions centered on crafting effective instructional approaches, incorporating diverse learning resources, and designing targeted assessment methods that accommodate different student learning approaches.
The latter part of the session saw participants demonstrating their newly acquired skills through micro-teaching demonstrations. Experienced faculty members provided detailed feedback on these presentations, evaluating both the instructional methods employed and the effectiveness of learning materials in meeting the intended educational goals.
This practical application allowed participants to receive immediate guidance on their teaching approaches while reinforcing the day’s learning objectives.
CCTL Facilitates UTB Strategic Retreat to Strengthen Teamwork and Enhance Communication Strategie
16 January 2025 – The Registrar’s Office of UTB, in collaboration with the Management Service Division Office of the Registrar and Secretary and the Planning and Development Office, supported by the Centre for Communication, Teaching and Learning, organised a one-day retreat at Star Lodge Hotel, aimed to strengthen teamwork, enhance communication strategies, and review the university’s strategic progress.
The retreat commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat. UTB’s Registrar and Secretary, Yang Mulia Mr Lim Chui Hua, delivered the welcoming address, and followed by remarks from the Guest of Honour, Yang Mulia Dr Mohamad Saiful bin Hj Omar, Acting Vice-Chancellor of UTB, who emphasised the importance of strategic planning and teamwork in shaping the university’s future.
The first half of the retreat featured team-building activities designed to facilitate trust and strengthen interpersonal relationships among the participants, followed by a reflection of UTB’s Strategic Plan, which gave attendees an opportunity to review key achievements and areas for further improvement.
The morning continued with two focused workshops: The first, led by the Centre for Communication, Teaching and Learning (CCTL), explored ‘Effective Communication Strategies’ aimed at improving communication across the university's various divisions and the second workshop, facilitated by PDO, focused on ‘Developing a Strategic Initiative’, where participants collaborated on creating strategic initiatives aligned with UTB’s overarching goals. A group sharing session followed, allowing attendees to exchange ideas and refine their strategic planning concepts.
The afternoon programme continued with breakout discussions, where participants delved into division-specific challenges and opportunities and a workshop on ‘Drafting a Survey Framework, which provided an opportunity to develop a survey tool aimed at assessing staff satisfaction with services such as housing, promotions, CPD, and recruitment, as well as student satisfaction with academic services.
The retreat concluded with an evaluation session where participants provided feedback and for future events. Yang Mulia Mr Lim Chui Hua’s closing remarks outlined implementation steps for the strategic initiatives developed during the retreat, marking the end of a day characterised by enhanced collaboration and strategic planning.
Two UTB Communication Students Embark on Academic Journey at Universiti Sains Malaysia through ExperiencePLUS Programme
5 January 2025 - Two UTB Communication students have begun their academic adventure at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the UTB ExperiencePLUS programme. Dyg Nurul Izaán binti Awg Shuani and Nur Qarirah Izzati binti Hj Isham, both pursuing their Bachelor of Science in Communication, will immerse themselves in a dynamic learning environment that enhances both their academic knowledge and cultural understanding.
The students received a warm send-off from their faculty members including Dr. Nena Padilla-Valdez, Dean of the Centre for Communication, Teaching and Learning (CCTL); Dr. Hjh Mas Ayu Hj Mumin, Programme Leader; Dr. Lee Kok Yueh, Lecturer at CCTL; and Dk Dr Syahirah Amanina binti Pg Haji Suhaili, Lecturer of CCTL.
CCTL Student Departs for Indonesia to begin ExperiencePlus programme at Telkom University
3 January 2025 - Siti Norajimah Abd Rahman, a student from the Centre for Communication, Teaching, and Learning (CCTL), has departed for Indonesia to begin her ExperiencePlus internship. She will be interning for six months at Telkom University in Bandung, Indonesia, as part of the university’s global learning initiative.
Present to send her off were Dr. Nena Padilla-Valdez, Dean of CCTL, Dr. Hjh Mas Ayu Hj Mumin, Programme Leader, and Dr. Lee Kok Yueh, Lecturer at CCTL.
