UTB EXPERIENCEPLUS

UTB ExperiencePlus is a programme that caters to all undergraduate programmes and includes a local as well as an international component to be undertaken at universities, industries, and non-governmental agencies abroad as part of UTB’s strategic initiative to increase the number of partner universities and agencies for students’ exchange.

The UTB ExperiencePLUS is intended to provide a platform to extend students’ experience beyond the walls of academia. It is structured into the four-year undergraduate programme and provides opportunities for students to participate in activities for life experience and attainment of life skills. The programme adds value to students’ academic qualifications and contributes towards the preparation of students for working life through attachments with universities, industries, etc.

1. Objectives

The objectives of the UTB ExperiencePlus are as follows:

a) To enrich students’ academic experience and life skills;

b) To strengthen the link between UTB, public sector, business and industries, and universities through work attachment, internship and/or supervised work experience, and student mobility;

c) To encourage students to strive for professional work ethics through the real-life work experience;

d) To provide an opportunity for students to experience local and international universities/industry work environments;

e) To provide an incentive for students who have excelled in their studies and qualify for placement in local and overseas placements (University or work experience);

f) To diversify students’ academic activities;

g) To promote the university internationally and locally through its student ambassadors.

2. UTB ExperiencePlus for the Faculty of Engineering

The UTB ExperiencePLUS for Faculty of Engineering students will normally take place for 2 months during the inter-semester break at the end of Year 3. Arrangements may also be made for 6-month industry placement where needed.

In all cases, students must satisfactorily complete the elements and modules of the UTB ExperiencePLUS to be awarded the degree. Some elements may also be graded. All elements passed and/or graded will be included in the student transcript. The elements will not count towards the classification of the final degree awarded.

3. UTB ExperiencePLUS for UTB School of Business, the School of Computing and Informatics, the School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics and the School of Design

3.1 For four-year programme

*Industrial / Practical Training / Incubation can take place in Semester 5 or Semester 6 and, accordingly, the Group Project and Taught Modules or Overseas Placement can take place in the alternative of Semester 5 or 6.

3.2 For three-year programme

*The duration and arrangement may vary on case-by-case basis and programme.

4. Categories & Eligibility Criteria for overseas placements

To be eligible for the overseas placement, students must meet the following criteria:

a) registered full-time undergraduate degree student;

b) pass all previous year’s modules;

c) attained an average of at least 70% and above in the previous year*;

d) meet the specific requirements of the host universities or work placements.

* For the Faculty of Engineering, students are expected to achieve Year 2 average of at least 70% and also Semester 5 average of 70%.

The final number of offers may be determined by a quota established for the session. The quota is based on the availability of funding during the session. If there are more applications than places available in a session, a shortlisting process will be done. Shortlisting will be based on academic merit and eligible students will undergo an interview. Shortlisting may also include achievements through the Student Achievement Passport.

Shortlisted students are categorised as:

a) Fully-funded students:

In order to qualify for full-funding, students must:
- Be a Brunei Government Scholar or In-Service Trainee and
- Meet criteria (a) - (d) above and are in the top 10% of the cohort

*Fully funded: Funding could be through Moe Scholarship Scheme or; private scholarship by external agencies and/or MoUs with international universities

b) Partially-funded students:

In order to qualify for partial funding, students must:

- Be a Brunei Government Scholarship or In-Service Trainee and
- Meet criteria (a) – (d) above but who are not in the top 10% of the cohort.

c) Self-funded students:

- Students that meet the criteria (a), (b) and (d) and achieve the previous year’s average of at least 55%.

5. Host Universities and Organisations

Host universities should be ranked universities that are not limited only to universities that have MOA/MOU with our university. Students may be required to study selected modules and/or undergo project work.

6. Financial Entitlements

Students who are undergoing paid internships higher than the prevailing rate for monthly subsistence allowance paid through the Brunei Government Scholarship scheme, will not be entitled to receive the monthly subsistence allowance paid through the scholarship scheme. Should their paid internship be less, then the students will be paid a top-up allowance.

7. Insurance

Students are responsible for ensuring that they are covered by personal insurance while overseas.