Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) and Serikandi Oilfield Services Sdn Bhd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as a step forward to bridge the gap between the university's curriculum and industrial needs. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the virtual signing event was jointly organised by UTB and Serikandi Oilfield Services via video conference.
At the virtual event, signing on behalf of UTB was Yang Mulia Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Hj Sulaiman, Vice-Chancellor and representing Serikandi Oilfield Services was Yang Mulia Shaikh Khalid bin Shaikh Haji Ahmad, Chairman and Managing Director.
Prior to the signing, the ceremony began with remarks by the signatories.
In his remarks, Shaikh Khalid thanked the UTB Vice-Chancellor for her attendance in the signing ceremony. He also thanked the staff from UTB and Serikandi who are instrumental in establishing the MOU and in organising this memorable event. He hoped that with the establishment of the MOU it will further strengthen the collaboration between UTB and Serikandi Oilfield Services.
Shaikh Khalid further iterate that Serikandi’s core values are inspired by Brunei Wawasan 2035 to be a dynamic and sustainable economy, high quality of life and accomplishment of its well educated and highly skilled people. One of the company’s key business strategic objectives is to develop young talents to reach to their full potential and professionalism so they can contribute to Serikandi’s and the Nation as a knowledge-based economy.
Meanwhile, Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zorah mentioned that in realising the aspiration of Wawasan Brunei 2035 and to build a Smart Nation, she is optimistic that both parties will reach to a stage by listening and responding to the world around us, adapt and progress to a new environment and positive work values needed to meet the demands of the changing industry and global environment.
The Vice-Chancellor hoped that UTB and Serikandi Oilfield Services will find ways to work together as entering the endemic phase of COVID-19. She emphasised to not limit the collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering but also to engage the Centre for Innovative Engineering, other relevant Schools and Centres of the university as well. “We hope to form strategic partnership with focus on developing win-win opportunities, aligning our strategic interests, building strong strategic and technical-level relationships,” she added.
Under this MoU, UTB through the Faculty of Engineering and Serikandi Oilfield Services will focus in the areas of curriculum development for students and staff including joint activities such as talks for students and University-Industry forum, staff and student attachment, consultancy work and joint research.
This collaboration hopes to improve students' employability skills and enable the sharing of academic knowledge and research initiatives that could bring a wide range of benefits to the community, university, and the industry.
The students will benefit immensely from the industrial exposure in which they can apply and enhance their knowledge, creativity, and skills through related work experience and interaction with relevant professionals. It would also allow students or faculty members to exchange ideas and develop practical industry solutions.
Serikandi Oilfield Services is an integrated service provider to the Energy Industry in Brunei Darussalam and is envisioned to become an EPCM company by 2035. Established since 1974, Serikandi as a group, employed 1,800 employees comprised of 70 per cent Bruneian. Besides providing employment opportunities, Serikandi also supported the Ministry of Education by providing opportunity for interns to gain industrial exposure. For the first half of this year, Serikandi has provided placement for 20 internship students from higher institutions including UTB.
Dato Paduka Hj Awang Jamain bin Hj Julaihi, General Manager of Serikandi Oilfield Services, in his closing remarks thanked the representative from the Ministry of Energy for attending the event and reiterate Serikandi’s committment to support His Majesty’s The Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam to meet Wawasan Brunei 2035 expectations and to achive the target of 80 per cent Bruneisation in the company. He also thanked Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP) and Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd (BLNG) for their continuous support to Serikandi in providing secured and sustainable employement for the Bruneian.
With this collaboration with relevant industries, UTB will produce holistic engineering graduates for the country in line with the needs/expectations of the country's Wawasan 2035.
