His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah ibni Al- Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di- Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, the Chancellor of UTB has consented to receive the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (AFEO) Distinguished Honorary Patron award conferred by the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations. The Award was conferred in recognition of the achievements and remarkable social, economic and engineering development of Brunei Darussalam under His Majesty’s wise leadership.
The conferment was announced at the Opening Ceremony of the 39th Conference of ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO 39) hosted by Pertubuhan Ukur, Jurutera dan Arkitek of Brunei Darussalam (PUJA) from 29th November to 3rd December 2021 with the theme ‘Engineering and Climate Change’.
Present as the Guest of Honour at the event was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Ir. Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar, Minister of Development.
Also at the ceremony, Yang Mulia Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Hj Sulaiman, Vice-Chancellor of UTB was conferred the AFEO Honorary Fellow for her contributions in spearheading the transformation of UTB into a world-class university and to be amongst the best 10 Universities of Engineering and Technology in Southeast Asia.
The awards were conferred to distinguished persons of exemplary character who have rendered outstanding and meritorious services to the engineering profession, the institution and/or the ASEAN Nations.
Meanwhile, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Md Hussein, Minister of Energy, who is also the Deputy Chairman of UTB Council Members was conferred the Distinguished Honorary Fellow.
Also receiving the same fellowship as the Vice-Chancellor were Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, Minister of Health; Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof, Minister of Transport & Infocommunications; Yang Berhormat Mejar Jeneral (B) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports; Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Dr. Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Deputy Minister of Finance & Economy (Economy); Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Ar. Awang Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin, Deputy Minister of Development and UTB Council Member; and Yang Mulia Awang Haji Idris bin Mohd Jaafar, Decommissioning and Restoration Manager of Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP).
The Opening Ceremony also saw three Keynote Addresses by the Minister of Development, Minister of Energy, and UTB Vice-Chancellor.
In her keynote address, Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah highlighted climate change, the looming disaster on a global scale that is jeopardising livelihood, the significance of engineering and technological innovations and the role of university in climate change research.
She also mentioned that Brunei although a small nation is also impacted by Climate Change. "According to the report from the 1st Brunei National Climate Change Policy launched last year revealed alarming data," she said. "Among others, Brunei has already experienced temperature increase of 0.25 degree Celcius per decade with further projected increase at a rate of 0.4 degree Celcius per decade."
She stressed that engineering and technological innovation plays a vital and central role in driving climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. "Mitigative technologies are needed to reduce GHG emissions through use of clean energy, effective and efficient use of resources and eliminating waste. While adaptive technologies allow society to respond appropriately and sustainably to the changing climate landscape."
The Vice-Chancellor also shared the university research and innovations activities related to climate change. Some of research projects conducted in UTB are Design and Built of an Electric Boat Model for Waterway Transport for Brunei (CfTR), Relay Station Network based on Low-power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies for Disaster Management (CIE), Development of biodegradable food packaging (CrAFT), Tidal Energy Resource Assessment and Mapping for Brunei Darussalam (PhD research), Fast co-pyrolysis of biomass solid wastes in Brunei Darussalam for bio-fuels (PhD research), and Design of a Tidal Turbine for Low Velocity Application (Undergraduate project).
Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah stated that in addition to research and project activities, UTB takes its role as an engineering university seriously by giving a platform to the public, bright young minds and innovators in Brunei to showcase their creative talents. "Introduced in 2005, CIPTA is a biannual competition aims to encourage and develop the culture of inventions and innovations in Brunei Darussalam. To inspire the public especially youth to develop creative products, processes and technologies," said the Vice-Chancellor. She stated that the 9th CIPTA wrapped up in June this year with the highest ever number of participations and the projects competed varies and mainly include climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies such as flood protection, sustainable food smart and green technologies.
"Although we have seen the decline in climate change technologies innovations globally, here in Brunei, we hope to keep the innovative culture alive. Engineering and technological innovations has and will continue to play a significant role in tackling climate change," the Vice-Chancellor concluded.
Over almost four decades, CAFEO has been a platform for ASEAN engineers to exchange ideas, information and knowledge in engineering, technology and best practices. It has also provided opportunities for engineers, scientists, engineering students and business enterprises to network and do business matching.
Over the next few days, CAFEO 39 will see various activities including AFEO Governing Board Meeting, Working Group Meetings, Technical Paper Presentations, Country Report Presentations, Energy Forum, Young Engineers Dialogue, Women Engineers Summit 2021 and ASEAN Engineering Outstanding Achievement Awards on 3 December 2021.
