You witness the grandeur as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince steps into the newly completed School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics Building. The air buzzes with anticipation as UTB prepares to celebrate a decade of academic excellence. We’re about to experience the tenth UTB Convocation Festival 2025, where innovation meets tradition in spectacular fashion.
UTB Convocation Festival 2025 Celebrates Decade of Academic Excellence
Catalyst
On 23 August 2025, a momentous occasion unfolded when His Royal Highness Prince (Dr.) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), graciously consented to officiate the tenth UTB Convocation Festival 2025. Meanwhile, the newly completed School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics Building provided the perfect backdrop for this historic celebration.
Upon arrival, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince received a warm welcome from distinguished guests. The Minister of Education and Chair of UTB Council, Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Hj Md Salleh, stood alongside UTB Vice-Chancellor, Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman, creating an atmosphere of academic reverence and royal dignity.
Rising Action
As the ceremony commenced, tradition merged seamlessly with innovation. Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar led the gathering in the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat, establishing a spiritual foundation for the proceedings.
Subsequently, His Royal Highness consented to officiate both the Tenth UTB Convocation Festival 2025 and the newly completed building. The call of Takbir echoed through the halls, followed by a multimedia presentation that showcased the university’s achievements. Cultural performances then captivated the audience, featuring vibrant displays of Hapkido, traditional Bruneian dance, Gulingtangan, and Hadrah by the university’s student clubs.
The moment had arrived to witness true interdisciplinary collaboration in action.
Turning Point
The exhibition tour marked a pivotal moment, themed “Bridging Ideas, Building Futures – Collaboration Across Disciplines.” This theme celebrates UTB’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration as a driving force behind innovation, progress, and real-world impact. By bridging ideas across fields such as science, engineering, technology, design and entrepreneurship, UTB empowers students to co-create solutions that shape a sustainable, enterprising, and global future.
Eight remarkable projects showcased the graduating students’ innovative spirit under this transformative theme:
- Nor ‘Aqilah binti Haji Juffle, PhD in Civil Engineering on Adopting Passive Design Strategies in Buildings.
- Ak Mohammad Afiq Syazwan bin Pg Hj Rosli, BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering on A Study and Conceptual Design of a Mini Vehicle using Hydrogen Fuel Cell.
- Muhammad Arif Hisyamuddin bin Zaidi, BEng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering on Design and Development of an EMG-Controlled Bionic Arm with Haptic Feedback.
- Nuramal Ameerah binti Mustapa, BBus (Hons) (Major in Business Technology Management) on Bridging the Gap: Understanding the Slow Adoption of Digital Transformation in Brunei.
- Awg Muhammad Saiful Aizam bin Awg Tahir, BSc (Hons) in Computing (Major in Data Analytics) on Paddy AI Chatbot.
- Nur Izzyan binti Duraman, BSc (Hons) on Agrotechnology (Minor in Business) on Optimizing Extraction of Antioxidant from Kale Waste Through Subcritical Water Extraction Using Response Surface Methodology.
- Aiman bin Roslan, BSc (Hons) in Product Design on Solace: Transradial Prosthesis.
- Basma Lachkar, BSc (Hons) in Communication on Communication Gaps between Sports Institutions and Stakeholders in Elite Athletes’ Sports Development.
Resolution
Before departing, His Royal Highness graciously consented to receive a Pesambah from the UTB Student Representative Council with the theme ‘Naskhah Titipan Budi.’ This touching gesture culminated in a photography session with members of the UTB Student Representative Council 2025/2026, creating lasting memories of this extraordinary day.
The festival extends beyond this opening ceremony, featuring an impressive lineup of events. These include Majlis Khatam Al-Quran, UTB Carnival 2025, UTB INNOFAITH 2.0, Wellness in Motion x Byte Walk, International Culture Day 2025, INTER-Faculty Programme, UTB Bersamamu 2.0, Drive The Change: Innovation and Sustainability, and UTBerjaya. Each event contributes to the comprehensive celebration of academic achievement and cultural diversity.
Ultimately, the annual Festival aims to celebrate the students who have completed their studies and will receive their respective degrees at the UTB Convocation Ceremony on 03 September 2025 at the Plenary Hall of the International Convention Centre in Berakas. This marks not just an end, but a new beginning for these future leaders who will shape Brunei’s technological advancement and contribute to global innovation.
As UTB continues its mission of fostering interdisciplinary excellence, this tenth convocation festival stands as a testament to the power of collaboration across disciplines. The graduating students, with their diverse projects spanning engineering, technology, business, and communication, embody the university’s vision of creating solutions for a sustainable and enterprising future. Their journey from students to graduates reflects the transformative power of interdisciplinary education in preparing tomorrow’s innovators.
