Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) provides high quality education in sciences, business, economics, policy studies, engineering, medicine and social sciences. In a relatively short period, UBD has advanced and expanded in academics and infrastructure, producing influential leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals.
The university introduced the GenNEXT programme in 2009, allowing students to tailor their studies according to their learning styles. Its pioneering Discovery Year programme allows students to study abroad through its partnership with universities and institutions across six continents. UBD’s research activities are supported by the government in funding and infrastructure.
UBD has seen an increase of graduate students and collaborators coming to UBD to conduct research. With the increased joint academic programmes, research collaborations and networks, UBD’s active partnerships with institutions worldwide have refined UBD’s teaching and research output at the university. UBD continues to be one of the leading higher education institutions in Brunei Darussalam.
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) was established in 2007 to sustain and support the country in upholding Islam. The university has five faculties: Faculty of Usuluddin; Faculty of Shariah and Law; Faculty of Arabic Language; Faculty of Islamic Economics and Finance; and Faculty of Islamic Development Management.
Each faculty offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes ranging from Usuluddin, Shariah, Islamic Law, Arabic Language, Islamic History, Islamic Finance to Business Management programmes.
In addition to its core programmes, UNISSA offers additional courses to provide students with a competitive edge so they will thrive in any environment while portraying the virtues of a devout Muslim. Some of these courses include Al-Qur’an, Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), Islamic Virtues and Entrepreneurship.
Students of Bachelor’s Degree programmes who have obtained CGPA 3.50 and above throughout the first two years of study are given an opportunity to study abroad for a year at any of UNISSA’s partner universities in the Middle East, United Kingdom (UK), Morocco or Malaysia.
The study abroad programme aims to provide experience studying overseas under different education systems, ways of life, and cultures.
Alternatively, students in their third year undergo industrial training to gain work experience and insights into the day-to-day operations at selected organisations.
With the increase in student enrollment, UNISSA is becoming the choice for local and international students to further their education in Islamic studies.
The Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB) offers training programmes in religious teaching in Brunei at the certificate, diploma, degree, and postgraduate levels. The college’s goal is to shape a knowledgeable, pious and devout society and nation according to the teachings of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jama’ah and Syafi’e Sect, Islam and Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB).
KUPU SB has three main faculties: Education, Syariah and Usuluddin. Meanwhile, its five centres are the Centre of Core Knowledge, Language Centre, Postgraduate Studies Centre and Research, Ahli Sunnah Wal Jama’ah Understanding Studies Centre and Fiqh Al-Usrah Centre.
At Diploma level, KUPU SB offers HND in Religious Teaching and Diploma in specialised courses. A bachelor’s degree is available in general religious teaching with a minor in Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah studies, Islamic philosophy and thought, Islamic finance, early childhood education, Islamic guidance and counselling, Islamic educational multimedia, Islamic social science education, Islamic health education, entrepreneurship in Islamic education, Dakwah and leadership, Fiqh and Usul fiqh, special needs education, Malay language and literature and Malay Islamic Monarchy.
Post-graduate programmes include PhD and masters in religious teaching in Usuluddin, Syariah, Islamic Education, History and Islamic Civilization, Islamic literature, Arabic language and the study of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jama’ah.
The Postgraduate Diploma of Religious Teaching is offered to people who have a bachelor’s degree or master’s either in Islamic Religious Studies or from other fields, and wish to pursue a teaching qualification.
A wide range of co-curriculum activities are available for KUPU SB students. This includes entrepreneurship, Islamic calligraphy, Islamic medicine, first aid, sewing, MIB Manners, scout team, sports, Talaqqi turath, leadership, public speaking and more. KUPU SB continues to work towards becoming a renowned religious teaching institution in the region.
Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) was set up in 2014 as a post-secondary institution providing technical and vocational education. It was created by merging the Department of Technical Education and seven technical and vocational schools nationwide.
Under IBTE, the seven schools are categorised into two: IBTE Central and IBTE Satellite. IBTE Central has four campuses under its wings, namely IBTE Sultan Saiful Rijal Campus, IBTE Nakhoda Ragam Campus, IBTE Mechanical Campus and IBTE Business Campus.
Meanwhile, IBTE Satellite has three campuses, namely IBTE Jefri Bolkiah Campus, IBTE Sultan Bolkiah Campus and IBTE Agro-Technology Campus. These campuses conduct various programmes from energy and engineering to agriculture and business.
Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) was formerly known as Institut Teknologi Brunei (ITB). Its establishment in 1986 was supported by Leeds Polytechnic, UK (now known as Leeds Metropolitan University), showing UTB’s early aspiration to become a local institution that strives for international recognition.
In 2008, UTB was upgraded from a higher learning institution offering Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in Engineering, Business and Computing to a university, and was then changed to Universiti Teknologi Brunei in 2016. UTB specialises in the area of Engineering, Business, Computing, Applied Sciences & Mathematics and Design.
Since the upgrade, the university has seen tremendous development including the expansion of its academic programmes portfolio, establishment of partnerships with industries and universities, embarking on the process of programme accreditation by professional bodies, and intensification of research activities.
Over the years, UTB has signed numerous agreements with prestigious organisations in the country and around the world to collaborate in research, education and training programmes.
This includes the exchange of undergraduate and postgraduate students, industrial internships, exchange of academics, joint research, conferences, seminars and other projects.
UTB made its first appearance in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Ranking (QSWUR) 2019 at 442, evaluated against 4,763 institutions from 151 countries. The university rose by 63 places in the 2020 ranking and is ranked at 379.
In the 2019 edition of QS Asia University Rankings, UTB is ranked at 181, the top 36 per cent among over 500 institutions across the continent. In the 2020 edition, UTB is ranked at 137, making UTB among the top 150 universities in Asia.
UTB is the only local university to receive a fivestar ranking from the QS Stars rating, and the first to acquire the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification by Bureau Veritas. With its hands-on approach and industry-based programmes, UTB has produced graduates who are highly valued by local employers and readily accepted by top universities around the world.
In terms of research, UTB strives to become a university that contributes to the enrichment of knowledge and solving contemporary issues that focus on energy, sustainable built environment, agri-food, digital and creativity, society and enterprise and wellness. In 2018, the Centre for Research in Agri-food Science & Technology (CrAFT) was established to support the nation’s aspiration to diversify its economy by strengthening the agri-food industry using science and technology.
UTB has developed its new five-year Strategic Plan 2019-2023, focussing on four strategic areas: Quality Education, Independent Learners, Translational Research and Quadruple Helix Engagement. Successful implementation of initiatives under these focus areas within the fiveyear period will see the university improving its global prominence while making a strong impact and contribution to the country’s human resource, industrial and enterprising capabilities.
UTB’s vision is to become a global university impacting society and its mission is to nurture socially responsible talents that are deeply rooted in Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) values and committed to building a global and entrepreneurial society in pursuit of innovation and industry-relevant capabilities, towards the fulfilment of Brunei Vision 2035.
Laksamana College of Business (LCB) was established in 2003 in partnership with the Kensington College of Business (KCB) in London, UK and Abdul Razak Holdings, Brunei Darussalam. They are the first institution in Brunei to be honoured with the prestigious ASIC global accreditation.
LCB is a premier UK education provider in Brunei in IT and computing related courses, with its Pearson BTEC (UK) Diploma, HNC and HND computing programmes. LCB also offers the Pearson BTEC in Hospitality Management for students looking to enter the growing hospitality industry.
In 2015, LCB introduced full-fledged degree courses in the country, awarded by the University of Chester (UoC), UK. The degree courses at LCB include computer science, accounting and finance, business management and marketing.
On top of being awarded with UK degrees, students also have the opportunity to visit UoC and KCB first-hand. Introduced in 2018, the LCB-UoC-KCB Synergy Alliance provides the optimum environment for students to acquire international education and experience to succeed in a global environment.
LCB continues to provide initiatives to future leaders with its recently established Incuvation Centre. The centre primarily focusses on mentoring and providing advisory support to aspiring entrepreneurs and early stage startups across four verticals: ICT, Eco-tourism, Business and Social impact.
A number of startups have signed up for the Incuvation Programme, one of which was able to open a stationery shop at the LCB library with the help of a local investor.
In 2019, LCB introduced its Culinary School, offering the City & Guilds, London Programme in Food Preparation and Cooking. Recognised by employers all around the world, the programme is ideal for candidates ranging from those new to the kitchen to experienced professionals.
The programme covers the main elements of food preparation and specialist patisserie knowledge and skills.
This year, LCB added four more undergraduate and three postgraduate degree courses by UoC. Noting the gap in progression for its students pursuing hospitality, LCB now provides degree courses in events and festival management, as well as international tourism management.
LCB also expanded the range of computing degree options by introducing BSc (Hons) Applied Computing and BSc (Hons) Software Engineering. All of LCB’s Chester degree courses are available in full time and part time study mode.
The college recently hit another milestone as the first private institution in the country to provide postgraduate programmes with its MSc International Finance, MSc Management and MSc Advanced Computer Science. LCB’s new postgraduate degree courses will launch in August 2020.
In January 2020, LCB launched its LCB Sports Centre in collaboration with MINI Brunei, making LCB the first ever private college to have its own sports facility. The Sports Centre is managed by the Student Council Sports Department and is located at the college carpark opposite Emporium, Batu Satu. It is free to use for all LCB students and staff.
International Graduate Studies College (IGS College) was established in 2002 and started operations in 2004, offering vocational education and training related to business and information technology. The college provides an alternative pre-university education for ‘O’ level leavers through certificate, diploma and HND programmes.
IGS College is the first college to offer diplomas from the Brunei Darussalam Technical and Vocational Education Council (BDTVEC) by developing their own courses. Undergraduate programmes are also available.
The college caters to mature students, providing part-time options for professional development among working adults to advance their careers. Since its establishment, IGS College has yielded more than 200 graduates from different programmes, now working in various public and private sectors.
Cosmopolitan College of Commerce and Technology (CCCT) is another private higher education institution in the country and offers business and technology courses across different levels as well as pre-national diploma courses of BDTVEC.
The college takes pride in its approach to education. With a strong line-up of industry-oriented lecturers who can adapt to a modern and structured method, the college provides a well-rounded learning experience through consultative coaching and workshops giving students and opportunity to explore new skills and boosting their employability.
In November 2019, a total of 374 students of CCCT graduated in HNDs, diplomas and certificates in IT, business and creative media. The college has produced a total of 2,937 graduates since its establishment in 2004.
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