Latest news with #BruneiVision2035
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Pop-up market celebrates royal birthday
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam's managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) Junaidi Masri touring the booths. - Borneo Bulletin BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: In conjunction with His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's birthday celebration, the TMJE Pop-Up Market was launched at BIBD Connects on Thursday (July 18) afternoon at Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas. The event features the participation of local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as students from Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (Unissa). Their involvement is aimed at providing meaningful exposure to real-world business environments while encouraging the development of practical skills and an entrepreneurial mindset among youth. The pop-up market will run until July 20 and then from July 25 to 27, operating daily from 4pm to 9pm, offering a vibrant mix of food, crafts and lifestyle products by Bruneian entrepreneurs. Present at the official opening were Unissa Assistant Rector (Student Affairs and Alumni) Dr Lilly Suzana Shamsu and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Junaidi Masri, along with members of BIBD's management and staff. The event is part of BIBD's broader efforts to promote community engagement and support Brunei's entrepreneurial ecosystem through accessible and inclusive initiatives. BIBD aims to create opportunities that uplift and empower others, especially local micro enterprises that form the backbone of the economy. Through platforms such as BIBD Connects, the bank seeks to nurture grassroots entrepreneurship and contribute to a more resilient, self-sustaining community. These efforts also support Brunei Vision 2035, particularly in the areas of economic diversification and the development of a dynamic and sustainable economy driven by local talent and enterprise. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Universiti Teknologi Brunei ranks among top tech universities in Asean
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB), a university focused on innovation through education and research, is now Brunei Darussalam's leading technological university. UTB is also committed to producing outstanding talent for a sustainable, global and enterprising society rooted in the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) national philosophy to help achieve Brunei Vision 2035. UTB's commitment to achieving Brunei Vision 2035 was highlighted by the university's Vice-Chancellor Datin Paduka Professor Dr Zohrah Sulaiman (pic), in her remarks as the guest of honour at the UTB-MIC Computing Degree Programmes and BriCOMP certificate presentation ceremony on Thursday (July 18). She highlighted that UTB is ranked among the top nine technology and engineering universities in Asean by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026. The university also debuted in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, securing a position among the top 801-1000 institutions worldwide and ranking among the 23 universities in Asean. She described this as an impressive accomplishment that reflects UTB's strong focus on academic excellence and innovation. The vice-chancellor also shared a list of the top 15 highest-paying jobs in the world for 2025, which included artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning engineer at number three, data scientist at number four, blockchain developer at number five, investment banker at number seven, cybersecurity specialist at number eight, cloud engineer at number 10, marketing manager at number 11 and management consultant at number 14. She explained that 'tech-centric growth fields like AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity dominate. You may be wondering whether the ones listed above apply to the global markets. They do, and it means that UTB and MIC are preparing you for the world.' She continued, 'We are proud of our accredited programmes. The School of Computing and Informatics has attained accreditation from the British Computer Society (BCS) for all its undergraduate programmes, as well as dual partial accreditation for our Master of Science (By Coursework) in Computing and Information Systems.' BCS accreditation, she added, 'is recognised in more than 200 countries, which means you can work anywhere with a BCS-certified degree.' She also highlighted that the UTB School of Business' undergraduate programmes are accredited by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). EFMD accreditation indicates that a business school has met the organisation's rigorous standards for teaching and research quality, and that its degrees are recognised as credible by employers and other stakeholders. In addition, she said, 'UTB also offers modules to develop soft skills, such as effective communication, entrepreneurship, and ethics.' The university also has facilities to support a passion for information technology, AI and machine learning. 'The Huawei Academy provides industrial training on-site, and the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AiML) Hub is an innovation hub that supports AI talent through education, training, research, and innovation.' – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
The Star
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Brunei Sultan calls for reforms in zakat governance during surprise visit
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during the unannounced visit to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. - BB/ANN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on Tuesday morning (July 8) made an unannounced visit to the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), where the monarch delivered a speech calling for a more efficient and accountable management of zakat, wakaf and Baitulmal affairs in Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty highlighted the divine wisdom behind zakat, explaining that it is a mechanism in Islam that enables the wealthy to share their resources with the less fortunate — a concept that showcases Islam's guidance in financial stewardship. The monarch expressed concern over delays in zakat disbursement, especially for the poor and indebted, and questioned the necessity of prolonged assessment periods that have reportedly caused applicants to wait months or even years. His Majesty questioned, 'Is it not sufficient for officers from the zakat department to conduct field visits together with village heads to quickly assess the applicants' actual conditions?' His Majesty also questioned the effectiveness of digital tools in zakat administration, encouraging the use of digital technology to streamline the evaluation and distribution process to make it 'efficient, fast, accurate and consistent'. The ruler further pressed the department to address communication inefficiencies, which he identified as potential obstacles to achieving national goals, including a high quality of life for citizens as outlined in Brunei Vision 2035. To strengthen institutional performance, His Majesty called for the formation of a steering committee to oversee zakat distribution and development of wakaf lands and Baitulmal assets. He advised that the committee should not be limited to religious scholars, but should also include professionals from entrepreneurship, private sectors and members of the National Welfare System. The monarch also called for the adoption of good governance practices by the Zakat, Wakaf and Baitulmal Department (JUZWAB), along with regular updates on milestones achieved, and urged transparency and vigilance in zakat management to prevent exploitation or misappropriation. Emphasising the importance of community outreach, His Majesty proposed regular public awareness campaigns — including TV advertisements and Friday sermons — to remind the public that zakat is an obligation, and that neglecting it is a grave sin. 'Zakat can lead its payer to paradise,' His Majesty said, adding that the lack of zakat collection may be due to a lack of public understanding, which the Ministry of Religious Affairs must address. His Majesty also posed several key questions to the ministry and JUZWAB, requesting written responses. These include inquiries into the causes of zakat distribution delays, the criteria for determining zakat eligibility across different asnaf groups, and the frequency and efficiency of assessment meetings. The monarch further questioned the existence of poverty statistics in the country and asked how many Bruneians are officially recognised as poor or destitute, as well as the effectiveness of empowerment programmes like PROPAZ in transforming zakat recipients into future zakat contributors. His Majesty concluded by urging ministry officials to uphold the trust placed in them with sincerity and responsibility, reminding them that failure to properly distribute zakat is not only a breach of duty, but also a sin. The visit ended with a Q&A session. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
The Star
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Brunei business conference spotlights innovation-driven growth
A general view of Bandar Seri Begawan from Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas. Brunei is strategically located in one of the world's fastest-growing regions. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: For Brunei to pursue the country's Vision 2035 for a high quality of life, a dynamic and sustainable economy and a well-educated society, growth needs to be driven by innovation, digital progress, sustainability and inclusivity, a government minister said on Tuesday (July 1). Brunei also has to effectively address current global trends and challenges, such as investment in disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence as potential sources of future growth, said Abdul Manaf Metussin, minister of primary resources and tourism, at the Brunei Business Conference 2025 held near the capital on Tuesday. The minister also said Brunei is strategically located in one of the world's fastest-growing regions, offering significant opportunities for growth in deep-tech sectors through advanced, research-driven innovations that address complex challenges. Abdul Saman Ahmad, president of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei and an Asean Business Advisory Council member, said achieving Brunei Vision 2035 takes a whole-of-nation approach, and the private sector has a pivotal role to play, not just in economic growth but also in shaping the future of policy and regional cooperation. Under the theme "Building a Future-Ready Economy: Investment, Innovation and Inclusive Growth," the Brunei Business Conference 2025 gathered over 200 senior policymakers, business leaders, and regional partners for a strategic dialogue on Brunei's economic transformation and its role in a rapidly evolving regional and global landscape. - Xinhua
The Star
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Brunei holds Standards Awareness programme
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei held a Standards Awareness workshop on Monday (June 23) to promote best practices in safety management and environmental accountability, the Brunei Standards and Accreditation Centre at the Ministry of Finance and Economy said. The workshop for government agencies, private enterprises and academic institutions focused on occupational health and safety management as well as greenhouse gas emissions and removals. Nadiah Annasyitah, acting director of Brunei's Standards and Accreditation Centre, said international standards are crucial as foundational tools for building safer, healthier and more sustainable organisations and the nation as a whole. She said the workshop raised national awareness, built institutional capabilities and supported the aspirations outlined in the Brunei Vision 2035 and Brunei Economic Blueprint. - Xinhua
