Academics not doing enough: HM

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, yesterday lamented that some UBD academics are not doing enough to develop knowledge.

In his titah during the 26th UBD Convocation Ceremony, the Sultan said some lecturers have remained stagnant as their routine is only limited to teaching.

“Is it not strange if someone failed to produce even a single publication or conduct research, despite being in service for many years,” His Majesty said.

The monarch said those who are not industrious and without a vision can be seen as teaching for the sake of meeting their schedules, and not doing anything else after completing their teaching duties.

“Such an academic staff can be described as uncreative. He or she is static or stagnant, and unable to contribute to the advancement and development of knowledge,” His Majesty added.

The sovereign went on to say that it is time for UBD to compete, and not merely stay as a spectator in witnessing other varsities race ahead.

It is impossible to stay competititive without the availability of academic staff who are of high quality, His Majesty said.

As an encouragement for local academics, His Majesty said he had consented for the establishment of Public Higher Education Institutions Academic Staff Service Scheme.

However, His Majesty suggested that only “deserving” academic staff should be eligible for the scheme as it was intended as an appreciation for academics who have excelled based on international standards.

His Majesty said graduates can also be evaluated using a similar assessment.

“For example, there are those who are fascinated with research, whereas others lack or have no interest at all. The quality of both categories of graduates will be different,” he pointed out.

The monarch further said he was disappointed after learning from the news that there were some parents and guardians who still paid little attention towards their children’s attendance at school.

“If it is possible for children’s school attendances to be overlooked by parents, how can they handle the more difficult task of monitoring their children's other activities, such as the tendency to surf the Internet in secret?” His Majesty said.

His Majesty said failure by parents and guardians to give such attention to their children would not see the realisation of the country's vision and aspiration to see the emergence of a generation with excellence.

He urged parents and guardians to reflect upon and question themselves if they had been carrying out their responsibilities to the best of their abilities, for the sake of a generation that would consist of their own children.

Speaking on the importance of higher education as the heart of national development, the Sultan said he was pleased to congratulate UBD’s achievement in attaining a position in the QS Asia University Rankings this year.

“This accomplishment indicated that UBD is increasingly becoming more mature and gaining international recognition. Nevertheless, UBD must bear in mind that there is no finishing line in learning and education, but that they are dynamic and ever-changing,” the monarch said.

“In this regard, I wish to remind UBD to keep running, and not simply walk ahead with weary steps towards its goal of placing itself among the world’s top universities.

“This reminder is also directed to all other institutions of higher learning in the Sultanate.” His Majesty added.

On the topic of research, His Majesty mentioned the Graduate Research Scholarship Scheme (which is offered to both local and international students), and expressed congratulations to the first batch of doctorate students who had graduated under the scheme.

“I would really like to see this scheme aid in the development of research and innovation in areas that can contribute to the country’s economic growth,” the monarch said.On economic matters, His Majesty further said UBD should also make plans to produce marketable graduates who are able to stand on their own, through entrepreneurship.

“Through education, there is also a need to change and even courage to change: from an attitude of waiting for employment, one that is proactive and willing,” he said.

With regards to this, His Majesty noted the National Entrepreneurship Agenda, which has been running at UBD since the start of this year, with the aim to foster entrepreneurship from earlier stages of education.

Moreover, the Sultan also mentioned the establishment of the Centre for Advanced Materials and Energy Sciences, which is responsible for carrying out interdisciplinary research in the field of material science and energy to train human resources to meet the needs of high-tech industries.

“I have taken note that this initiative will see close collaboration between UBD, the Energy Department at the Prime Minister’s Office, and the industry,” said His Majesty.

The monarch then acknowledged that these were all steps that had been taken toward building the capacity and quality of education for the benefit of existing and future current generations.In concluding the titah, the monarch took the opportunity to remind the new UBD graduates to preserve the Bruneian identity based on the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) concept. “Protect it, and hand it down to generations to come,” he said.


Sumber - The Brunei Times