I P S N EWS L E T T E RNews and updates from Institute of Policy Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam

   The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) is a Graduate School of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), whichwas established in 2013. IPS specialises in unique niche areas of Public Policy, Public Management,Islamic Governance, and Energy & Environmental Policy and Management. IPS offers both taught andresearch degree programmes that are catered for local and international students with diverse academicand professional backgrounds. The Institute’s mission is best captured in the following: “To produce toppolicy graduates with the best leadership qualities, equipped with excellent foundation of knowledge andmarketable skills, who will make a real difference to their nation, society, and the wider globalcommunity”.

IPS | 2019 Vol. 3, No. 1

First International Islamic Governance Symposium

Saturday 21st to Sunday 22nd September2019 -  The Institute of Policy Studies(IPS)  in collaboration with the Instituteof Leadership, Innovation, andAdvancement (ILIA) held the FirstInternational Islamic GovernanceSymposium (IIGS) at the Senate Room,Chancellor Hall, UBD.

In the morning of the first day of theSymposium, an Islamic YouthLeadership Workshop was conducted byILIA. The workshop was designed toequip youth leaders with advancedStrategic Thinking skills, essential tokeep up with the ever-evolving demandsof the Muslim state. Through theworkshop, youth leaders were trained todesign impactful projects, aligned withwith the strategic goals of the zikirnation, the  Maqāsid (objectives) of theShari'ah, and Brunei Vision 2035. 

The IIGS began with the Chairperson'sremarks by Senior Professor Amin AbdulAziz's. He highlighted the importance ofusing a  "methodological interface,connecting the Shari'ah and its potentialareas of application: one constructed forShari'ah scholars and experts in theapplicative fields and collaborative space".

The Symposium featured womenscholars presenting varying topics, whichranged from the use of Maqasid alShari'ah to Muslim women in leadershiproles. On the second day, talks consistedof themes covering  history, IslamicInternational Relations, Islamic financialframework, and  health policy, by ourinternational and local scholars,practitioners, and graduate researchers. 

This year's symposium had the honour ofreceiving sponsorship and support fromvarious companies and individuals. IPSUBD  are extremely  grateful for theircontributions. We would also like tosincerely thank all participants andspeakers who came to the First IIGS.

2019 at a Glance

The First InternationalIslamic GovernanceSymposium

Research Highlight: Energyand Climate Change PolicyResearch at IPS

IPS Seminar Series: Moreinformation inside

News on our students: 5thand 6th Cohorts of MPPM

IPS Collaboration withDefence Academy, RBAF

Educational Trip and Retreatto Kuala Belalong FieldStudies Centre & UluTemburong

Social News and Events

Alumni Article: Reflectionsby Buba K. Touray

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IPS | 2019 Vol. 3, No. 1

Meanwhile on Thursday, 10th October2019, the 9th cohort of the Command andStaff Course completed and graduatedwith the Certificate of Diploma ofDefence and Security Studies and passedStaff Course Junior (PSC(j)). Thegraduation ceremony was held atAuditorium, Defence Academy, RoyalBrunei Armed Forces (RBAF), TanahJambu. This marked the completion of the9th CSC/GDSS programme, whichspanned 40 weeks and delivered by UBDthrough IPS/ILIA.

Present as the guest of honour was YangBerhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja MajorGeneral (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri HajiAwang Halbi Bin Haji MohammadYussof, Second Minister of Defence. Theevent commenced with the recitationwith Surah Al-Fatihah and verses fromSurah An-Nisa by Major Alwaleed RashidMohammed Alkiyumi from Royal AirForce of Oman, the CSC9 participants. 

During the ceremony, a number of special recognition awards were presented to the students of the 9th cohort of CSC. Duringthis event, UBD awarded the student with Academic Excellence Award, which was given to Major Dai Jing from the SingaporeArmed Forces, for achieving the highest grade point average score across all academic modules in the Graduate Diploma (CSC)programme. Congratulations to all!

This year marked another importantmilestone for IPS - in collaboration withthe Institute for Leadership, Innovationand Advancement (ILIA), IPS signed aformal three-year contract with DefenceAcademy of the Royal Brunei ArmedForces (DA RBAF), in which UBD becomesthe main academic provider for theCommand and Staff Course (CSC).

IPS Collaboration with Defence Academy, Royal Brunei Armed Forces

Assistant Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Pg DrMohammad Iskandar Haji Petra signs the contractat the Defence Academy of the Royal Brunei ArmedForces. In attendance was the Vice Chancellor ofUBD, Datin Dr Dayang Hajah Anita BinurulZahrina Binti POKLWDSS Haji Awang Abdul Aziz.

During the contract-signing Ceremony atthe Defence Academy, in her speech, IPSDirector Dr. Mahani Haji Hamdan,expressed that this collaboration betweenIPS and DA RBAF demonstrates "oursociopolitical maturity as a people, in beingable to place our trust in each other'scapabilities, and forming throughcollaborative efforts an enhanced andmore profound capacity  thrust, andutilising those new capacities for thecommon good of Negara BruneiDarussalam."

On Thursday, 10th January 2019, the 9thSeries of the Command and Staff Coursecommenced with an opening ceremonyheld at the Defence Academy, RoyalBrunei Armed Forces (RBAF). The eventwas officiated by Major GeneralPengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan BinPengiran Haji Mahmud, Commander ofthe RBAF.

The 9th Cohort consisted of 30 students,whereby 13 were internationalparticipants from South Korea, Oman,Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, China,United States of America, Saudi Arabia,Philipines, New Zealand, Thailand,Indonesia and Bangladesh. Officersrepresenting Brunei Darussalam arefrom Defence Academy Royal BruneiArmed Forces, Royal Brunei Land Force,Special Forces Regiment, Royal Brunei AirForce, Royal Brunei Police Force, andRoyal Brunei Navy.

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IPS 2019 | MPPM News Vol. 3, No. 1

Welcoming MPPM 6th Cohort & Farewell to 5th Cohort

On Tuesday, 23rd July 2019, IPS received and welcomedour 6th Cohort MPPM and this year, we also welcomedMaster of Defence and Security Studies (MDSS) studentsto the faculty with an institute orientation session. Theevent was held at the Masywarah Room,  and beganwith a briefing by IPS academic and administrativestaff, followed with a sharing session from the outgoing5th Cohort students. 

The C6 students are Mr. Fayiz Badran from Jordan,Ms. Mastulah Nakalule from Uganda, Ms. Mas LizaMaslan from Malaysia, Colonel Hj. Haszahaidi Hj.Ahmad Daud and Ms. Masridah Hj. Mahmud fromBrunei.  During this event, IPS also bid farewell toour outgoing  5th cohort MPPM students with apresentation of souvenirs.

We wish all the best to our  new students in theirstudies.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES!Tuesday, 22nd August 2019 - UBD held its 31stConvocation Ceremony at the Chancellor Hall. IPSstaff and members would like to extend ourwarmest congratulations to our first ever graduatefrom our Master of Islamic Governance, Ms.Syazana binti Haji Mohammad Fauzi, whose thesisrevolved around Brunei's health policies andIslamic Governance. And to our 5th Cohort MPPMGraduates, Ms. Pg Khairil Bahriah Pg Haji Ali, Mr.Buba Touray, Ms. Safarah Haji Jamaludin and Ms.Lidiia Voevodina. Congratulations!

Bidding Adieu to our International Alumni

August 1st, 2019 - We bid goodbye to our MPPM student from Russia, Ms. Lidiia Voevodina. Meawhile,our other alumni Buba Touray from Gambia left in September. We wish them well in their futureendeavours!

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IPS 2019 | Alumni Article Vol. 3, No. 1

Reflections of Brunei and the MPPM Programme, by Mr. Buba K. Touray

"I came up against a lot of highly intelligentand accomplished competitors from around theworld, and I was lucky to have been selected

for this scholarship"

My name is Buba K. Touray. I am 32 years old from TheRepublic of the Gambia, West Africa. I was among the 5thCohort MPPM Scholars 2018/19. Sometime in June 2018, Iwon one of the most competitive scholarships in the world topursue the Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM)Programme at the Institute of Policy Studies at UniversitiBrunei Darussalam. I am now the second African student toreceive this prestigious scholarship, which is different from theregular Brunei Government scholarships, which took me on anacademic odyssey to South East Asia and North America.

MPPM is a well-organised and well-designed programme, it isstructured in such a way that the scholars are well exposed andwell prepared for the future challenges and current issuessurrounding Public Policy and other related policy problems. Atsome point the scholars of the MPPM at IPS can learn farbeyond the boundaries of the classroom and interact withpeople of walks of life through seminars and conferences. 

This has helped me to learn and  share new knowledge andideas  with both local and  international students.Through  my  interaction with other  international students Iwas  able to learn a lot. In a nutshell, I  strongly believe thatBrunei is a safe haven for International Students. The countryis not only blessed with high quality standard of education, butalso has very high-quality health care system, which is cheapand  affordable for international  students. Brunei has one  ofthe finest and conducive  environments for learning.  Thegenerosity of  people of  Brunei has also been memorable  forme.

It is my dream to pursue PhD in  Brunei if I have theopportunity. I  gained very good knowledge and  experienceparticularly in terms  of Islamic knowledge, whereas  beforecoming to Brunei I  had a very limited knowledge in  Islam,thanks to this programme I was  able to study both PoliticalIslam  and Islamic Governance as part  of the majorrequirements. Upon successful  completion of thesetwo  modules my knowledge in Islam  has greatly increased. Iwant to  take this opportunity to express my  sincere gratitudeand thanks to the  staff and the management of IPS,  UBD,colleagues and the entire people of Brunei for this scholarshipaward. I am very  grateful and I really appreciate  this uniqueopportunity.

                                                           - Buba K. Touray, The Gambia

As the fifth cohort of MPPM scholars, I had the privilege toparticipate in a series of seminars, conferences and workshopsorganised by the Institute of Policy Studies, which furtherenabled me to interact with people of all walks of life. This hasfurther helped me to build confidence in public speaking,presentation skills which have improved both my criticalanalyis and interpersonal skills.  I am beyond thrilled to beamong the three international students selected and being theonly African student to be selected for this prestigiousscholarship last year. I was extremely lucky to benefit from thisscholarship from a highly competitive poop of applicants.

As for my experience in Brunei Darussalam, studying in Bruneihas not only given  me the opportunity to receive  qualityeducation, but also  further afforded me excellent  criticalthinking skills, which  has impacted positively in my  life.Meeting with diverse groups  of International Studentsin Brunei has added advantage for me. 

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IPS 2019 | Research News Vol. 3, No. 1

Research Highlight:Energy and Climate Change Policy Research Initiatives at IPS

The Energy Policy and Management (EPM) Cluster of theInstitute of Policy Studies (IPS) has been involved in severalenergy and climate change policy research studies since itsinception 2 years ago attracting financial support fromvarious research grants and consultancies.

These initiatives were sparked by UBD's initial grant on the'Deployment of Low-Carbon Energy and TransportTechnologies: Policy Options and Implications for BruneiDarussalam' with the overall research objective ofundertaking policy research that promotes the deploymentof low-carbon and environmentally friendly energy andtransport technologies in Brunei Darussalam.

Another research grant was provided by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) on the'Theoretical and Empirical Studies on Energy Poverty in the ASEAN' with the objective of undertaking ananalysis on energy poverty implications of electricity tariff reforms. Other research activities carried by the EPMCluster are in collaboration with the Brunei National Energy Research Institute (BNERI). This includes, i) a grantprovided by the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) to carry out a seminar-roundtablediscussion on the 'Role of Hydrogen in ASEAN Energy Transition', and ii) a research consultancy on 'ElectricityLicense Fees Study' for the Electricity Authority of Brunei Darussalam to develop a methodology for electricityindustry license fees. 

EPM also participates in several BNERI consultancy projects such as; i) Road Mapfor Energy Management Policy in Brunei Darussalam, ii) Study on Shifting toHydrogen Society in Brunei Darussalam, and iii) Feasibility Study of Floating SolarPV. In the field of climate change policy, EPM regularly participates and providesinputs to various initiatives of the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat. Otheractivities include, i) chapter contribution to a book project of Boston University'sFrederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, entitledGoverning Climate Change: Critical Perspective from Southeast Asia, ii)participation in a regional research network in Southeast Asia on ClimateGeoengineering initiated by Boston University, Hong kong University of Scienceand Technology and Solar Radiation Governance Management Initiatives.

With the support from the Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry (MEMI)and ERIA, EPM  organised a national workshop on 'Brunei Darussalam'sTransition to Green Buildings' in November 2018. Another roundtable event onthe 'Role of Hydrogen in ASEAN Energy Transition' will be organise in February2020 in collaboration with MEMI, ERIA and ASEAN COST.

EPM's principal investigator, Associate Professor Dr Romeo Pacudan presenteda paper in a by-invitation only international workshop on the transition ofPower Systems organised by the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, with thesupport from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on 18 and 19 March2019 in Tokyo, Japan, presenting a paper on Power System Transition Scenariosfor Brunei Darussalam. Dr Pacudan also chaired the 8th Meeting of the EnergyResearch Institute Network (ERIN) held in Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel on 1September 2019. 

ERIN also co-organised the 2nd East Asia Energy Forum held in the AtheneeHotel on 2 September 2019. The forum was also attended by 3 ASEAN energyministers including Brunei's Energy Minister, Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny BinHaji Mohammad Hussein. 

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IPS | 2019 Highlights Vol. 3, No. 1

IPS Seminar Series

On Wednesday,13th March 2019, IPSorganised its first Seminar SeriesSession  for the year 2019/2020 onIslamic Governance on the HealthCare of Brunei Darussalam By MissSyazana, who have just recentlygraduated in  Master of IslamicGovernance. 

On Thursday, 3rd September 2019, IPSheld its second Seminar Series onTechnocracy as Power: Smart Cities inTheory and Practice presented by OurEminent Visiting Professor, AssistantProfessor, Dr Kris Hartley, from theEducation University of Hong Kong.

On Saturday, 14th September 2019,IPS seminar continues with a lectureon Identifying 'Great People': SolvingTeacher Recruitment and Retentionpresented by Dr Hamizah Haidi,PhD in Faculty of Education,University of Cambridge.

IPS seminar series continued on Tuesday, 15th October 2019 with a presentation by our PhDStudent in Public Policy, Mr Abdul Malik Omar with a titled, "Participatory Governance in Relationto MPK Junjongan".

Abdul Malik is a treasurer for MPK Junjongan representing the interests of 2, 300 residents ofKampong Junjongan who wish to improve the socio-economic aspect of the country. Byhighlighting upon the theories of Participatory Governance, Social Capital and from his ownexperience as a council member of his village through Action Research by highlighting therelevance, prospects, and challenges facing MPKs. 

In his presentation, not only did he share the continued relevance of the institution as a source tonurture and develop human capital but also, he also shared several policy recommendations toaddress existing gaps in articulating the idea of Participatory Governance in the Brunei context.

On 30th October 2019, IPS organised a closed info-sharing session andwelcomed a Fellow Visiting Professor, Dr. Scott Valentine, a Professor andAssociate Dean of Sustainability and Urban Planning from RoyalMelbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University.  

During the session, he shared a talk onthe  topic, "Productivity 2.0: CircularEconomy". 

In his talk, he emphasised thatproductivity and profitability can beachieved  through resource efficiencyand  Closed Loop Strategies, which areaimed to minimise waste; ensuring theproper conservation of our naturalenvironment. 

"Darkness to Light" in Islamic Corporate Governance

Before the end of 2019, IPS organised one lastseminar on 'Darkness to Light' in IslamicCorporate Governance, presented by Dr IznanTarip. His presentation stressed on the "darkside" of organisations, which not only involves acorrupting mechanism in general, but alsospecific issues that are purposefully 'brushedunder the carpet' by such organisations.

Not only by looking through the dark side from the Islamic perspective, but Dr Iznan also analysed the 'light side', as part of thedynamic interplay between good and bad, which also inevitably  form 'grey' areas, in which organisational members struggle tonavigate.  The seminar also illustrated a  case study,  which explored the interplay and proposal of strategies for organisations toachieve equilibrium.

Vol. 3, No. 1IPS | 2019 Highlights

An Appreciation and Farewell to Associate Professor, Dr. Abu Umar Faruq

Monday, 25th February 2019, with much gratitude and appreciation, we bidfarewell to our dear Associate Professor, Dr. Abu Umar Faruq, who is tofurther pursue his career at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah.

Thank you Dr. Umar for all your contributions and friendship. Best wishesfrom all your colleagues and students at UBD.

Lunch with Dr. Scott Valentine

Tuesday, 30th October 2019,IPS academics, staff  andMPPM Students joinedDirector of IPS, Dr. Mahani Hj.Hamdan,  and Visitingprofessor Dr. Scott Valentinefor lunch at the SimpurHerbal Restaurant on campus. 

2019 Hari Raya AidilfitriOn Tuesday, 25th June 2019, IPS organised itsown Hari Raya "Open Office" together withcolleagues from C3L, TLC and ILIA. This year'sevent was held at Ground Floor, ILIA Atrium. 

We received many guests from all over theuniversity - Dean, Directors, Lecturers, AssistantRegistrars, and Students from other faculties andInstitutes, including Datin Dr. Hajah AnitaBinurul Zahrina Binti POKLWDSS Haji AwangAbdul Aziz, UBD Vice Chancellor.

We would like to extend our sincerest thanks tothose who came to our open office and we hopeyou enjoy the food and company!

Educational Trip and Retreat to Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre & Ulu Temburong

On Wednesday, 7th August 2019, IPS staff and MPPMStudents made a retreat and educational trip to the KualaBelalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC) and Ulu TemburongNational Park.

The educational trip was an effort to engage with nature inorder to understand the context of environmentalpreservation, research and education, especially pertainingto the management and coordination of activities at theCentre as well as Brunei's National Parks. 

This is much of relevance to our interests in Energy andEnvironmental Policy and Management, as well as tostudents of the Master of Public Policy and ManagementProgramme. IPS in aim to show Brunei's unique rainforestsand its potential for current and future conservation andhow that interacts with tourism opportunities.

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