$18m in grants for UBD research studies

UNIVERSITI Brunei Darussalam (UBD) yesterday signed agreements granting $18 million for 15 research projects.

The signing of research agreements for the science and technology projects kicked off the second round that saw UBD a step closer in realising its vision of becoming a first class university and among the top in the region.

The funds provided by the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE) will see the university embark in a wide range of fields to further its research scope.

"The significance of this signing is the research, that is given by JPKE, and to do research and development in the strategic area of energy and biodiversity, food security and climate change. These are the areas that the university is looking into in line with the national plan," said Associate Professor Dr Tan Kha Sheng.

He added that the 15 projects had begun in the middle of last year with some of the projects to be finished as soon as 2012. Dr Tan also said the wide variety of projects would also touch on education and mathematical modelling, as well as energy and biodiversity.

Within the field of energy, there are five research projects dealing on energy management network; development and characterisation of coatings for energy efficient architectural glazing materials; techno economics of wind energy conversion in Brunei Darussalam; the development of compact, low-cost, intermediate low temperature solid oxide fuel cell; and the characterisation of photovoltaic solar cells and modules in a controlled environment.

After this second round of agreements, the university will be moving on to other fields.

"After round two is completed, we are hoping to apply for another round of projects, which will be bigger," said Dr Tan.

"It will be a university-based research into the areas of biodiversity, climate change, food security, Asian studies and new media," he said.

The associate professor emphasised the projects would be more on sustainable research.

"With this research new knowledge will come out, new discoveries and also we will go beyond academic knowledge, into commercialisation and innovation of new products and new patents," said Dr Tan.

He added that the research and development fields was one of the strategic pillars of the university as it bids to become one of the top 50 universities in Asia.

Attending yesterday's event as guest of honour was Vice Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Dr Hj Zulkarnain Hj Hanafi and senior officials from the University. The Brunei Times