Top scholars aim to strengthen research

Hj Abd Hanif Dato Paduka Hj Mahadi (L) and Siti Nornadhirah Hj Amdani holding their UBD Chancellor’s Scholar award at Hilton Hotel, Park Lane in London last Sunday. BT/Fadli Zaini

LONDON

THE two Bruneians who received the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Chancellor’s Scholar aims to contribute to research development in the sultanate.

Hj Abd Hanif Dato Paduka Hj Mahadi and Siti Nornadhirah Hj Amdani received the scholarship award from His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam during the monarch’s meet and greet with students at Hilton Hotel, Park Lane in London last Sunday.

“(The scholarship) is looking for people who are really keen in their research, and also willing to contribute to the country with their research,” said Hj Abd Hanif.

The 25-year-old is doing a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry at University of Oxford.

Hj Abd Hanif, who has been studying in Oxford for nine years, said he looks to Wawasan 2035 as hispurpose to play a role in the country’s development, while creating a knowledge-based economy.

“What I’m really keen in Chemistry is about how in Brunei we are trying to diversify our oil and gas industry; my research is all about alternative energy and renewable energy in so making the energy industry more efficient,” he told The Brunei Times on the sidelines of the meet and greet with His Majesty.

Like Hj Abd Hanif, Siti Nornadhirah looked forward to life after her PhD in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University of Oxford.

She said she would like to offer knowledge and research to future generations at UBD, which she felt lacked expertise in reproductive science.

“With Dr Zul (vice-chancellor) and Dr Anita (assistant vice-chancellor) at UBD, I can see a lot of changes: people are becoming more open-minded because of the Discovery Year.”

UBD introduced Discovery Year to broaden students’ knowledge and provide them the opportunity to experience life outside of the university through an internship, a study abroad programme, or a community outreach programme.

“Hopefully, by the time I come back, things are still changing but in a positive direction.

“I hope to be in UBD doing something I love and hopefully be a lecturer to pass my knowledge to future generations, and at the same time do what I love to do, that is research,” she added.

The Brunei Times