OSAKA UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM INBOUND TO OSAKA AND OUTBOUND TO BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Thursday – 9 November 2023,  Osaka University celebrated the International Certificate Program Graduation and Welcoming Ceremony for postgraduate and undergraduate students from UBD, UNISSA, and UTB.

Three local institutions namely Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), and Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) hosted a virtual graduation in which 19  students from each respective institution completed a 9-month special program called Osaka University International Programme in the area of Biotechnology, Halal Science, Technology and Innovation hosted by Osaka University (OU) Japan. The event also held the welcoming ceremony of the fifth batch of the program.

Osaka University International Certificate Program (OUICP) is an interactive, hybrid educational program consisting of both online and study abroad courses that make effective use of Osaka University (OU) ASEAN Campuses. Carried out over 10 months, OUICP (Outbound) sends Osaka University students to study at one of OU ASEAN Campuses, while OUICP (Inbound) invites students from OU ASEAN Campuses for a short-term study abroad experience at Osaka University. Osaka University issues a certificate upon successful completion of the program. In general, OUICP is offered to graduate students of counterpart universities and working people (non-students) who have received at least a bachelor’s degree.

The objective of this programme is to contribute to the solution of issues in the ASEAN region while focusing on the individuality of each country’s society and culture and developing infrastructure to benefit those societies through international, innovative approaches such as co-creation with industry, government, academia, and the community by nurturing advanced global human resources in the fields of bioengineering, applied physics, infectious disease, environmental engineering, halal science, biodiversity and bioresources, and Japanese language and culture.

Attending the momentous event were Dr Haji Azman bin Ahmad, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education Brunei, Professor Yamamoto Beverley Anne, Executive Vice President of  International Affairs (Education), Osaka University, and Dr Joyce Teo Siew Yean, Assistant Vice Chancellor (Global Affairs), Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Dr Hajah Lilly Suzana binti Haji Shamsu, Assistant Rector Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali and representatives from UBD, UNISSA, and UTB.

The Guest of Honour, Dr Hj Azman in his speech shared that the collaboration between Osaka University and the Higher Educational Institutions in Brunei Darussalam had reached its 5th year this year and a lot of successful programs have been achieved.   The collaboration created strong research linkages between the laboratories at Osaka University and the laboratories at the local universities and this leads to  joint publication in top international journals.  Additionally, the student exchange program gave exposure to the students from Osaka University on the culture and tradition, environment and about the people of Brunei Darussalam.

The 19 students studied a few courses under the program such as Biotechnology, Halal Science, Sustainable Development Goals, Advanced Technology for Halalan-Toyyiban, Product and Service Innovation for Halalan-Toyyiban and at the end of the program, all students were required to undertake practical study abroad for 8 weeks which had been done at Osaka University. These students were taught by academicians from four universities (OU, UBD, UNISSA, and UTB).

“Program under OUICP 2022. This program has expanded my knowledge, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, work culture, patent application, and how we can apply and develop our research in this modern era where technology is ever-evolving. Under this program, we had the privilege of visiting prestigious labs like Professor Fujiyama’s, at the International Center for Biotechnology, and Professor Tatsuo Shioda’s Lab, the Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University. It was incredible and inspiring to be able to get a glimpse of the work and research culture in Osaka University.” – Dyg Nurul Fadhila Binti Abg Arbie – Master of Science in Biotechnology by Research, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

 

“I remember when we first embarked on this journey, it was a choice driven by excitement, curiosity, and eagerness. But soon, we realised that this journey plays a part in shaping us to become someone who is better, through learning about ourselves. It was about overcoming challenges while being surrounded by the people who made you feel warm inside. OUICP would be where my memories about how we get to know our classmates at a personal level. It is an unforgettable memory. Throughout this journey, our professors played a pivotal role. They were not just educators but mentors who guided us, challenged us and believed in our potential. They nurtured our intellectual growth and encouraged us to reach for the stars.” – Dayang Siti Nasyitah Binti Awang Haji Ahmad – Master of Halal Science (Halal Management) by Research, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali.

“I am honored to get chosen as one of the OUICP-S first batch. I would like to express my gratitude to Osaka University for giving me the opportunity to join the OUICP-S program. And I would like to thank to all the people involved in the OUICP-S program including Professor Sumimura and Professor Hasan, for arranging the program and the international officers for taking care all 6 of us during our stay in Osaka, Japan. The OUICP-S program really taught me a lot of things and opened my mind to new horizons that I had never seen and met before. Although my major is related to IT, I was able to understand most of the lectures given to us. I’m able to understand the present problems and circumstances that the world is facing much better thanks to those comprehensive lessons.” – Mohammad Abdul Muiz Bin Haji Sahminan – Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Digital Media, Universiti Teknologi Brunei.