Gadong, Tuesday 19 May 2026 – The Serikandi Group of Companies through its three of subsidiaries namely Serikandi Oildfield Services Sdn Bhd, Ya-Nur Trading Company & Serikandi Café & Restaurant formalised a strategic partnership with Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) today through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This landmark collaboration bridges academic learning with real-world industrial application, focusing specifically on industry diversification and the advancement of Brunei Darussalam’s halal ecosystem in alignment with Wawasan 2035.

The MoU was signed by Rector of UNISSA, Yang Mulia Dato Seri Setia Dr. Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal on behalf of UNISSA, while Dr. Shaikh Khalid bin Shaikh Haji Ahmad, Chairman and Managing Director of Serikandi Group of Companies, signed on behalf of Serikandi Oilfield Services and Ya-Nur Trading Company, and Puan Hajah Latifah binti Ambran, Onshore Catering Director signed on behalf of Serikandi Café and Restaurant.

Central to the MoU are five strategic pillars of cooperation designed to transform theoretical knowledge into operational excellence. The partnership will facilitate multi-industry cross-exposure internships, providing UNISSA students with hands-on industrial training across oilfield catering, onshore catering, and retail operations. Additionally, both institutions will collaborate on joint research and innovation initiatives centered on understanding halal culture within diverse multi-industry settings. The collaboration also drives knowledge exchange regarding internal halal auditing committees, halal compliance, and advanced food safety awareness. Furthermore, capacity building will be achieved through industry sharing sessions, including student exposure to industrial kitchen operations, while simultaneously establishing structured career development pathways and recruitment opportunities to build a robust local talent pipeline.

Expressing appreciation for this collaboration, UNISSA Rector highlighted the immense practical value the corporate group brings to the Faculty of Halal Science and Sustainable Tourism. He noted that while the university provides the theoretical and scientific framework for the halal sector, Serikandi and its subsidiaries offer an unmatched operational reality. He emphasised that from the strict standards of oilfield catering to the fast-paced environment of retail and food services, this partnership gives students and researchers a complete look at how halal integrity is maintained on the ground, transforming students into industry-ready professionals.

The ceremony concluded with an exchange of tokens of appreciation and a group photo session, symbolising the beginning of a long-term partnership dedicated to developing high-caliber local talent, strengthening Brunei’s halal ecosystem, and bolstering national economic diversification goals.