Brunei Research Articles

The potentials of University–Industry Collaboration (UIC) for agriculture from diverse stakeholders’ perspectives

PurposeUniversity–Industry Collaboration (UIC) is crucial for enhancing sectoral performance and competitiveness. This study focuses on investigating the challenges and solutions to achieving effective UIC in Brunei Darussalam’s agricultural sector. This sector is pivotal in diversifying the economy away from historical dependence on oil and gas, thereby promoting sustainability.Design/methodology/approachAdopting an interpretivist stance, this study prioritised subjective views through semi-structured interviews with 20 diverse participants, including government officials, agri-business professionals, farmers, an agri-tech company and academicians.FindingsThe findings highlight key challenges to successful UIC, including varying stakeholder needs and goals, limited proactive engagement and inadequate funding. Overcoming these barriers necessitates the provision of financial support and supportive mechanisms to agricultural stakeholders, along with fostering active participation in collaborative efforts. Enhancements in both academic and practical aspects are also essential for addressing these challenges effectively.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides practical insights for stakeholders in industry, academia and government to collaboratively improve sectoral performance. Given its qualitative nature, the findings may not be universally generalisable beyond the contexts examined. Future research should validate these findings across diverse settings to enhance the transferability and applicability of UIC strategies.Originality/valueThis study addresses a crucial gap in the literature by examining UIC in agricultural contexts, particularly in developing countries such as Brunei, where research in this area is scarce. Moreover, this study’s findings may have relevance beyond the immediate context, as they provide rich and detailed insights into UIC dynamics from diverse stakeholders' perspectives, which can be applicable to similar settings in other developing countries.

Equitable education and social impacts: Examining the learning theories that influence educators' pedagogical practices

High-quality, equitable, and inclusive education is essential for both individual and societal advancement. Educators play a crucial role in enhancing educational standards through effective pedagogical practices. This study investigates the influence of learning theories on educators' pedagogical strategies. A survey was conducted with 1845 educators from various educational levels in Brunei Darussalam. While educators demonstrated an understanding of behaviorism and cognitive theories, the results revealed a pronounced preference for constructivism. This approach allows educators to relate prior learning experiences, foster collaborative engagement, and provide constructive feedback. Furthermore, the results indicated that demographic factors, including gender, age, subject area, and administrative duties, affected educators’ pedagogical beliefs. The results emphasize the need for tailored, inclusive, and subject-specific professional development for educators to improve educational standards and promote inclusivity.

The Impact of Youth Leadership Program on Perceived Employability Skills: Evidence from Brunei Darussalam

Youth leadership programs foster skills development in youth which are pivotal for gaining successful careers and being more employable throughout their career. Given the concerning youth unemployment issues in Brunei, the study aims to highlight the importance of youth leadership programs and examine their influence on perceived employability skills. By utilising structural equation modelling to analyse the survey data gathered from 229 samples of participants from youth leadership programs, it was revealed that the impact of learning involving skills-based and attitudinal outcomes has significant positive relationships with perceived employability skills. The results further confirmed the role of behavioural outcomes as a mediating variable in the relationship between learning and perceived employability skills. Findings from this study can be valuable for program designers, practitioners, and stakeholders in contributing to the process of structuring and making ongoing improvements to these programs to align with the essential employability skills. It also offers youth the foundation to be employable in the 21st-century job market, by highlighting the importance of youth leadership programs as a channel through which youth acquire desirable capabilities necessary for attaining a set of attributes that reflect the employability skills sought by employees in the current competitive job market. Therefore, the study can be a starting point in moving forward to mitigate the unemployment issues in Brunei through improving programs to meet the demand of employers concerning employability skills. The study provides notable contributions to the existing body of literature on youth leadership development in Brunei as well as contributing to a few other studies in the Asian region to demonstrate the impact of youth leadership programs on employability skills perceptions.

Fostering Global Branding Prominence of Public Higher Education Institutions in Brunei Darussalam through Strategic Resources of Global Collaboration and Digital Transformation

Fostering Global Branding Prominence of Public Higher Education Institutions in Brunei Darussalam through Strategic Resources of Global Collaboration and Digital Transformation

Demystification of Readiness, Security, and Technological Enhancements in the Adoption of a Cashless Economy

The adoption of a cashless economy was accelerated globally by the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brunei Darussalam was not excluded from this trend, as pandemic-related restrictions were implemented to ensure the safety of its population. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, this research paper examines the factors influencing the readiness and acceptance of a cashless economy among working society in Brunei Darussalam. The integrated concepts of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technology Readiness Index (TRI) are applied to examine perceptions impacting their acceptance and readiness to continue adopting a cashless economy. The methodology includes a literature review and the use of secondary data from government reports and industry publications. A quantitative approach is employed, utilizing an online survey to collect non-probability samples from 212 respondents. The main instruments used in the survey are structured questionnaires. The study’s findings show that factors such as the assessment of payment modes, technological development, digital literacy, knowledge, regulatory policies, and security concerns significantly affect working society’s perceptions, readiness, and acceptance of a cashless economy. These results provide insights for policymakers and stakeholders on the key factors influencing continued cashlessness adoption and shaping societal behavior towards cashless payments.

E-waste management in achieving SDGS in Negara Brunei Darussalam: Maqasid Shariah Perspective

‘Electronic waste’, ‘Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment’ or commonly known as ‘E-waste’ or ‘WEEE’ is referred to any electrical object or equipment that no longer possesses any value which has been disposed of by its owner. As other unused items, E-waste, which has not been used and thrown away as waste without being intended for reuse, becomes becomes a big problem to contemporary life. Due to its complex chemical component and inorganic toxic material, E-waste requires special treatment and management different from that of conventional waste. Incorporating e-waste management into the framework of Maqasid of the Shariah provides a holistic approach to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Brunei. By harmonizing the protection of religion, life, intellect, progeny and wealth with sustainability principles, this approach not only tackles the environmental challenges associated with e-waste but also ensures the well-being of the community in a manner that is in line with the Islamic teachings. To carry out a detailed analysis of e-waste management in achieving SDGs in Negara Brunei Darussalam, a qualitative approach is adopted in order to fulfil the research objectives and a semi-structured interview method is used by the researchers. A total of 10 employees from 6 organizations (inclusive of both government and private sector) were interviewed. The results have shown issues, problems and threats posed by e-waste with time consuming, health concerns, and a lack of awareness to be the main highlights. Aside, an effort from the government body in introducing the ‘Extender Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme’ in handling and managing e-waste was also discussed. By nurturing a culture of environmental responsibility, increasing awareness through education and implementing efficient waste management approaches, Brunei can not only address the immediate risks associated with e-waste but also contribute to the global pursuit of the SDGs in a way that is spiritually and materially rewarding.

MSME Awareness of Islamic Profit and Loss Sharing in Brunei Darussalam

MSME Awareness of Islamic Profit and Loss Sharing in Brunei Darussalam

The Impact of Policy Quality and Political Stability on Foreign Direct Investment in ASEAN Countries: An Institutional Economics Analysis

This investigation pivots on the impact of policy quality and political stability on foreign direct investment within ASEAN countries. Both facets form essential components of a country's political risk profile; a lower risk profile, characterized by sturdy policy quality and political stability, tempts investors to channel their capital into preferred investment destinations. Our research employs a panel data regression analysis across seven ASEAN nations; Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam, from 2012 to 2022. The Common Effects Model emerged as the optimal panel model during our study. We found that policy quality negatively impacts foreign direct investment, signifying that investments are perceived unprofitable due to the policy quality in the ASEAN region. In counterpoint, political stability has a positive effect, confirming that stable political circumstances in the ASEAN region draw investor interest. These significant findings validate that policy quality and political stability significantly sway foreign direct investment within ASEAN countries, making them crucial considerations for prospective investors.

Investigating the prevalence burden of peptic ulcer disease in older adults aged 70+ from 1990 to 2019: an analysis of Global Disease Burden Studies

Background Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) affects individuals aged ≥70 years globally, exerting a significant impact on their health and well-being. Understanding its epidemiological evolution and associated factors is crucial for guiding interventions and improving management. Methods This study utilized Global Burden of Disease Study data to examine the prevalence and temporal changes of PUD in individuals aged 70 years and older between 1990 and 2019. The analysis included assessing estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) to investigate temporal trends and regional variations. Results Over the past 30 years, the number of individuals aged 70 years and above suffering from PUD globally has increased from 1 065 730 cases in 1990 to 1 608 463 cases in 2019. Despite an increasing number of cases, the prevalence of PUD among the elderly has exhibited a steady decline, with an EAPC of −1.47 (95% confidence interval: −1.57 to −1.37) over this timeframe. In 2019, the prevalence rates of PUD among individuals aged 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, and 85 years and older were 313.36, 365.77, 388.45, and 352.51 per 100 000 population, respectively. South Asia, high-income North America, and Central Sub-Saharan Africa were the regions with the highest prevalence rates of PUD in 2019, with rates of 624.90, 575.48, and 474.80 per 100 000 population, respectively. At the national level, Ireland, Australia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, and Bangladesh have effectively managed the burden of PUD among the elderly, achieving the greatest reduction. Additionally, regions with higher levels of socioeconomic development tended to have relatively lower burdens of PUD among the elderly, and prevalence rates varied across different regions and age groups. Conclusion Our study highlights the enduring burden of PUD among the global elderly population, emphasizing the significance of tailored interventions to address this pressing issue. This research underscores the critical need for targeted public health strategies aimed at improving outcomes specifically for older adults affected by PUD.

Temporal assessment of forest cover dynamics in response to forest fires and other environmental impacts using AI.

The rapid reduction of forests due to environmental impacts such as deforestation, global warming, natural disasters such as forest fires as well as various human activities is an escalating concern. The increasing frequency and severity of forest fires are causing significant harm to the ecosystem, economy, wildlife, and human safety. During dry and hot seasons, the likelihood of forest fires also increases. It is crucial to accurately monitor and analyze the large-scale changes in the forest cover to ensure sustainable forest management. Remote sensing technology helps to precisely study such changes in forest cover over a wide area over time. This research analyzes the impact of forest fires over time, identifies hotspots, and explores the environmental factors that affect forest cover change. Sentinel-2 imagery was utilized to study changes in Brunei Darussalam's forest cover area over five years from 2017 to 2022. An object-based approach, Simple Non-Iterative Clustering (SNIC), is employed to cluster the region using NDVI values and analyze the changes per cluster. The results indicate that the area of the clusters reduced where fire incidence occurred as well as the precipitation dropped. Between 2017 and 2022, the increased forest fires and decreased precipitation levels resulted in the change in cluster areas as follows: 66.11%, 69.46%, 68.32%, 73.88%, 77.27%, and 78.70%, respectively. Additionally, hotspots in response to forest fires each year were identified in the Belait district. This study will help forest managers assess the causes of forest cover loss and develop conservation and afforestation strategies.

Regulating Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) in Asean: a Comparative Analysis on Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities

This study provides a comparative analysis of the regulatory frameworks governing Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services across ten ASEAN countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia. As BNPL services rapidly expand throughout the region, understanding the diverse regulatory landscapes and their implications becomes increasingly critical for fostering financial stability, consumer protection, and innovation in the digital financial ecosystem. Utilizing a literature review methodology, the research examines existing regulations, legal frameworks, and market trends, assessing their impact on financial stability, consumer protection, and fintech innovation. Singapore is identified as the leader in regulatory practices, effectively balancing fintech innovation with stringent consumer protection. Indonesia and Malaysia emphasize financial inclusion and systemic risk management, with Indonesia's framework focusing on transparency and financial literacy. Thailand and the Philippines are refining their frameworks, while Myanmar, Laos, Brunei, Vietnam and Cambodia are still developing their regulatory approaches. BNPL services, driven by growing e-commerce and fintech ecosystems, offer significant opportunities for financial inclusion but also pose challenges related to over-indebtedness, credit risk, and data protection. The analysis emphasizes that while BNPL presents significant opportunities for financial inclusion and fintech innovation, effective regulation is critical to ensuring sustainable growth and protecting consumers from debt traps and financial instability.

Assessing The Effects Of Government Expenditure And Tax Revenue On Economic Growth In Seven ASEAN Countries

Background: This study investigates the Assessing the Effects of Government Expenditure and Tax Revenue on Economic Growth in Seven ASEAN Countries namely Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand over a lengthy temporal prospect from 1980 to 2022. This research aims to deliver a nuanced understanding of how these government expenditure and tax revenue dynamics effects on the economic growth of these regions. Spanning over four decades, the study investigates into the multidimensional extents of government expenditure and tax revenue and its effects on economic growth, presenting a comprehensive exploration of the long-term strategies besides their implications for economic growth. This research covers both short-term and long-term dynamics, thus enhancing the robustness of this investigation. Moreover, the findings contribute to the hypothetical discourse by enriching the understanding for the effects of government expenditure and tax revenue on economic growth within these regions. The outcomes of this study embrace the potential to appraise evidence-based policy decisions, academic explorations, and the broader recreation of sustainable and inclusive economic development contained by these ASEAN regions. The focus of this study has investigated the effectiveness of government expenditure and tax revenue measures in promoting economic growth in seven ASEAN countries. These studies utilize the panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach and find that government expenditure was statistically significant in these ASEAN economies. It is important to note that the effectiveness of fiscal policy in promoting economic growth can vary across countries and over time.

Enhancing Malay Islamic Monarchy Education: Current Teaching Strategies in Secondary Schools

This study investigates the teaching strategies of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) Education teachers in upper secondary schools in Brunei Darussalam. The MIB Education subject is akin to moral education but integrates Malay, Islamic, and Monarchical values in alignment with the national philosophy. The objective of this study is to analyze the teaching strategies outlined in the syllabus and textbooks, and to interview teachers to identify the strategies practiced in the classroom. The findings reveal a variety of teaching strategies suggested in the syllabus documents. However, the textbook content predominantly comprises factual reading texts and comprehension exercises. The study also found that project-based methods are the recommended teaching strategies in the curriculum documents and are popularly practiced by teachers. Interviews indicate that teachers continue to use the textbooks provided by the Ministry of Education, Brunei, with appropriate improvisations that align with the suggested teaching strategies in the syllabus. To ensure the effectiveness of MIB Education teaching and learning in the future, the syllabus and textbooks need to be updated with current teaching strategies, and teachers should be given exposure to these strategies.

Advancing Sustainable Tourism: A Study on Eco-Tourism Policies in Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam

The global tourism industry has suffered significant losses due to the impact of global pandemic Covid-19. This paper examines the policies and efforts adopted by the local authorities of Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam to support their sustainable tourism industries and it seeks to draw lessons from both countries. The research will primarily focus on ecotourism issues and challenges in specific areas such as national parks, natural landscapes, and historical sites in both countries. Specific destinations within these eco-tourism categories for Indonesia’s; Bogor Botanical Garden, Onrust Archeological Park in Thousand Island Jakarta, and North Sulawesi Mountain Landscape. For Brunei Darussalam’s; Kampong Ayer, Sumbiling Eco-Village, and Ulu Temburong National Park. This study reveals challenges in tourism industry stakeholders’ participation level, inadequate and improper tourism infrastructure, a lack of skilled workforce employment. and insufficient public education on eco-tourism in both nations. Recommendations emphasize the importance of capacity building for stakeholder collaboration, infrastructure acquisition, and technology-driven knowledge transfer. The limitations of this study lie in the scarcity of research on empirical study and the unavailability of high-level official interviews. Therefore, for future research, it is important to assess the effectiveness of Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam government’s direct response such as funding mechanism policy, infrastructures development policy, and the utilization of digital platform policy. Besides, it is also important to assess the Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam government’s response to and anticipation of ecotourism issues for both countries.

The Reception of Hamka's Tafsir Al-Azhar within Social Religious Issues in the Malay World

This study explores the reception and impact of Hamka's Tafsir Al-Azhar across the Malay world, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore. Tafsir Al-Azhar, written by the renowned Malay scholar Hamka, is a significant work of Qur'anic exegesis that has influenced Islamic thought in Southeast Asia. By employing a qualitative research method, specifically a case study with phenomenological analysis, this research investigates how Tafsir Al-Azhar has been received, interpreted, and utilized by various Muslim communities in these regions. The study examines the historical context in which Hamka's work was produced, focusing on its dissemination and its pivotal role in addressing socio-religious issues from the mid-20th century to the present day. By applying reception theory, the analysis highlights the dynamic interaction between the text and its readers, revealing how interpretations of Tafsir Al-Azhar have evolved in response to shifting social, political, and cultural landscapes. The research also explores the influence of external religious streams, modernity, and globalization on the Malay Muslim identity, and how these factors have shaped the adaptation and reception of traditional tafsir practices. The findings suggest that while Tafsir Al-Azhar has become a central reference in the religious life of Malay Muslims, its reception varies significantly across different countries. These variations are influenced by local cultural, religious, and political contexts, as well as by Hamka's personal interactions with these communities. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of Qur'anic interpretation in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of contextualizing tafsir to address the diverse needs and challenges of Muslim communities in the region.

Fiqh Teaching Action Among Islamic Educators in Brunei Darussalam

Effective teaching is often associated with mastery of the content of the lesson and pedagogical skills. Thus, to implement effective teaching, Shulman introduced six-cycle processes of pedagogical reasoning and action that can help teachers organize their teaching. However, this study only focused on teaching action (the instruction process) in the class. Therefore, this study aims to explore the teaching practices of Fiqh teachers in religious schools. The study uses a method of qualitative research, through interviews, observation of teaching, and document analysis, to collect data. The study participants consisted of 10 Fiqh religious teachers who taught Grades IV, V, and VI. Thematic analysis was used in this study for the formation of themes and sub-themes. The results of the study found that there are several important elements for the instruction process in the cycle of pedagogical reasoning and actions in the classroom. The mastery of the teacher's pedagogical content knowledge and its application in the teaching practice in the classrooms has a positive impact on teaching Fiqh in religious schools. As a recommendation, religious teachers need to constantly expand their pedagogical content knowledge from time to time so that they can implement effective teaching.

Assessment of Pollution Status in Brunei River Using Water Quality Indices, Brunei Darussalam

Assessment of Pollution Status in Brunei River Using Water Quality Indices, Brunei Darussalam

Access to Justice: Protecting Spousal Health from Sexually Transmitted Diseases Transmission within Marriage

This study explores how Indonesia’s present regulatory framework navigates to protect spousal health from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) transmission within marriage. Employing a normative legal approach which combines statutory analysis and comparative methods. The analysis focuses on Indonesia’s regulatory framework. Findings reveal that the current regulations including the Constitution 1945, Health Law, Marriage Law, Elimination of Domestic Violence Law, Criminal Code, various Regional Regulations and Regulation of The Minister of Health. These regulations provide limited coverage of instances where individuals jeopardies the health of others, particularly spouses, through the transmission of STDs. Comparative analysis of Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, and the United Kingdom demonstrate a common emphasis on informed consent and risk mitigation, often achieved through criminalization of non-disclosure of HIV status. However, the study acknowledges the limitations of such punitive approaches in achieving sustainable public health outcomes. The conclusion proposes moving beyond the current framework. It suggests leveraging the Health Law’s framework for family health promotion and its association with disease control. This could involve establishing a regulatory system grounded in scientific research, prioritizing a consensual and holistic approach cantered on comprehensive education and prevention programs. This approach recognizes STDs as a social issue requiring collective action, contrasting with the tendency in some neighboring countries to view them solely as a medical concern. By addressing these legal gaps and fostering responsible sexual health practices within marriage, Indonesia can contribute to a healthier and more secure marital environment for its citizens.

A route for energy recovery from municipal solid waste and developing a framework for waste management in Brunei Darussalam

Brunei, similar to other nations, encounters difficulties in effectively managing solid waste, with 70% of the waste ending up in landfills, 2% through composting, and the remainder being disposed of through conventional methods. The current landfill site is anticipated to reach its maximum capacity in 2025. Energy recovery from waste is crucial for Brunei since it can improve waste management, mitigate environmental consequences, produce economic advantages, bolster energy security, and promote a circular economy. This study aims to identify the potential for energy recovery through landfill gas generated from solid waste disposal in Brunei Darussalam. The study finds that Brunei Darussalam can produce 129 thousand tonnes of CO2e/year landfill gas. Utilising gas to generate electricity of 367 GWh could save 1.6 million USD annually. In addition, it also identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the existing solid waste management in Brunei Darussalam. Furthermore, it formulates a waste management policy in Brunei Darussalam by identifying relevant stakeholders to overcome the weakness. Lastly, the framework for waste management is designed to consider short-, intermediate- and long-term goals and targets, with actions to be taken by respective stakeholders.

Migrant workers’ perception and awareness of health insurance coverage in Brunei Darussalam

BackgroundMigrant workers are recognized as a vulnerable group of population in the context of accessibility to healthcare services as they are likely to experience multiple challenges and barriers. This study aimed to assess the awareness and perceived knowledge on health insurance coverage among documented migrant workers in Brunei Darussalam.MethodsThis cross-sectional, interviewer-administered study used a pre-designed questionnaire on migrant workers attending the Foreign Worker Health Screening Centre from June until September 2019. Data were analyzed for association between perceived insurance status on health-seeking behavior.ResultsThe study obtained responses from 469 documented migrant workers (93.8%). 75.1% reported being aware of and having health insurance coverage; and of these, 57.1% were aware of the type of health insurance cover they had. 45.5% and 50.6% had poor knowledge whether their health insurance covered for hospitalization or outpatient expenses, respectively. No significant association was found between the migrant workers’ perceived status of insurance and not seeking medical care due to financial barriers (p > 0.05).ConclusionsA high proportion of documented migrant workers in Brunei Darussalam reported knowledge of having health insurance; however, there was lack of awareness on its actual coverage. By including migrants’ health in a nation’s healthcare governance, the health rights of migrant workers can be addressed thus aiming to achieve universal health coverage for all individuals.