By Nurdiyanah R. –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, DEC 10 – Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) and Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) today marked a valuable milestone by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to drive innovation in financial technology, research and capacity building with a ceremony that took place in the Main Conference Room, UTB, this morning.
The strategic partnership represents a comprehensive framework for collaboration that will leverage the unique strengths and expertise of both UTB and BDCB. The MoU creates a robust platform for joint engagement, focusing on creating synergies between academic research and financial sector expertise.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah followed by a welcome speech by the Acting Vice Chancellor of UTB, Dr Mohamad Saiful bin Haji Omar and witnessed the presentation of a speech by the Deputy Managing Director (Monetary Operations/Development and International), BDCB, Hajah Noorrafidah binti Sulaiman .
The event continued with the MoU signing session where representing UTB was Dr Mohamad Saiful with the Registrar and Secretary, Lim Chui Hua, as a witness; while BDCB was represented by Hajah Noorrafidah and witnessed by the Executive Director, Strategic Communication and Financial Literacy, Dayangku Sri Joedianna binti Pengiran Haji Mohammed.
The partnership includes a range of collaborative initiatives, including joint research projects that will explore innovative solutions in financial technology and economic development.
Both institutions are committed to organizing collaborative events, symposiums and workshops that will provide valuable insights and knowledge sharing opportunities for professionals as well as academics.
Publication development stands as another critical aspect of the partnership, with plans to produce joint academic and professional publications that will contribute to a broader understanding of the financial and technological landscapes.
The MoU also emphasizes capacity building, creating professional development programs that will improve skills and knowledge for both institutional members and the wider professional community.
Information and data exchange emerged as a key component of collaboration, enabling both UTB and BDCB to share critical insights, research findings, and innovative approaches.
The exchange is intended to generate meaningful research and support the development of cutting-edge solutions in the financial and technological domains.
In addition, BDCB has recently awarded UTB with Financial Inclusion Demand-Side Survey which aims to measure the extent and quality financial inclusioncreating comparative insights with previous surveys conducted in 2020 and identifying barriers and providing recommendations to address existing gaps in pursuit financial inclusion which is bigger in Brunei Darussalam.
By formalizing this partnership, UTB and BDCB demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to institutional collaboration.
The MoU reflects a shared commitment to advance knowledge, foster innovation and contribute significantly to Brunei’s economic and educational development.