Cardiff Metropolitan University boosts Brunei links with Minister’s Visit 

 INTERNATIONAL relations between Brunei and Wales were strengthened last week with a visit of Hon. Pehin Hj Haziar Hj Abdullah, Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports to Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC).

The Hon. Pehin Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, was invited to the Welsh capital during an extended tour of the UK.

Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC) has a plethora of Bruneian students within its ranks, who have excelled in areas of sport, design technology, health sciences and business management.

And their good work has not gone unnoticed, with the minister hailing the students’ “important” role as representatives of Brunei.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Antony Chapman at Cardiff Met (UWIC) described how the students from Brunei “have an excellent course completion rate, which is amongst the highest at the University. 

“The long standing relationship dates back to 1994 when we welcomed our first Bruneian students. Since then, the relationship has blossomed and today Cardiff Met has one of the largest Bruneian cohorts in any UK University.”

“Over the years we have been welcoming students from Brunei to study a wide range of courses including Podiatry, Environmental Health, Biomedical Science, Nutrition, Food Science, Business, Hospitality & Tourism and Sport. Cardiff Metropolitan is very proud to host these students and are committed to looking after their welfare.”  The latest International Student Barometer rated Cardiff Met (UWIC) as top in the UK (and sixth worldwide) on International student experience, based on the overall average scores across all categories.

Hon Pehin Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah was accompanied by the British High Commissioner in Brunei, Rob Fenn, among others.

The minister enjoyed a busy schedule incorporating government meetings, university visits and the opportunity to talk to Bruneian students studying in the UK.

Whilst in Cardiff, the Minister was received by the Rt Hon Lord Mayor of Cardiff and President of Cardiff Met, Prof Delme Bowen and Lady Mayoress at the official residence of the Lord Mayor where they discussed mutual areas of interest including the hosting of sporting events.

A tour of Cardiff Met (UWIC) – famous for its sporting heritage – was arranged and the minister was accompanied by students from the University of Brunei Darussalem (UBD) who are studying in Cardiff as part of a joint degree programme.

Cardiff Met (UWIC) is the only British university to hold its own graduation award ceremony in Brunei – held at UBD every two years since 1998 to celebrate the achievements of the Brunei cohort.

Together, the universities have also worked to develop a jointly-delivered degree in sport and physical education.

Students spend the first year in Brunei, second and third years in Cardiff before returning to Brunei for their final year.

Dr Mohamed Loutfi, Dean of International Development at Cardiff Met (UWIC) said: “The joint degree programme is working extremely well and the UBD students are a committed and enthusiastic group who have adjusted well to life in Cardiff and integrate well with the home students.”

Commenting on the visit of the Minister, Dr Loutfi continued:

“As a university, we are delighted to have welcomed Hon Pehin Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah to Cardiff, having been fortunate enough to play our part in educating and inspiring many hundreds of Bruneians over the years.

“As an institution that has been in existence since 1865, we are very proud of our heritage and the role the Bruneian students have played in making the university what it is today.”

Speaking to Bruneian students during his visit, the minister Hon Pehin Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah  said: “You are all a kind of ambassador for our country. The experiences and exposure that you have here during your time at Cardiff Metropolitan University are very important.

“They are important because you are representing Brunei and you have been entrusted with this role as you study and live in this great city of Cardiff. It has been very pleasing to hear from the vice-chancellor about your academic achievements and your attitude to your studies whilst you are here.”

He added: “We have heard of the great collaboration between this university and our own University of Brunei Darussalam – particularly in the joint sports degrees.

We are very proud of our students and we look forward to continued good relations between Cardiff Metropolitan University and Brunei for many years to come.”

Further information on the visit is available from the Borneo Times