MIPR, UBD Sign Memorandum Of
Understanding
By Narissa Noor & P.
Marilyn
Bandar Seri
Begawan – The Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR)
and Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) yesterday signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU), adding a new dimension to the working
relationship between both institutions through a framework of
collaboration and cooperation in support of a sustainable
knowledge-based economy for the present and future generations of
Brunei.
The ceremony was held at the Empire
Hotel and Country Club.
Signing on behalf of MIPR was its
Permanent Secretary Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid bin Hj Mohd Jaafar,
while representing on behalf of the university was the Vice
Chancellor Dato Paduka Dr Hj Ismail bin Hj Duraman.
Attending the event as the guest of
honour was Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang
Hj Ahmad bin Hj Jumat, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources.
One of the main objectives of the
MoU is to create opportunities to develop and implement programmes
of cooperation in training, research, education and other
knowledge-based activities in the fields of economics, business
development and science and technology, relevant to economic
diversification and industry development.
These areas of cooperation involve
information and knowledge exchange, an attachment/secondment
programme, study visits, research and consultancy relevant to
improving industrial policy, the management of businesses and
developing entrepreneurship.
It is also to conduct joint
academic research programmes and activities for the purpose of
facilitating cultural, academic, scientific and technological
exchange and cooperation.
A joint programme is also currently
underway in the field of science and technology research and
development relevant to the country’s `halal’ industry, which hopes
to provide scientific evidence in certifying the halalness of
products.
During the signing ceremony,
Professor Dr Abd-ElAziem Farouk Gad, Professor of Molecular Biology
and Biotechnology at UBD, presented some of their scientific
findings on the development of DNA based innovative detection
systems indicating that they have opened numerous possibilities for
identifying halal slaughtered meat and developing halal detection
kits.
This technology has strengthened
Brunei’s capability to detect any traces of DNA in food available in
the market using enhanced highly specific bio-markers invented by
the professor. Such advances in halal research and development will
place Brunei as one of the major players in the global halal
industry.
The research is part of the Department of Agriculture’s
project on Brunei Halal Brand and was initiated by the Ministry of
Industry and Primary Resources in close cooperation with Brunei
Islamic Religious Council, Ministry of Religious Affairs and the
Ministry of Health.
The creation of the Brunei Halal
Brand is in line with the country’s effort as an Islamic nation in
moving towards developing a diversified, competitive and sustainable
economy.
Through this research and creation
of the Brunei Halal Brand, Brunei aims to be a major global player
in the halal brand in terms of production and certification,
providing high quality halal products worldwide.
Among other objectives of the
Brunei Halal Brand is to commit to the obligation of ‘Fardhu Kifayah’
with an effort to increase the number of halal food that can be
consumed by Muslims. — Courtesy of Borneo
Bulletin
