Theme: Sustainability

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Event Program:
7.00pm
Arrival of Guest and Networking Session with Refreshments

7.30pm
Doors Open

8.00pm
Event Starts
Safety briefing
Emcee introduction and welcoming remarks
Prayer recital
TEDx introduction video
TEDx talks

9.30pm
Intermission

9.40
TEDx talks continue

10.45
Closing prayer and event closes

Pro Chancellor Arts Center
Pusat Kesenian Pro Canselor, Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei-Muara, XVGR+4R7
Brunei Darussalam

Asyraf Zulkipli

Student (Bachelor of Arts: English Literature) at UBD

Asyraf is an introverted English Studies student currently enrolled at Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Attuning himself to the core values of Kindness and Compassion has led him to a new perspective on life that he now shares through the power of words. Aside from baking, literature and philosophy, he also enjoys introspective adventures that allow him to slow down and reflect on the meaning of things around him. Asyraf is a young leader, having participated in programs such as the ASEAN Young Leaders Programme (AYLP) in 2022. He is also a recipient of the Top 100 Asia Young Talents for the 2022 MonStar Awards for his works online to inspire others to be more compassionate.

F. Merlin Franco

Senior Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, Institute of Asian Studies (IAS), UBD

Dr. F. Merlin Franco is an ethnobiologist passionate about the interrelationship between human cultures, languages, and biodiversity. He has been collaborating with various local communities in Brunei, India, Indonesia and Malaysia on research projects related to local ecological calendars, cultural landscapes, and folk classifications. His latest edited book titled Case Studies in Biocultural Diversity from Southeast Asia has been well received.

James McLellan

Associate Professor, English Language and Linguistics, Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FASS), UBD

Dr James McLellan is an Associate Professor in the English Studies programme, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. His research interests include the languages of Borneo, mixed language use in social media, and varieties of English in southeast Asia. He is currently working on a book which challenges the whole concept of separate and distinct languages.

Pooja Shivanand Breh

Assistant Professor, Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science (FOS), UBD and winner of Toastmasters awards

Dr. Pooja Shivanand is Assistant Professor and Programme Leader of the Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). She has an Engineering and Master’s degree in biotechnology and PhD in Chemical Engineering (Industrial Biotechnology) from India. She received DAAD Research fellowship in Germany. Before joining UBD she was a Research Scientist in the Biotech industry in India. In UBD, she is leading several projects as Principle Investigator, through local and international collaborations, in the field of Applied environmental microbiology including Microbial diversity in Brunei, Mangrove endophytes and their bioactive compounds, Disease prediction in food crops and Microbial induction of agarwood.

Rolf Muller

Eminent Visiting Professor, UBD Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, USA

Prof Rolf Müller serves as the Raymond E. & Shirley B. Lynn Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech and also directs the University's Bioinspired Science and Technology Center. He conducts interdisciplinary research at the interface of engineering and the life sciences that is aimed at transferring new insights from biological function into technology. In particular, he tries to solve the problem of achieving autonomy in complex, natural environments with engineered systems such as drones. He has (co)authored over 120 peer-reviewed, full-length publications on this topic and has been a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America since 2019.

Shaun Hoon

Founder of Curious Mind, Founder of Inspire Magazine, Founding Curator of Global Shapers in Brunei

Mr Shaun Hoon founded Curious Mind to connect thought leaders and change-makers from around the world with the local community to inspire growth through digital media and conferences. He was also the founder of Inspire magazine which featured world famous thinkers and icons including Fan Bingbing, Guy Kawasaki and Chef Martin Yan on the cover. Shaun was selected as the Founding Curator of Global Shapers in Brunei by the prestigious World Economic Forum. He is married with two beautiful daughters, and all of them reside in Brunei.

Teck Nyek Yong

Juruukur Bersatu Konsultan, Licensed Land Surveyor, Fellow of Brunei Institutions of Geomatics and Member of Institute Surveyor of Malaysia

Mr Yong Teck Nyek is currently a Licensed Land Surveyor and the Managing Director of Juruukur Bersatu Konsultan (also known as JBK). He is a Fellow of the Brunei Institution of Geomatics (BIG). He makes a major commitment to new surveying technologies and takes pride in his ability to provide the highest quality, well-timed and competitive surveying services by incorporating state of-the-art surveying equipment and computer technology into the completion of the projects

Wafaa Hamzah

MSc in Biology, Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science (FOS), Master of Teaching (MTeach) candidate, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education (SHBIE), UBD

Wafaa is currently a graduate student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam. She graduated with a BSc in Biological Sciences, specilising in the field of marine biology. She was also selected to represent UBD to do a research project in biochemical engineering in Zhejiang Universitiy, China. On top of her studies, she is currently enrolled in a programme with the Ministry of Education, specialising in inclusive special education. Wafaa is passionate about building the framework of the minds of the next generation with the hopes that they will become young upcoming leaders and be the key towards improving the future our nation.

Zubaidah Hisham

Founder, Pieces of Z, Actress, Salted Egg Production and UBD alumni (BSc in Art & Creative Technology & Master in Counselling)

Zubaidah devoted most of her life to the art of expression. While practicing counseling, she is also an entrepreneur, running a business called "Pieces of Z" since 2015. She is passionate about many forms of art, including dance, music, and literature, finding comfort in knowing that she is not limited to one profession. Her greatest inspiration comes from Islam, as she aspires to help people understand and find solutions to life from the hadith and the Qur’an. Zubaidah chooses to channel her energies in the furtherance of social or spiritual ideals and tries to exert her influence on others through technical, creative or artistic pursuits.