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Centre for Lifelong Learning holds Open Day and Lifelong Learning Festival 2026

Published on 31st March 2026

The C3L Open Day and Lifelong Learning Festival 2026 took place on 31 March 2026 at the Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Advancement (ILIA) Building, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

The programme began with an opening ceremony, where the Director of the Centre for Lifelong Learning (C3L), Associate Professor Dr Jose Hernandez Santos, highlighted the importance of continuous education. He noted that the event brought together educators, policymakers, industry partners, and learners who share a common understanding—that learning extends beyond formal education and continues throughout one’s life. He also emphasised C3L’s role in supporting this journey by providing flexible and relevant learning opportunities for individuals at different stages of their careers.

The Guest of Honour, UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri Haji Kifle, underscored the growing importance of lifelong learning in driving economic resilience and national progress. He pointed out that this vision aligns with Wawasan Brunei 2035, which emphasises the development of a highly educated, skilled, and adaptable population.

Following the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor presented the Best Micro-credential Awards across both new and established categories.

Best Micro-credential Awards – New Submissions

  • First Place: Introduction to Sustainability: Small Actions, Big Impact – Dr Roslinawati Roslan (SHBIE)
  • Second Place: Mastering APA 7 in Style – Michelle Poh Wan Pei (Language Centre)
  • Third Place: Project Management for Entrepreneurs – Dr Mohamed Syazwan Ab Talib (UBDSBE)
  • Mastering Systematic Reviews for Strategic Decisions – Dr Zaidah Rizidah Murang (PAPRSB IHS)

Best Micro-credential Awards – Established

  • First Place: Autonomy, Voice, and Inclusive Pedagogy – Dayangku Ratna Suriani Pengiran Haji Osman (SHBIE)
  • Second Place: Mastering Qualitative Insights for Business – Dr Nurul Afiqah Haji Nor Amin (UBDSBE)
  • Third Place: Introduction to Board Game Design – Dr Noreena Liu (FASS)

In his remarks, Dr Hazri reflected on UBD’s progress in micro-credential development since 2022, noting that these programmes were designed to be accessible, relevant, and aligned with future workforce needs. He explained that the micro-credentials are structured as stackable pathways, allowing learners to progress towards recognised qualifications such as Micro-Bachelor, Bachelor, Micro-Master, and Master degrees.

He also shared that since 2024, initiatives led by C3L in collaboration with the Innovation in Teaching and Learning Centre (InTELECT) have trained more than 200 academics from UBD and other higher education institutions across Brunei Darussalam. These efforts, he said, contribute to strengthening the broader national ecosystem for lifelong learning.

A key highlight of the morning session was the focus on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), explored through a keynote presentation by Dr Asnul Dahar Minghat, followed by a panel discussion. The panel featured experts including Associate Professor Dr Asnul Dahar Minghat from UTM Malaysia, Dr Shaikh Khalid Shaikh Haji Ahmad from Serikandi Group of Companies, and Haji Mohammad Jaafar Haji Johari from the Lifelong Learning Centre (L3C), Ministry of Education. The session was moderated by C3L Deputy Director Dr Anni @ Nik Ani Afiqah Haji Mohamad Tuah.

RPL was highlighted as an important mechanism for recognising skills and knowledge gained through work experience, non-formal training, and informal learning. It provides pathways for adult learners to enter academic programmes or receive credit for specific modules or micro-credentials based on demonstrated competencies. Together with micro-credentials, RPL reflects a broader shift in higher education towards valuing both formal qualifications and experiential learning.

Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to visit exhibition booths by organisations such as OpenLearning, the Brunei Institute of Leadership & Islamic Finance (BILIF), and Job Centre Brunei. The afternoon programme featured a series of hands-on workshops, including Integration of AI in Digital Pedagogy by Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Tazli Azizan, Practical Workplace Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment by Wardatul Zahrah from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Stress Less, Live More! by AC-ACE Creative Training Services.

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