10 March 2021 – Concerned towards the impact of the rice production such as soil quality, access to irrigation and climate change, Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) intends to play a role in helping to mitigate such issues and to provide solutions in improving paddy plantation in Brunei through cross-cutting research projects involving science and technology, said Yang Mulia Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Hj Sulaiman, Vice-Chancellor of UTB at the Smart Watering System (SWS) Paddy Plantation Workshop.
The Smart Watering System (SWS) Paddy Plantation Workshop organised by UTB under the ICT Virtual Organization of ASEAN Institutes (ASEAN IVO), National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) was held both virtually and physically at the University’s Lecture Theatre 2, Library Complex.
Present as the Guest of Honour at the workshop was Yang Mulia Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Hj Sulaiman, Vice-Chancellor of UTB.
The event began with an opening speech by Yang Mulia Dr. Wida Susanty binti Haji Suhaili, the Country Lead SWS Paddy and Assistant Professor at UTB; followed by remarks from Yang Mulia Mr Masugi Inoue, Director of Global Alliance Department, NICT Japan.
Dr Wida Susanty began by introducing how they started the research with Paddy projects in 2018 when it received the acceptance from ASEAN IVO. She shared that it started in Japan where they were exposed to such advance technology on how data communicate through a Nervenet network adopting mesh networking concept. The opportunity evolved when they went for site visits to Myanmar and Thailand to understand the context further within the ASEAN region.
“With the involvement in paddy project, I was selected as the Brunei ASEAN Science and Technology Fellowship 2019/2020 and assigned to Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, which provides a good opportunity to understand the issue pertaining to paddy first hand both for the government, the executers and the farmers”, said Dr Wida Susanty.
The event then proceeded with a remark by the Guest of Honour, where she is pleased to know that UTB has been working closely to explore the research capabilities by collaborating with Japan counterparts via research projects through ASEAN IVO NICT, JASTIP, JICA and some established national universities in Japan namely Osaka and Hokkaido Universities. She is also pleased that UTB is venturing and expanding their network with renowned and established research bodies in Japan as well as with local organisations and university.
Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah stated that she understands that this workshop is a platform where academics, research students, policy makers, and practitioners share and discuss their research findings and critical analysis on current issues on Paddy Plantation. “Through regular academic exchanges among not only scholars but also various experts from the Public and Private Sectors, this human network will contribute to the consolidation for mutual cooperation”. She also shared her thoughts that this multi-disciplinary interaction, where research knowledge and experiences are being shared is a good way forward in encouraging collaboration.
With the theme “Lessons Learned on Paddy within the Region”, the event aimed to discuss on the best way forward to understand the best practices on paddy management. The workshop brought together experts from local and regional organisations and universities namely Department of Agriculture and Agrifood (DAA), Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Zeigler Experiment Station of International Rice Research Institutes (ZES IRRI) from Philippines, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) from Malaysia, National Electronic and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) from Thailand, Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) from Indonesia and UTB to deliver their experiences on paddy related areas into four main sessions on Session 1: Brunei’s Paddy Industry, Session 2: International Best Practices, Session 3: Adoption of Technology and Session 4: Best Practices with the Region.
The event was also attended by UTB principal officers, researchers and other relevant stakeholders.
