(Bandar Seri Begawan, 10th) The University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) are co-hosting the 2026 International Symposium on Educational Development (ISED 2026), bringing together educational leaders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from within and beyond the region to jointly promote regional cooperation in the field of education.
This symposium aims to support educational innovation, inclusive development, and sustainable educational progress through building new strategic partnerships, facilitating knowledge exchange, and implementing capacity-building initiatives.
Dr. Datin Romaizah, Brunei's Minister of Education, officiated the opening ceremony as the guest of honor. Other notable guests included H.E. Chen Shaochun, Ambassador-designate of China to Brunei, and Dr. Dato Haji Noorarfan, Deputy Minister of Education of Brunei.
ISED 2026 will be held from June 9th to 10th, 2026, at The Empire Brunei and Universiti Brunei Darussalam, under the theme: "Educational Transformation in a New Era: Innovation, Inclusion, and Sustainable Development along the Maritime Silk Road."
The theme reflects the importance of strengthening educational cooperation among interconnected regions, which share a common vision for advancing social and economic development. Drawing inspiration from the Maritime Silk Road as a bridge for exchange and collaboration, the symposium is committed to fostering partnerships that enable educational institutions to share expertise, tackle common educational challenges, and develop future-oriented education systems.
In his welcome address, UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hazri Haji Kifle noted that global society is facing rapid technological development, evolving labor market demands, environmental uncertainties, and changing learning expectations.
He said: “Universities not only have a responsibility to respond to these changes but also to shape them by creating new knowledge, nurturing future leaders, and providing solutions to complex societal challenges.”
He added: “We must work together across disciplines, sectors, and borders to ensure that education remains relevant, inclusive, and transformative.”
One major highlight of ISED 2026 is the official launch of the UBD–EdUHK Joint Centre for Educational Development and Advancement in Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment. Established through a strategic partnership between UBD and EdUHK, the centre will serve as a platform for collaborative research, professional learning, curriculum innovation, educational leadership development, and evidence-based educational practice.
The joint centre is expected to support capacity-building initiatives, strengthen educational research and innovation, and promote closer collaboration among universities, government agencies, and educators within Brunei as well as abroad.
In her opening remarks, Brunei's Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Hajah Romaizah affirmed Brunei's commitment to enhancing national education standards in line with "Wawasan Brunei 2035". She also noted that the joint centre would directly support the work of the Ministry of Education.
She said: “By positioning Brunei as a dynamic hub for education and development, we are not only strengthening ties between Negara Brunei Darussalam and Hong Kong but also contributing to the prosperity of the entire ASEAN region.”
The symposium also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for a university strategic alliance. Participating institutions included Universiti Brunei Darussalam, The Education University of Hong Kong, Philippine Normal University, National University of Laos, and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.
This alliance aims to strengthen regional cooperation in educational research, academic exchange, professional development, and collaborative projects, thereby promoting educational development in Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The symposium agenda also included a series of keynote speeches. Keynote speakers included Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, President of The Education University of Hong Kong; Professor Dr. Haji Norazman, UBD Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education); and Professor Cheng Mei Hung, Vice President (Academic) of The Education University of Hong Kong.
Keynote speakers explored topics such as curriculum transformation, future-ready universities, innovation, inclusion, and the evolving landscape of teacher education.
In addition, the symposium featured high-level forums and professional workshops, with topics covering educational technology, educational leadership, inclusive education, sustainable development, behavior management, academic publishing, and the use of generative AI in teaching.
The organizers noted that the symposium's program is designed to connect research, policy, and practice, and to encourage collaboration among higher education institutions, schools, government agencies, and international organizations.
For more information about the symposium, please visit the official website: www.ised2026.com.
This symposium aims to support educational innovation, inclusive development, and sustainable educational progress through building new strategic partnerships, facilitating knowledge exchange, and implementing capacity-building initiatives.
Dr. Datin Romaizah, Brunei's Minister of Education, officiated the opening ceremony as the guest of honor. Other notable guests included H.E. Chen Shaochun, Ambassador-designate of China to Brunei, and Dr. Dato Haji Noorarfan, Deputy Minister of Education of Brunei.
ISED 2026 will be held from June 9th to 10th, 2026, at The Empire Brunei and Universiti Brunei Darussalam, under the theme: "Educational Transformation in a New Era: Innovation, Inclusion, and Sustainable Development along the Maritime Silk Road."
The theme reflects the importance of strengthening educational cooperation among interconnected regions, which share a common vision for advancing social and economic development. Drawing inspiration from the Maritime Silk Road as a bridge for exchange and collaboration, the symposium is committed to fostering partnerships that enable educational institutions to share expertise, tackle common educational challenges, and develop future-oriented education systems.
In his welcome address, UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hazri Haji Kifle noted that global society is facing rapid technological development, evolving labor market demands, environmental uncertainties, and changing learning expectations.
He said: “Universities not only have a responsibility to respond to these changes but also to shape them by creating new knowledge, nurturing future leaders, and providing solutions to complex societal challenges.”
He added: “We must work together across disciplines, sectors, and borders to ensure that education remains relevant, inclusive, and transformative.”
One major highlight of ISED 2026 is the official launch of the UBD–EdUHK Joint Centre for Educational Development and Advancement in Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment. Established through a strategic partnership between UBD and EdUHK, the centre will serve as a platform for collaborative research, professional learning, curriculum innovation, educational leadership development, and evidence-based educational practice.
The joint centre is expected to support capacity-building initiatives, strengthen educational research and innovation, and promote closer collaboration among universities, government agencies, and educators within Brunei as well as abroad.
In her opening remarks, Brunei's Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Hajah Romaizah affirmed Brunei's commitment to enhancing national education standards in line with "Wawasan Brunei 2035". She also noted that the joint centre would directly support the work of the Ministry of Education.
She said: “By positioning Brunei as a dynamic hub for education and development, we are not only strengthening ties between Negara Brunei Darussalam and Hong Kong but also contributing to the prosperity of the entire ASEAN region.”
The symposium also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for a university strategic alliance. Participating institutions included Universiti Brunei Darussalam, The Education University of Hong Kong, Philippine Normal University, National University of Laos, and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.
This alliance aims to strengthen regional cooperation in educational research, academic exchange, professional development, and collaborative projects, thereby promoting educational development in Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The symposium agenda also included a series of keynote speeches. Keynote speakers included Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, President of The Education University of Hong Kong; Professor Dr. Haji Norazman, UBD Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education); and Professor Cheng Mei Hung, Vice President (Academic) of The Education University of Hong Kong.
Keynote speakers explored topics such as curriculum transformation, future-ready universities, innovation, inclusion, and the evolving landscape of teacher education.
In addition, the symposium featured high-level forums and professional workshops, with topics covering educational technology, educational leadership, inclusive education, sustainable development, behavior management, academic publishing, and the use of generative AI in teaching.
The organizers noted that the symposium's program is designed to connect research, policy, and practice, and to encourage collaboration among higher education institutions, schools, government agencies, and international organizations.
For more information about the symposium, please visit the official website: www.ised2026.com.