The Development of Research and Educational Framework to Achieve Successful Aging in Brunei Darussalam.
Principal Investigators: Dr Hjh Asmah Hj Husaini, Dr Khadizah Haji Mumin, and Dr Siti Mazidah Haji Mohamad
Project Period: 2024- 2026
Funding amount: BND 14,016.
Executive Summary
The “Wawasan Brunei 2035” set a national goal for Brunei Darussalam to become among the 10 countries worldwide for its highly skilled population, top-quality living standards, and dynamic and powerful economy. However, a notable demographic shift characterized by a rapid increase in the older population had foreseen Brunei as one of the fastest aging countries in ASEAN. It is estimated that the population aged older than 65 in Brunei will rise by 13.64% by 2035. This shift is expected to cause a significant societal transformation with the potential influence on financial markets, social welfare, and healthcare. Universities play an important role in consistently engaging in strategic planning to support the well-being of older people through education, research, innovation, healthcare training, policy development and community engagement. This qualitative study will be carried out using semi-structured interviews and focused group discussions to explore the perceived knowledge gaps and opportunities perceived by the universities’ senior management team members, academics and researchers in their contributions towards the Brunei National Strategies that address aging-related issues. The findings are expected to provide a research, innovation and educational framework that are coordinated to align with the government’s goals to embrace successful aging.
Brief Objectives
- To investigate documented actions and strategies including policies, action plans, research and educational programmes carried out or offered in UBD that contributes to the planning and meeting the needs of older people in Brunei.
- To explore UBD’s academics’ and members of the management teams’ the perceptions and understanding of the needs of older people.
- To develop CARe, UBD successful aging framework that will provide strategic directions and guide research, innovation and educational activities in line with the scopes and agendas of the Brunei government.
Significance
As one of the national universities in Brunei Darussalam, UBD has always been a reference point for research and training on the matter of the aging society. The findings of this study can be a national reference that provides remarkable opportunities for researchers to better understand older persons’ care needs, and to better sustain the independence of older people in the community. The UBD Framework for Research and Education for Successful aging in Brunei Darussalam will provide directions for advancing the national agenda. Findings are expected to inform the components and composition of educational, training and research needs that help define future workforce and skills mix nature to meet an aging nation’s needs at local, regional and possibly national levels.
Other national benefits include:
• Contributes to the current database available in UBD on aging studies.
• Local capacity building of researchers and research assistants.
• Produce publications in high-tier Scopus-indexed journals.
• Aid in the development of policy, protocol or guidelines in the care and support of older people.