Established in 1985, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) is Brunei’s first and largest national research university. It is located in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan. As of late 2025, UBD is ranked #367 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It also stands among the top seven universities in Southeast Asia. The university is known for its innovative GenNEXT curriculum. This program includes a mandatory “Discovery Year” for real-world experiential learning. UBD operates nine academic faculties and seven research institutes. Its research focuses on key areas like biodiversity, energy, and Islamic governance.