UBD Sustainability Living Lab

A platform for innovation, sustainability, and real-world impact

What is a Living Lab?

A Living Lab is an open and collaborative research and innovation environment where new ideas, products, services, or processes are developed and tested in real-life settings. It brings together researchers, end users, and stakeholders to co-create and evaluate solutions in everyday contexts, enabling more relevant, user-centered, and impactful outcomes. Unlike traditional laboratories, Living Lab operate within actual communities, institutions, or systems, allowing for direct observation, feedback, and continuous improvement.

At Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), the Sustainability Living Lab is a strategic sustainability initiative that supports the implementation of the UBD Sustainability Masterplan through applied, interdisciplinary research and innovation. The Sustainability Living Lab uses UBD campus as a real-world experimentation ground, enabling researchers, students and staff to collaboratively develop and test sustainable solutions that address operational challenges and enhance environmental performance. This hands-on approach integrates research, teaching, and campus operations, making the campus a central platform for advancing sustainability outcomes aligned with UBD’s strategic goals.

The Sustainability Living Lab also embraces opportunities to pilot and refine innovations in broader community settings, contributing to national sustainability efforts and fostering stronger university-community engagement.

Thematic Areas of Research

In support of Brunei Darussalam’s national commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UBD aligns its research priorities with the country’s long term vision under Wawasan 2035 and the renewed pledges made at the 2023 SDG Summit. In its statement, Brunei reaffirmed its commitment to an inclusive, sustainable, and transformative development pathway – highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration and the active involvement of all segments of society.

In line with this national direction, UBD’s research focus is designed to advance Brunei’s sustainability ambition while contributing to global development goals. This is reflected in the following key areas:

Inclusive Education and Capacity Building

Sustainability in teaching and learning
Community outreach and awareness
Green skills training and development
Digital tools for accessible education

Energy Transition and Net Zero

Renewable energy development
Energy efficiency in campus buildings
Low carbon and electric mobility
Carbon monitoring and emission reduction

Sustainable Resource Management

Water conservation and efficiency
Biodiversity protection and ecosystem
Sustainable land use and green infrastructure
Waste reduction and sustainable waste systems

Health and Wellbeing

Digital Health tools for accessible service
Community wellness
Sustainability in health promotion and education

UBD Sustainability Grant

The UBD Sustainability Grant supports innovative projects that drive real-world sustainability impact within UBD and beyond. Open to staff and students (with academic supervisors), the grant encourages interdisciplinary collaboration through three tracks:

UBD Sustainability Innovators

For staff-led initiatives that enhance operations, teaching or engagement

UBD Gen-SUSTAINABILITY

For student-led projects that promote campus sustainability

UBD Sustainability Impact Co-Lab

For collaborative projects with external partners addressing broader sustainability challenges

Note: The focus of projects supported under the UBD Sustainability Grant will be implemented in two phases:

Phase 1 (August 2025 – July 2026): Focused on addressing sustainability challenges within the UBD campus. Refer to Solve it @ Campus for UBD Campus problem statements.
Phase 2 (Commencing August 2026): Expands to community-based projects, addressing real-world sustainability issues in collaboration with external stakeholders.

To apply, eligible teams must submit a proposal by completing the UBD Sustainability Grant Proposal Form. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch their ideas before a panel of assessors.

All proposals should align with UBD’s Sustainability Masterplan and demonstrate measurable outcomes that support national and institutional goals.