UBD Sustainability
PEACE BY PIECE PROJECT
Dr. Khadizah binti Haji Abdul Mumin, Mohammad Ersyad bin Sudirman
Aqil Danish Hirman, Dayang Maria binti Awang Massuni, Mohd Hamiz Ihtisyam bin Mohd Zul-Majdi, Dk Siti Sarah Shalehah bte Pg Hj Md Zin
PEACE BY PIECE PROJECT
- Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Khadizah biinti Haji Abdul Mumin, Senior Assistant Professor, PAPRSB IHS
- Student Leader (Co-PI): Mohammad Ersyad bin Sudirman, BHSc Nursing
- Team Members:
- Aqil Danish Hirman, BHSc Nursing
- Dayang Maria binti Awang Massuni, BHSc Nursing
- Mohd Hamiz Ihtisyam bin Mohd Zul-Majdi BHSc Nursing
- Dk Siti Shalehah bte Pg Hj Md Zin, BHSc Nursing
Project Overview
The Peace by Piece Project aims to strengthen mental health support at UBD by shifting from abstract awareness campaigns to practical, culturally adapted coping strategies that students can integrate into their daily routines. The programme incorporated brief, accessible mindfulness and self-regulation practices, designed to help students pause, reset and respond effectively to stress before it escalates.
Key activities include:
- TENANG Programme: Mindfulness, resilience, and self-regulation modules.
- Awareness & Dialogue Initiatives: Circle Talks, Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Day campaigns.
- Creative Expression Platforms: Healing Through Art Workshops, storytelling events, and anonymous sharing spaces.
- Digital Campaigns: Initiatives such as #UnmuteYourMind to extend reach through social media.
- Toolkits and Resources: Stress kits, journals, mindfulness exercises, and digital detox guides for long-term habit formation.
Problem Statement
While awareness of mental health has increased on campus, many students still delay seeking help due to stigma, time constraints or the belief that stress is normal until it worsens into insomnia, panic, or burnout. Formal counselling services exist at UBD through UniHEALTH, but there remains a gap for low-barrier, first-line coping strategies that are simple, culturally resonant and accessible in daily student life. In Brunei, stigma and family norms further complicate help-seeking, as mindfulness and mental health practices may be perceived as foreign or unnecessary.
How does this project support our Sustainable and Green Campus Vision?
This project advances UBD’s Sustainability Masterplan under the Health and Wellbeing theme by embedding mental health resilience into campus life. It introduces innovation through cultural tailoring by integrating mindfulness and self-regulation practices within Bruneian values, Islamic contemplative traditions and familiar campus rhythms. At the same time, it strengthens student capacity by building peer-led support networks and equipping students with practical tools such as emotion labelling, urge surfing, and cognitive defusion, which can be applied before and during high-stress moments like examinations or presentations. The initiative also transforms education and campus culture by normalising open dialogue around mental health through intergenerational forums, peer facilitation, and creative expression platforms. Furthermore, it fosters community engagement by involving students, staff, and local partners in awareness events, workshops, and campaigns, thereby creating a supportive and inclusive environment. In doing so, the project aligns with global frameworks, contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), while reinforcing UBD’s identity as a Living Lab for holistic sustainability.
What's Next?
The project will progress through phases starting with planning and preparation, followed by launch and awareness campaigns. Midpoint reflection will allow data collection and programme refinement, after which activities will expand to new students and additional faculties. It will conclude with full implementation, evaluation and reporting to ensure sustainable long-term impact.
Expected outcomes include engaging 200+ students, creating accessible toolkits and digital resources, reducing stigma around mental health and establishing a scalable, youth-led model of campus mental health advocacy that can extend beyond UBD.
