UBDSBE Hosts Inaugural Professorial Lecture Honoring Professor Dr. Haji Mohammad Nabil Almunawar at Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) hosted its inaugural Professorial Lecture on August 20, 2025, at the Pro-Chancellor Arts Centre, honoring Professor Dr. Haji Mohammad Nabil Almunawar for his significant academic contributions. The event was attended by various stakeholders, including the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UBD, Professor Dr. Haji Noor Azam Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya (OKMB) Haji Othman, as well as students, faculty, government officials, and members of the diplomatic community.
Welcoming Remarks
Dr. Wardah Azimah Haji Sumardi, Dean of the School of Business and Economics (UBDSBE), provided welcoming remarks, emphasizing the importance of celebrating individual achievements while upholding the foundational values of the academic community. She highlighted Professor Dr. Nabil’s influence on students and colleagues as a testament to his commitment to academic excellence and leadership.
Official Citation
The official citation was presented by Associate Professor Dr. M Muzamil Naqshbandi, who described Professor Dr. Nabil as a pioneering leader in digital business and information systems. His academic career spans over three decades, during which he has published more than 200 works and received numerous international awards. He is notably recognized for developing the Value Exchange Network (VEN) framework, a concept that redefines business ecosystems.
Keynote Lecture
In his keynote lecture titled “Towards a Grand Theory of Business Ecosystems,” Professor Dr. Nabil elaborated on the evolution of the VEN framework, framing ecosystems as dynamic networks of value exchanges. This model has found application across various sectors, including digital marketplaces, healthcare, the circular economy, and halal food systems, indicating its academic relevance and practical significance.
Research Contributions
Professor Dr. Nabil’s research contributions extend to e-business, e-health, Islamic scholarship, and information systems, with over 200 publications to his name, 132 of which are indexed by Scopus. His research impact is demonstrated through more than 5,500 citations. He has also served as Editor-in-Chief for two international journals and has edited over 20 academic books.
Awards and Recognition
His research excellence earned him the 2023 Emerald Literati Award for Outstanding Paper, and his teaching dedication was recognized with the UBD Excellence in Teaching Award in 2011 and the Brunei Darussalam Teacher Award in 2022. Since joining UBD in 1999, Professor Dr. Nabil has positively impacted the academic journeys of many students and scholars, leading to his promotion to full professor in May 2025.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Professor Dr. Nabil shared his guiding philosophy on the pursuit of knowledge, emphasizing the importance of humility, gratitude, and patience in the educational journey.
(Source: UBD)
