From Brunei to Singapore: A Lecturer's Journey in Research

As Brunei continues to invest in strengthening teacher education and nurturing a generation of lifelong learners under Brunei Vision 2035, more educators are seeking opportunities to deepen their expertise abroad. For Dr Md Qawiem Md Jamil, that journey led him to the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NIE NTU, Singapore), a world-class institute renowned for shaping Singapore’s teachers and advancing education research that influences policy across the region. 

“NIE provided me with the challenges, resources, and community I needed to grow as both an academic and a person. It is a place where I was encouraged to think deeply, defend my ideas, and produce my best work, all within a supportive and world-class learning environment,” said Dr Qawiem, a graduate of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme offered by NIE. 

While Dr Qawiem was academically trained in physics, his interest in science education research grew as he engaged more deeply with students and began to explore the role of language and literacies in Science. 

“As an assistant lecturer at the Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, I had always found joy in both teaching and research. Pursuing a PhD was therefore a natural step in advancing my career and contributing to education,” shared Dr Qawiem. 

Therefore, the question for Dr Qawiem was not whether to do a PhD, but where he could make the greatest impact.

 “NIE felt like a natural choice,” he said with a smile. “A colleague who was an alumnus spoke highly of its programmes, and after some research, I was impressed by the calibre of its academic staff and their strong commitment to research excellence. My early conversations with potential supervisors left a lasting impression,” he recounted. “It was clear that NIE offered the right environment to support my growth as both a researcher and educator.” 

A Leading Education Institute with National Impact

As Singapore’s only teacher education institute, NIE plays an integral part in shaping the nation’s education system. It trains all of Singapore’s teachers where its university-based teacher education programmes leverage the strong partnerships that it has with the Ministry of Education and Singapore schools. Thus, NIE develops educators who are grounded in theory and research, and strong in practice. This close alignment ensures that NIE’s teacher preparation and research directly inform national education policies, classroom practices, and continuous teacher professional development, a model that has contributed to Singapore’s reputation as having one of the world’s most effective education systems. 

A Stimulating and Supportive Learning Environment

Dr Qawiem was immediately drawn to this balance between academic rigour and practical relevance.

 “The professors, the facilities, and the community of students at NIE truly reflect the institute’s quality of education and commitment to excellence,” he shared. The rich and thought-provoking classroom discussions often pushed Dr Qawiem to consider ideas and perspectives he would otherwise not have thought of on his own. 

“I felt my learning was accelerated simply by being part of such a stimulating environment,” he added. “What stood out the most was the creativity of my peers, whose insights often inspired me to refine and expand my own thinking.”

One of Dr Qawiem’s most memorable moments was presenting his research at his first conference in Singapore. The sessions were grouped thematically, and the most defining moment was when the researcher who presented after Dr Qawiem cited his findings to support his own research. “That moment was deeply validating,” Dr Qawiem recalled with pride. 

At NIE, research is never confined to theory. NIE’s strong research culture ensures that its postgraduate students produce high-quality research that not only contributes to academia but also influences policy and practice. “I was constantly encouraged to into challenging spaces where I presented, defended, and shared ideas publicly. Those experiences built my courage and strengthened my ability to support claims with robust evidence,” said Dr Qawiem. 

To this day, Dr Qawiem shared that he still carries with him this lesson forward: to always demand the highest quality of evidence in both his teaching and research. 

A Home Away from Home

As a Bruneian, Singapore was already familiar to Dr Qawiem. Hence, settling in Singapore felt almost seamless. The shared languages, food culture, and overall familiarity made it easy for him to feel at home. Singapore’s efficiency and convenience made daily life as a student very manageable too. 

The toughest part, according to Dr Qawiem, was being away from his wife and two daughters. While Singapore was not far from home, being away for nearly 3 years was difficult. What helped him overcome his homesickness was his passion for tennis. “It opened doors to a vibrant community in NTU and beyond. Through tennis, I met some of the most wonderful people in Singapore, which helped me balance the academic intensity with meaningful friendships,” Dr Qawiem said. 

Contributing Back to Brunei’s Education Vision

Dr Qawiem’s experience at NIE has strengthened his resolve to contribute to Brunei’s long-term educational goals. In line with Brunei Vision 2035, which emphasises producing well-educated, highly skilled citizens and strengthening teacher quality, he hopes to help nurture a generation of learners driven by curiosity and creativity. He believed that this vision requires collaboration among educators, researchers and policymakers, something NIE has modelled well through its partnership with Singapore’s MOE. 

Advice for Aspiring Postgraduate Students

To those who are considering a postgraduate study, Dr Qawiem’s advice was simple – choose the right supervisor and the right programme. 

“NIE excels in both areas, offering outstanding faculty, resources, and opportunities. However, your postgraduate experience also depends on how willing you are to step outside your comfort zone. My most rewarding moments came when I pushed myself beyond what was familiar. And in doing so, I earned the Dean’s Commendation for Research 2025, built lifelong friendships, and achieved things I am truly proud of,” Dr Qawiem said. 

Pursue Your Research Journey at NIE NTU, Singapore

As a multidisciplinary research institute, NIE offers a comprehensive suite of graduate programmes that nurture scholars, educators, and leaders across disciplines. Its research not only advances theoretical understanding but also provides evidence-based insights that shape educational reforms and innovations across Singapore and beyond.

If you aspire to expand your knowledge through research and hone your skills as an educator like Dr Qawiem in an inspiring and nurturing environment like NIE, consider applying for NIE NTU, Singapore. 

Applications for the August 2026 intake are open until 28 November 2025 for research programmes. 

Learn more about the application process and programme details at https://ntu.sg/nieGradProgIntake. 

The National Institute of Education (NIE) is an autonomous institute under Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. It is ranked among the world’s top 12 universities and Asia’s top three education institutions in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject.

Read the original article here. 

Source: Borneo Bulletin. All rights reserved.