Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (BKISHHB), Prime Minister’s Office, participated in the International Conference on Empowering Islamic Civilization (ICIC 2026), organised by Institut Penyelidikan Produk dan Ketamadunan Melayu Islam (INSPIRE), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Malaysia, from 5 to 7 October 2026.
Themed “Kearifan Tempatan Alam Melayu Islam Nusantara” the conference served as a platform for sharing research, exchanging knowledge and strengthening academic networks in the fields of Islamic civilisation, manuscripts and heritage preservation.
BKISHHB was represented by Pengiran Mohammad Wafi bin Pengiran Haji Abd Rahim, Ethnography Officer from the Research and Publication Division, who presented a paper entitled “Pendidikan Islam Berasaskan Muzium: Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah sebagai Destinasi Lawatan Keluarga dan Wadah Kelestarian Ummah”. The presentation highlighted BKISHHB’s potential as an informal Islamic education platform that encourages collection-based learning through its collections and exhibition materials, including through family participation.
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Among the key outcomes of the participation was the exploration of strategic collaboration opportunities between BKISHHB and UniSZA, particularly in research, manuscript cataloguing and collection digitisation. Discussions with INSPIRE also covered a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), manuscript cataloguing training opportunities for BKISHHB officers, and the sharing of UniSZA’s experience in developing the e-Manuskrip portal as a reference for exploring the potential development of a digital manuscript management system at BKISHHB.
The participation also provided exposure to the use of technology, including Virtual Reality (VR), to enhance visitors’ learning experiences and the presentation of information related to Islamic heritage. In addition, opportunities for knowledge sharing through UniSZA’s podcast programme were identified for further consideration, subject to further coordination between the two institutions.
Furthermore, academic visits to the Terengganu State Museum, Masjid Kristal, the Tomb of Sultan Zainal Abidin I and several landmarks in Kuala Terengganu provided additional insights into approaches to heritage preservation, the presentation of exhibition information, and the relationship between history, architecture and community identity.
Overall, BKISHHB’s participation in ICIC 2026 has broadened its academic networks, enhanced its exposure to research and manuscript management practices, and identified potential collaboration opportunities that could contribute to institutional development. The outcomes of this participation are expected to support BKISHHB’s continued efforts to strengthen research, preserve and disseminate Islamic heritage treasures for the benefit of the public and future generations in Brunei Darussalam.