Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) was ranked 136th in the Quacquarelli Symonds Asia University Ranking 2023 (QSAUR) which featured other 760 Asian universities.
The competition among Asian universities remains fierce pushing UTB ranking from 126th last year to 136th this year. This intense competition is also noticed in the fact that Peking University, China is now ranked first in the QSAUR 2023, a position formerly held by the National University of Singapore (NUS).
The participating institutions were assessed based on eleven indicators which include Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty Student, Staff with PhD, Citations per Paper, Papers per Faculty, International Research Network, International Faculty, International Students, Inbound Exchange, and Outbound Exchange.
The methodology used to create the ranking is similar to that used for QS World University Rankings (QSWUR), but it additionally takes into consideration a set of performance metrics tailored for the region.
The university performed well in the QSAUR 2023 particularly in the Faculty Student indicator, which was rated 12th regionally – the strongest one for UTB. This indicator assesses the ratio of full-time academic staff members employed per student enrolled. It gives an idea of how much contact time and academic support students at the institution may expect to receive. This achievement demonstrates the university’s commitment of providing a high quality of teaching with aspiring academic staff who provide students with the guidance to achieve academic excellence.
This aligns with one of the UTB’s strategic focus areas to provide quality education, in which the university is committed to promote and develop a culture of excellence, innovation inclusion, commitment and respect.
Other key indicators that have improved UTB’s position from last year are scores from Paper Per Faculty and Inbound Exchange sectors. These encouraging developments will provide further impetus for the university to strive towards accomplishing its vision to become ‘A Global University Impacting Society’.
UTB as a young and striving university has climbed 29 places in the ranking over 5 years from its first participation in QSAUR in 2018. In the most recent 2023 edition, UTB was among the top 18% university in the QSAUR and the university was ranked 27th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2023: South-Eastern Asia. This achievement is commendable for UTB as a young university despite the slight decline in the QSAUR ranking. UTB is moving forward to re-strategise to address the competitive environment for the next QSAUR.
Vice-Chancellor of UTB, Datin Paduka Professor Dr Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman expressed her gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muízzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Government for His Majesty’s strong leadership, vision, and continuous support. Vice-Chancellor also adds that the achievement is made possible as a result of the commitment of its Principal Officers, Planning and Development Office, staff, and students. Despite its young age, UTB has accomplished several milestones and currently in the same league with top universities for being named a Five Plus Star University by QS.
While UTB’s involvement in the QSAUR established a benchmark for its development compared to other international universities in Asia, it also serves as recognition of UTB’s ability to make a positive impact and substantial difference in Asia’s higher education.
