Universiti Teknologi Brunei entered the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2018 at 165 on 17 October 2017. Over 600 institutions across the continent were evaluated and provisionally 450 universities were shortlisted but only 400 universities were included in the published tables. Published annually since 2009, the QS Asia University Rankings highlights the top universities in Asia each year. QS Asia University Rankings analyses four basic criteria in its rankings, which include global reputation, research impact and productivity, teaching commitment and internationalisation.
With this debut ranking, UTB is in the 30th place for all universities in Southeast Asia and in the 9th place for Engineering and Technology University in Southeast Asia. This makes UTB the youngest university, below 10 years of age, to be entered into the QS Asia University Rankings within the top 165. UTB is comfortably above well-established universities such as King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (171), Multimedia University (179), Kyoto Institute of Technology (183), Prince of Songkhla University (188), Dankook University (190), Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (196) and others.
UTB’s vision is to be amongst the best 10 universities for engineering and technology in Southeast Asia by 2018. With the recent achievements in QS, UTB has preceded its very own vision by being in the best nine universities for Engineering and Technology in Southeast Asia before its target year of 2018 and in a better position than expected. The top nine universities in Engineering and Technology in Southeast Asia include Nanyang Technological University, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Bandung Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Chiang Mai University, Taylor’s University, Universiti Teknologi MARA – UiTM and Universiti Teknologi Brunei. UTB is ranked 16th in international faculty, 19th in outbound exchange, 42nd in faculty student ratio and 60th in international students.
UTB also debuted in the QS Star Rating, attaining four stars overall after scoring five full stars in six out of seven categories, following rigorous and independent data collection and analysis of performance metrics as set out in the QS Stars methodology. UTB receives five stars in Teaching, Employability, Internationalization, Facilities, Social Responsibility, and Inclusiveness.
At the recent UTB Convocation 2017, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Chancellor of UTB, in his Titah said “UTB has attained a four-star rating in the overall assessment by QS. Such achievement is meaningful to UTB as it has not reached 10 years, but has been capable to receive recognition like long-established universities.”
Meanwhile the Minister of Education and Chairman of UTB Council, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman said “Congratulation to the Vice-Chancellor, staff and students of UTB on entering QS Asian ranking. This achievement is a great honour to UTB where it is now recognised like any other prestigious universities.” He hopes UTB will continue to succeed in efforts to improve UTB’s performance and provide useful knowledge to students.
Professor Dr. Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman also shares her joy, “Alhamdulillah, I am very grateful to His Majesty for his strong leadership and vision in developing and enhancing STEM education in the country. I also thank Honourable Minister of Education and UTB Council for their continued trust, encouragement and support on UTB. Both achievements in star rating and ranking present significant milestones and serve as recognition of our ability to make a positive impact on education and research in Asia. UTB is now embarking on a journey where it has to continually progress and make a significant difference in higher education.”
The entry of UTB into QS Asian Ranking will boost UTB’s profiles in the international arena and will consequently attract students, making UTB their University of choice in Engineering, Science and Technology.
