The push for global recognition necessitates higher education institutions to partake in international assessments especially in prominent ranking systems such as the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) University Ranking, Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings and World Universities with Real Impact (WURI) Ranking Systems. The ranking systems provide valuable insights into the overall performance and reputation of universities, enabling to gauge their standing on a global scale.
Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) have successfully placed themselves among world ranked universities in the QS and THE rankings. In 2023, UBD ranked 60th in THE Asia Rankings and 16th in THE World’s Best Small Universities Rankings. UTB has also consistently achieved a 5 Star Plus rating since 2018 in QS.
The two institutions have been awarded the highest rating for its teaching, employability, internationalisation, facilities, social responsibility and inclusiveness.
In a remarkable achievement, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) received a five-star rating from the QS assessment agency for 2023-2026. This recognition spans teaching, employability, academic development, internationalisation, and facilities, highlighting UNISSA’s commitment to global standards. Other noteworthy recognitions in 2023 include the Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM) Award and consistent ranking in the top 201-300 for Innovation (WURI).
Meanwhile, Politeknik Brunei (PB) has initiated a transformative journey, introducing a series of enhancements to its educational framework, commencing with the upcoming 13th intake in the July 2023 session for the 2023/2024 academic year.
PB has enhanced its educational offerings by reducing the minimum credit requirements for 18 Level 5 Diploma programmes from three years to two-and-a-half years, while maintaining high academic standards. Additionally, eight Diploma programmes have been rebranded to better align with industry needs.
Universiti Teknologi Brunei
Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) is an engineering and technology university in the Sultanate. It offers programmes in various fields, including Engineering, Business, Computing, Applied Sciences and Mathematics, Design, and Communication. UTB was initially established as a higher learning institution offering Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in Engineering, Business and Computing before being upgraded to a university.
As a young and striving university, UTB was first ranked in the Asia World Ranking in 2018 and followed in 2019. This achievement demonstrates the university’s commitment to providing high-quality teaching with aspiring academic staff who provide students with the guidance to achieve academic excellence. Additionally, UTB has increased in the ranks for Academic Reputation, highlighting the quality of its research and approach to academic partnership and its impact on education, innovativeness and society. In QSWUR: Asia 2024, UTB is rated first for International Faculty Ratio and Research Citations among Institutions of Higher Learning in Brunei Darussalam.
UTB is the only local university to receive a five-star ranking from the QS Stars rating, putting it on par with other prestigious universities worldwide. UTB is also the first university to successfully acquire the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification by the Bureau Veritas in 2019.
The university has been inaugurated in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024, marking its proactive stance in addressing the world’s most pressing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) challenges. Positioned within the range of 1201+ overall and an impressive 390 in Asia, UTB’s entry into this prestigious ranking highlights its commitment to driving meaningful change on a global scale.
The university has also received multiple accolades in recent years. The School of Computing and Informatics earned the British Computer Society, the Chartered Institute for information technology (IT), accreditation in July 2023 for all its four-year undergraduate and Master by Coursework programmes. The programmes are accredited as full Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and partial Chartered Engineering (CEng), enabling graduates to register as a full CITP and/or partial CEng.
UTB School of Business achieved international accreditation from the prestigious European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) in June 2023, establishing itself as a world-class institution.
UTB graduates are well-positioned to support the role of engineering in building a more sustainable and equitable world. The Master of Science in Civil Engineering programme is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), a crucial foundation for the practice of engineering at the professional level.
The Mechanical Engineering Bachelors and Master programmes from the Faculty of Engineering are accredited by the world-renowned Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), United Kingdom.
Moving beyond accolades, UTB remains steadfast in its mission to advance sustainable development goals, actively contributing to environmental preservation and societal impact through continued dedication and innovative initiatives.
The university has also restructured all programmes except those from the Faculty of Engineering, which went from a four-year programme to a three-year one. This effort was to make its graduates more competitive in the job market and align the university with other universities worldwide.
Prospective students can upgrade their skills and knowledge through the UTB Postgraduate Micro-Credentials programme. It is equivalent to a qualification at Level 7 of the Brunei Darussalam Qualifications Framework. Upon completing the modules, students can obtain postgraduate certifications and, finally, a Master’s qualification by accumulating enough credit values. The programme is designed for career and personal development for working professionals and recent graduates.
Through the ExperiencePLUS programme, the university aims to give students a more diverse academic experience, industry placements, and research opportunities. Students may apply for scholarships and exchange programmes abroad, such as in the United States, Japan and Malaysia. UTB has also partnered with local industries to provide its students with vital work experience and prepare them for careers post-graduation. UTB’s local industry partners include the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI), Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) and E-Government National Centre (EGNC).
The university is committed to improving its industrial research outreach and developing new capabilities and resources critical to sustainable engineering and technology development in line with Brunei Vision 2035. UTB strives to become a university that enriches knowledge and solves contemporary issues focusing on energy, sustainable built environment, agri-food, digital and creativity, society and enterprise, and wellness.
With its high-quality education, hands-on approach, and industry-based programmes, UTB has produced graduates who are readily accepted by top universities worldwide and highly valued by employers in the country and abroad.
UTB’s vision is to become a global university of the future, and its mission is to produce towering talents for a sustainable, global and enterprising society deeply rooted in its national philosophy Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) towards realising Brunei Vision 2035.