Distinctive in innovation
UNIVERSITI Teknologi Petronas ( UTP) has been awarded a six- star rating for its research, development and commercialisation efforts by the Malaysia Research Assessment or MyRA.
It is the first private and non- research university in the country to receive six stars – the highest performance level for its research excellence.
The university was assessed for its research and innovation achievements from eight different areas, namely the quantity and quality of researchers, the quantity and quality of research, number of postgraduates, quality of postgraduates, innovation, professional services and gifts, networking and linkages, and support facilities.
UTP vice- chancellor Datuk Ir ( Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim says that participating in various rating and ranking initiatives was part and parcel of the university’s efforts to improve its standing and branding as a reputable provider of higher education services and credible partner for research.
“Such participation positions ourselves vis- a- vis our peers. It also helps us to understand where our strengths and gaps are, which allows us to address them appropriately for continuous improvement,” he says.
Apart from the six- star rating, the university has attained prestigious national and international recognitions in less than two decades since establishing.
One of its most significant achievements was being listed in the top 200 of the 2014 Quacquerelli Symonds ( QS) World University rankings by subject for chemical engineering.
It has since improved its position and now ranks among the top 150 in the world.
UTP’s mechanical engineering programme is ranked in the top 200, a jump from its previous position in the top 250 last year.
This is a tremendous achievement for mechanical engineering that only made its entrance into the QS ranking system last year.
The institution climbed up the ranks to be among the top 160 universities in Asia under the QS Asian University Rankings this year, making it the only private university in Malaysia to attain such a distinction.
It also ranked 288th in the 2015 QS World University Rankings for engineering and technology.
UTP’s accomplishments include an overall four- star rating from QS in 2014 as well as five- star awards in the areas of employability, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation.
“We have successfully exceeded our goals and expectations. I am confident that we can achieve future goals that we have set for ourselves. With the full support of our stakeholders especially the Government, industries, partners, students and parents, this is our way forward in achieving global prominence,” says Ir ( Dr) Abdul Rahim.
For more information, visit www. utp. edu. my.