KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 26): Universiti Teknologi Petronas has retained its position as the nation's number one private university in the QS Asia University Rankings 2021. 

In terms of ranking, UTP now ranks 70th, a 12-spot jump from 82nd last year — the university’s highest achievement so far, according to a statement dated Nov 25.

UTP Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib commented: “I am pleased to see that our strategic partnerships with the universities in the region as well as the high quality graduates that we produce are recognised by diverse industries, which contributed to our standing in the rankings.”

The university has improved its performance across four of the eleven metrics utilised by QS, namely academic reputation, employer reputation, staff with PhD and inbound exchange students. 

Due to the achievement, UTP said it placed in the top 11% out of 634 published institutions in the rankings.   

“Since its debut in 2016, UTP has been on an upward trajectory and improved significantly in the rankings. For five consecutive years, it has consistently climbed the rankings, from 127 in 2017 and 101 in 2018. 

“In 2019, it impressively reached the Top 100 for the first time and was ranked 99th, and in 2020, the university climbed 17 more places to reach the 82nd place. UTP has now risen 57 places in the rankings since 2016,” UTP added.