BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) has been placed seventh in Southeast Asia in the inaugural Times Higher Education (THE) South-East Asia Pilot University Ranking, published on Wednesday (March 11), making UBD the only university from Brunei Darussalam to earn a place in the top 10.
Assessed against 104 ranked institutions from Asean member states, UBD’s position is both a validation of what has been built and a signal of where Brunei Darussalam’s higher education is headed.
This is the first time THE has focused its globally trusted ranking methodology exclusively on Southeast Asia.
The region has been described by THE as “one of the world’s most dynamic emerging hubs for research and innovation”.
UBD’s position among the leading institutions in this inaugural ranking, alongside universities from Singapore and Malaysia, reflects sustained and deliberate investment in research quality, academic rigour, and a clear sense of institutional purpose.
UBD’s placement in the top 10 carries weight beyond the number itself. Southeast Asia is a region of 700 million people and accelerating academic ambition, home to some of the world’s fastest-rising research institutions.
Recognition in this inaugural assessment reflects a university that has chosen depth over breadth and impact over volume.
What distinguishes UBD is its intention. As a smaller university in a country of under half a million people, UBD’s research output punches decisively above its weight.
A Research Quality score of 80.5 out of 100, which is among the strongest in the region, reflects the influence and citation reach of UBD’s published scholarship. This is research that is read, referenced, and built upon globally.
“This recognition belongs to every member of the UBD community, from our researchers who ask difficult questions, our faculty who shape the next generation of thinkers, and to our students who carry the work forward,” UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri Kifle said.
“It confirms that a university grounded in its nation’s values of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) can earn its place on the world stage. This is our journey. And we are not finished.”
Brunei Darussalam is a small nation with a fervent commitment to knowledge. UBD’s position in this ranking is an expression of that commitment made visible, demonstrating that world-class research and teaching are a result of focus, resolve, and the courage to compete on merit.
As THE prepares a fuller, more inclusive edition of the Southeast Asia University Rankings which is designed to lower entry thresholds and capture a broader range of institutions, UBD enters that future from a position of strength.
UBD continues to actively expand its international research collaborations, deepening ties with industry and government partners, and shaping graduates equipped to contribute to Brunei’s Vision 2035 and beyond.
The ranking is a pilot analysis drawing from the THE World University Rankings 2026, applied exclusively to institutions from all Asean member states.
It assessed almost 200 universities across 17 weighted performance metrics, the same rigorous framework used to rank institutions globally, covering teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.
THE has confirmed plans for an official, expanded edition of the ranking in future years. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
