Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) has climbed 18 places in the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings to secure the 367th position globally. This places UBD among the top 25 percent of universities worldwide out of 8,467 institutions evaluated and 1,501 ranked. This marks the second consecutive year of improvement for UBD, following a major methodology overhaul introduced in 2023.
The most significant factor in UBD’s improved ranking was its strong performance in the Academic Reputation indicator, where it rose 32 places to rank 406th globally. This metric accounts for 30 percent of the overall score, highlighting the crucial role of UBD’s enhanced academic standing in its upward trajectory. The Academic Reputation is assessed through the annual QS Academic Reputation Survey, which gathers perceptions of global academics regarding institutions demonstrating academic excellence. UBD also maintained stable performance in Employer Reputation, Citations per Faculty and International Research Network indicators year-on-year.
“As we mark UBD’s 40th anniversary, we celebrate not only our history but also our momentum. The international recognition is encouraging, but what truly defines us is our relevance, our values, and the impact of our work,” said UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri Haji Kifle. “With continued investment in research, sustainability, and innovation, UBD remains steadfast in its mission to serve the nation and the region—building on a foundation of excellence that looks forward, always.”
Since July 2024, UBD has significantly expanded its industry collaboration efforts, formalising 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with a wide spectrum of local and international partners. These strategic alliances span key sectors including finance, banking and investment, maritime and logistics, environmental and green technology, health and biomedical sciences, as well as agriculture and food security.
This milestone reflects UBD’s strong commitment to fostering innovation and delivering tangible, real-world impact through its research and talent development initiatives. By bridging academic excellence with industry needs, UBD aims to provide students and researchers with enriched opportunities for experiential learning, co-innovation, and knowledge transfer. Going forward, UBD will continue to strengthen its position as a leading catalyst for university-industry collaboration in the region.
In research, UBD marked the highest ever publication output in 2024. The university has made notable strides, particularly in areas aligned with national priorities and global relevance. Over the past three years, the university has filed over 40 patents, with eight already granted both locally and internationally. Key research domains include biodiversity, herbal medicine, halal products, Islamic governance, energy transition, climate change, cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Also in 2024, the School of Digital Sciences (SDS) received the prestigious Coursera 2024 AI Innovation Award for the Asia-Pacific Region. This award recognises UBD’s Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI) programmne as a leader in AI-driven education and innovation, reaffirming its commitment to shaping the future of digital transformation.
Remarkable achievements from SDS academics are further evidence of the global impact of UBD’s research capabilities, namely Senior Assistant Professor Dr Daphne Lai who was awarded the UL Research Institutes-ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women 2024 in the Mid-career category for her collaborative work applying Data Science and AI in tree species geo-identification, forest change detection, and mineral catalyst characterisation. Another outstanding example is Dr Rosyzie Anna Haji Md Apong who received the ASEAN Japan Cybersecurity Community Alliance (AJCCA) Cyber Resilience Award for her work and collaborations in the field of cybersecurity as well as efforts in promoting cyber resilience in Brunei Darussalam.
Initiatives in UBD are supported by strong industry collaborations designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. UBD’s research institutes and centres continue to drive impactful studies that contribute to both academic knowledge and practical solutions for societal challenges.
UBD takes a comprehensive and strategic approach to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability into its academic, research, and operational frameworks. The university’s Sustainability Master Plan, structured around five key pillars—Sustainability Research, Education, Infrastructure, Operations and Governance and Community Engagement—guides its long-term commitment to responsible growth, eco-friendly campus development and inclusive community impact. Practical steps include optimising resource use, integrating green design principles and enhancing accessibility across the campus.
UBD has also established the University Sustainability Strategy Committee, comprising members from various faculties, research centers, and administrative offices, including representatives from Brunei Darussalam’s national SDG coordination committee. This committee is led by the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Sustainability), ensuring that sustainability is embedded in all aspects of university governance and strategy. As part of this institutional commitment, UBD has introduced a dedicated Sustainability Fund to advance high-impact, sustainability-focused research. The fund is designed to support initiatives that align with national development priorities, foster inclusive community engagement and contribute meaningfully to global sustainability goals—while driving transformative change across the university and its wider ecosystem.
In terms of research and innovation, UBD is actively involved in transformative projects that address pressing global challenges. These include biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, sustainable tourism, and renewable energy. The university collaborates with international partners to produce impactful research that contributes directly to SDG targets. For example, UBD researchers are engaged in projects that explore sustainable forest management, marine ecosystem preservation and the development of green technologies.
UBD also plays a leading role in sustainability focused events and outreach, such as hosting conferences, workshops, and awareness campaigns. These events serve as platforms for dialogue and collaboration among academics, policymakers, and community stakeholders. Notable recent events include the Brunei Borneo Sustainability Summit and the Young Researchers Workshop, both of which focused on energy transition, environmental resilience and sustainable development in Borneo.
With its significant progress in academics, research and sustainable development, UBD reinforces its position as a leading institution in Southeast Asia. The university will continue to intensify engagement with industries and employers and enhance graduates’ employability as a long-term institutional priority.