IPOH: Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) intends to strengthen its position as an internationally recognised university and a partner of choice for industries as it marks its 20th anniversary this year.
Vice Chancellor Datuk Ir (Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim said the university is where it is today due to the guidance and direction of Petronas, as well as the transformational leadership of the university chancellors, pro-chancellors, board of directors, and vice chancellors – past and present.
“Because of their vision, wisdom and aspiration, the university started off in the right footing,” he said in his speech at UTP 20th Anniversary Dinner.
“Now armed with a brand new blueprint, the Phase 5 Masterplan, we are set to cement our position internationally.”
Abdul Rahim said UTP is always on the lookout for networking opportunities and links.
“We engage with other universities and institutions especially in the region as the benefits can be extensive especially in terms of faculty and student experiences, sharing research resources and using new and improved technology for research.
“Engaging in trans-disciplinary research will also bring us towards global prominence and we need to be more engaged to develop novel ideas and build scientific capacity amongst our talents. It will also help to shape a new generation of researchers and academics in making Malaysia a hub of scientific discovery and innovation.”
To shape its way towards global prominence, it will require everyone in the university to be focused, committed and ready to do the necessary work.
“It is certainly a team effort and every contribution will make a difference,” said the vice chancellor.
As part of the ceremony to commemorate two decades of UTP, a coffee table book titled “20 Transformational Years” was launched.
A compendium of stories and images, it traces the history of the university and some of the personalities who have travelled the journey with UTP over the years.
Present at the launch were UTP Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Sidek Hasan and chairman of UTP Board Datuk Raiha Azni Abdul Rahman.
In the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asian University Rankings 2016, UTP moved up to 127th place from the ranking range of 150-160 in the previous year.
Apart from the QS rankings, UTP for the first time made the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, coming in at the 601-800 band.
UTP has also made its debut in THE BRICS & Emerging Economies Rankings 2017 too, coming in at 91. This has placed UTP among the top 100 best research-led universities in the developing world.