The UTAR Research and Development (R&D) Roadmap 2021 – 2032 for faculties and research centres was introduced in 2021 to further enhance R&D activities in UTAR. This is a continuation of the Research Roadmap which ended in 2014. This Roadmap is the start of a big conversation on what actions need to be taken and how we can maximise the economic, environmental and societal impact of research through effective application of new knowledge.
The UTAR 10-Year Strategic Plan 2023-2032 was launched on 16 December 2022. In the strategic plan, the educational goal is enhanced to include the education of youths who will be forward-thinking, ethical and global professionals and entrepreneurs who engage in lifelong learning and contribute to society with greater impact. Several professional development initiatives are also in place to inculcate lifelong learning and growth mindset among UTAR staff and students.
UTAR’s focus on teaching and research excellence has earned the university much recognition especially at the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2022 where UTAR is ranked #1001–1200 and #351-400 respectively. UTAR’s Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2023 stands at a ranking of #301–400.
UTAR is also ranked 86th (Top 90) listed in the SDG 4: Quality Education table. The Times Higher Education 2023 Impact Rankings is the fifth edition and the overall ranking includes more than 1,115 universities (Note: Please check, this times more than 1500 universities) from over 94 countries/region. This latest ranking as well as UTAR positioned 91st for World's Most Sustainable University in UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2022 highlight the university’s strategic achievements and its direction in the right path in support of the SDGs.
UTAR is at present ranked #801-1000 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2023 and ranked #174 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2023. This bears testimony of UTAR’s efforts who has always aimed for excellence in its educational, research and internationalisation initiatives.
The university is proud of the many committed researchers, whose dedication has earned them much praise and many accolades. Many have won national, regional and international awards and have gained the respect of experts from the industry. Their passion for research and their contributions in their field of expertise have added to the strong repute of the university, enhancing the foundation of the university for the people, by the people.
The previous year was filled with many meaningful projects and activities with our researchers as they manoeuvred through the pandemic. It is with pride that I present to you the following highlights in the UTAR R&D Annual Report 2022:
- Cumulative internal research funds awarded totalled RM83.32 million as of 31 December 2022, an increase of 10.1 percent from 2021.
- Cumulative external research funds solicited as of 31 December 2022 amounted to RM76.57 million, an increase of 9.95 percent from 2021
. - Scholastic publications cited (cumulative generated as of 13 June 2023) in Scopus rose from 6,203 in 2021 to 7,211 in 2022.
- The cumulative number of citations of publications (from year 2002 till 2022) generated as of 13 June 2023) in Scopus increased from 78,598 in 2021 to 102,821 in 2022.
These are just a few of the many accomplishments in R&D, and the university is certainly constantly evaluating for improvements and expansion including developing a cooperative research framework with other institutions and professions. We have signed over 510 memorandums of understandings with foreign and local universities and industry partners to facilitate research collaborations, mutual educational visits, academic and student exchanges, and joint developments in teaching methodologies.
