Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has achieved a major academic milestone by entering the ranks of the world's "Top 150 under 50" of the prestigious Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings for 2018.

Internationally-recognized for quality education and applied research, ADU was also placed 16th among best private universities in the world, adding to the young institutions’ repertoire of accolades, which is especially significant considering that ADU was only established 15 years ago, reported state news agency Wam.

Since its inception, ADU has achieved a solid global academic standing through setting new standards of excellence in quality of teaching, cutting-edge scientific research, and community service, it stated.

On the significant achievement, ADU board chairman Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, said: "We are proud to receive this prestigious recognition of our world-class academic offerings. These achievements are yet another testament to the quality of higher education in the UAE, which is a source of pride for us all, and a strong indicator that ADU is on the right track."

"Inspired by this achievement, we will continue our quest for excellence and global recognition with a renewed sense of responsibility and purpose," noted Al Dhaheri.

QS World University Rankings is an annual publication of university rankings by QS. It is the only international ranking to have received International Ranking Expert Group (IREG) approval and is viewed as one of the most widely read of its kind, along with Academic Ranking of World Universities and Times Higher Education World University Rankings.