PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya (UM) once again leads the way among local institutions in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings: Asia.
The 2024 edition of the ranking sees Malaysia’s premier university maintain its top-20 position, ranking 11 this year.
Despite falling two places from last year, UM’s top-20 status in the region is based on its outstanding recognition among the world’s academics and employers.
It ranks among Asia’s top 10 for Employer Reputation and top 20 for Academic Reputation.
UM also produces Malaysia’s most impactful research and is Asia’s third-most international research institution.
Second in the country is Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), which improved from 27 to 25, while third is Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), which also improved two spots from 30 to 28.
UPM is 11th in Asia for research, supported by Malaysia’s highest staff expertise, according to the Staff with PhD indicator, in which it ranks 21st regionally.
Rounding off Malaysia’s research universities are Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), which dropped three spots to 35, while Universiti Teknologi Malaysia moved up two ranks to 37.
Meanwhile, Taylor’s University is Malaysia’s highest-ranking private institution on the list.
It also enjoys Malaysia’s highest teaching capacity, according to Faculty per Student Ratio, in which a score of 92/100 places it among Asia’s top 50, the only local institution to achieve this result.
With 41 Malaysian universities making it into the rankings, Malaysia boasts one of Asia’s most international student cohorts, indicating it is an attractive study destination.
Additionally, the list includes five new universities that have made it to the ranking for the first time.
With 41.5% of its universities moving up the rankings, Malaysia is the region’s second most improved location among locations with 10 or more universities ranked.
QS senior vice-president Ben Sowter said: “The expansion and internationalisation of Malaysia’s higher education system are pivotal for its evolution into a high-income, knowledge-based economy.”
He said with the government’s strategic investments and policy reforms, including a significant allocation in Budget 2023 and a comprehensive overhaul of the TVET system, the country is forging a path to attract global talent and bolster its intellectual resources.
China’s Peking University maintains its position as top in the region, with the University of Hong Kong coming in second.
The third rank goes to the National University of Singapore, which fell from the second spot last year.
The 15th edition of the rankings features 857 institutions from 25 countries and territories, with 149 ranking for the first time.
