Leading the way: Universiti Malaya ranks among Asia’s top 10 for Employer Reputation and top 20 for Academic Reputation. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya (UM) remains the nation’s best in its overall position out of the 41 Malaysian universities featured and is 3rd among Asean universities in the Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS) World University Rankings: Asia (QS-AUR) 2024.
The latest edition of the ranking sees Malaysia’s premier university continues to maintain its top-20 position, ranking 11 this year.
Despite falling two places over the 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.
UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said the university would continue to strive to push the boundaries of knowledge and nurture aspiring leaders.
“I am pleased that Universiti Malaya continues to elevate Malaysia on the global stage through our dedication, commitment and hard work towards serving the nation and impacting the world,” he said in a statement yesterday.
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’s is 11th in Asia for research, which also has 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 in the list.
It also enjoys having 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.
Its progress is marked by significant growth in five key indicators – International Research Number, Citations per Paper, Faculty-Student Ratio, International Faculty and Academic Reputation.
Taylor’s University vice-chancellor and president Prof Michael Driscoll said this was a pivotal moment for the university, particularly as the institution advanced its mission to deliver purposeful learning within its curriculum.
UCSI University is now ranked 61st in Asia after climbing 11spots in the rankings.
Its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir said that the regional rankings trend resulted from years of hard work.
With a total of 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 was forging a path to attract global talent and bolster its intellectual resources.
China’s Peking University maintained its top position in the region with the University of Hong Kong coming in second.
Third went to 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.
