PETALING JAYA: A Malaysian university has been ranked among the top 250 in the latest edition of the Times Higher Education’s (THE) World University Rankings for the first time.
The 2025 edition of the world-renowned rankings sees Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) moving into the 201-250 band from last year’s 301–350 band.
It is also the top-performing Malaysian varsity in the rankings, with 2,092 universities worldwide.
The country’s second-highest-ranked university, Universiti Malaya (UM), remains in the 251–300 band.
Meanwhile, Sunway University is the country’s best-performing institution, jumping from the 601–800 band to the 401–500 band.
The other four universities in the top 500 are Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Utara Malaysia.
In a statement on Wednesday (Oct 9), THE said Malaysia’s good scores in the research excellence and research influence metrics contributed significantly to its performance, and it is particularly successful in the international metrics.
Its chief global affairs officer, Phil Baty, said they expect to see further success as Malaysia emerges as a strengthening global education hub.
“Transformations are taking place in Malaysian higher education, including attracting more international students as part of its efforts to globally promote its universities as well as growing research strength, which is paying dividends as a university breaks into the top 250 of THE's World University Rankings 2025,” he said.
Of Malaysia’s 23 universities, four rose in ranking, three fell, and 15 stayed the same.
Meanwhile, newcomer Management and Science University (MSU) joins the rankings in the 801-1000 band.
Oxford University, United Kingdom, tops the chart globally for a record-breaking ninth consecutive year.
The United States of America’s Massachusetts Institute of Technology took second place, followed by Harvard University in third place.
The full rankings can be viewed at https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking
