Still tops: UM continues to lead among Malaysian varsities in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya (UM) remains the country’s top university, according to the Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS) World University Rankings: Asia (QS-AUR) 2024.
Malaysia’s premier university sits in 12th place out of 984 universities in Asia, third in South-East Asia, and first in Malaysia.
Although it fell a spot from last year, UM increased its overall score by 4.6 points, and is the national leader in three of QS’ indicators, including Academic and Employer Reputation, in which it placed 16th and ninth, respectively, while coming in fourth on the International Research Network indicator.
“The institution aims to sustain and enhance its strategic and critical position as the nation’s foremost leader and innovator in academic and research excellence, pioneering new breakthroughs for global advancement and humanity,” UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said yesterday.
“With our new tagline, home of the bright, land of the brave, UM will continue to strive for excellence into the future.”
Second in the country is Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), which now sits at 20, while Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is third in Malaysia and 26th in Asia.
Rounding off Malaysia’s research universities are Universiti Teknologi Malaysia which moved from 37 to 28, while Universiti Sains Malaysia dropped two ranks to 37.
Taylor’s University maintains its position as Malaysia’s top private university, climbing five places to secure 36th spot, reaffirming its position as South-East Asia’s leading private university for the fourth year and solidifying its standing within Asia’s top 50.
It improved across 11 key indicators including Academic Reputation, International Research Network, Employer Reputation and International Student Ratio.
Taylor’s University is also the national leader, placing 40th for the Citations metric.
Taylor’s University vice-chancellor and president Prof Barry Winn said this achievement is a testament to the university’s evolving influence.
“This ranking is a reflection of our unwavering dedication to purposeful education.
“Through a culture of continuous innovation in teaching, research, and collaboration, we are preparing our students to build a future filled with possibilities,” he added.
UCSI University is now ranked 45th in Asia after making a 16-spot climb and breaking into Asia’s top 50 for the first time.
UCSI vice-chancellor Prof Emerita Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir said the new milestone showed the university is moving in the right direction.
“This is the result of hard work, consistency and grit. I would like to thank UCSI students and staff for going beyond themselves year after year,” she added.
Also climbing up is Sunway University from 103 to 74, Management and Science University from 155 to 129 and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman from 160 to 131.
This round, 65% of Malaysian universities moved up the rankings, more than any other country or territory.
More Malaysian universities rose than dropping in this ranking, with 26 moving up, 11 sliding, while two remain stable within their bands.
INTI International University sees Malaysia’s greatest improvement in this year’s ranking, climbing 52 positions to place 170th, making it the third most improved university in Asia.
QS senior vice-president Ben Sowter said: “Malaysia’s rise in the QS rankings reflects a commitment to excellence across key functions of higher education, including research impact and internationalisation.
“This progress supports Malaysia’s vision of becoming a high-income, knowledge-based economy driven by technology, innovation, and globalisation,” Sowter said.
