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Institution also among top 250 in global rank

PETALING JAYA: Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) is now Asean’s top private university and the first Malaysian institution to break into the top 250 universities according to the Times Higher Education’s (THE) World University Rankings.

Climbing about 100 spots from the 301–350 band last year, it now sits in the 201-250 band, maintaining pole position among the 23 Malaysian institutions featured in the rankings.

Since 2017, UTP has steadily ascended the rankings, moving from the 601-850 band to the top 250 universities in the world yesterday.

UTP vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib said the university’s rise in rankings is evidence of its unwavering focus on academic and research excellence, strong industry collaborations and a commitment to producing future-ready graduates.

“It reflects the steadfast dedication and commitment of our faculty, staff members, students and alumni,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He also said the university’s strategic focus on becoming a research-led university while maintaining its commitment to teaching excellence enabled it to produce industry-demand and future-proof graduates.

Second in the country is Universiti Malaya (UM) which remained in the 251–300 band.

Coming in third nationally is Sunway University, which is Malaysia’s best performing institution jumping from the 601–800 to the 401–500 band.

It is also the highest ranked non-government-linked private university in Malaysia and Asean.

Sunway University president Prof Sibrandes Poppema said the main drivers of this rapid growth have been the score in Research Quality (86.4), which is now the highest in Malaysia, and the score in International Outlook (83.1) that reflects increasing numbers of international students, staff and collaborations.

“I am confident that Sunway University will be able to reach the top 200 in the next few years and continue our path towards the ambition of Tan Sri Sir Jeffrey Cheah to become the Harvard of the East,” he added.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Utara Malaysia round up the other universities in the top 500, all sitting in the 401-500 band.

In a statement yesterday, 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 went up, three universities went down the ranking and 15 stayed in the same position.

Newcomer Management and Science University (MSU) joins the rankings in band 801-1000.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) sits in the 1001-1200 band.

Maintaining its position as world’s top university for the ninth consecutive year is Oxford University, United Kingdom.

The United States of America’s Massachusetts Institute of Technology took second place, while Harvard University is in third place.

The full rankings can be viewed on https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/10/10/utp-is-aseans-top-private-university