UM ranks 87th in world university rankings

PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya has shown consistent performance by being ranked 87th in the 2019 QS World University Rankings.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik noted that UM has also made it to the Top 50 in the world in seven subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject last year.

“It is clear that our universities have built a solid reputation among their international peers,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Congratulating the other Malaysian universities in the rankings, he said the ministry would continue to support and facilitate the researchers in working with their international partners.

He hoped UM would break into the Top 50 in the QS World University Rankings next year and also hoped other universities in the top 200 could break into the top 100.

Dr Maszlee said the Government would keep to its promise to grant varsities more autonomy.

This, he added, was essential to help them forge their own path forward and was in line with international practices.

“We want all universities to enjoy their academic freedom,” he said.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is in 184th place, with Universiti Putra Malaysia at 202nd place and Universiti Sains Malaysia at 207th.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is ranked 228th while Universiti Teknologi Petronas is 521-530, Universiti Utara Malaysia (601-650), International Islamic University Malaysia (651-700) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (751-800).

The other institutions in the rankings are UCSI University at 481, Taylor’s University at 601-650, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (701-750) and Multimedia University (801-1000).

UM vice-chancellor Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim attributed its success to UM’s staff members for their dedication towards their goals based on the university’s strategic plan to strengthen its fundamentals, particularly in teaching, research and international collaboration.

In a statement, he said the work done by his predecessors in the past had laid a strong foundation for UM.

The last time UM was ranked 89th was in the World University Rankings 2004, which was published by the then Times Higher Education Supplement (THES).