Malaysian varsities excel again

PETALING JAYA: All five Malaysian research universities are in the top 50 of the 2019 edition of the QS University Rankings: Asia with Universiti Malaya (UM) breaking into the top 20.

UM is in joint 19th place with China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is in 34th place followed by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. (see table).

The rankings were released today and include the region’s 500 best universities.

UPM vice-chancellor Prof Datin Paduka Dr Aini Ideris said the university achieved high scores in international research network, international faculty and international students.

“UPM has continuously shown a positive performance for the past five years,” she said.

Taylor’s University vice-chancellor and president Prof Michael J. Driscoll said its improved performance is proof that its approach to teaching and learning resonates well with students and top players in the industry.

“To be within the top 100 universities in Asia by 2022, we will be strengthening our research capabi­lities and developing strategic partnerships,” he said.

Taylor’s University is in joint 135th place with Comsats Institute of Information Technology, Pakistan.

UCSI University vice-chancellor and president Senior Prof Datuk Dr Khalid Yusoff welcomed the 34-spot climb, describing it as further indication of the outcome of measures to enhance its academic strengths.

“The rise in UCSI’s international profile over the past year is most encouraging,” he said. UCSI University is in 178th spot this year.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman president Prof Datuk Dr Chuah Hean Teik said the rankings should be taken in the right spirit for further improvement.

“We should not forget the vision and mission of the university, and the fundamentals of education,” he added. The institution jumped to 188 this year.

QS director of research Ben Sowter said Malaysia has followed its successful year in the QS world rankings with noteworthy results in the regional version.

“It has five universities in the top 50 and the country’s top 19 universities have all moved up,” he added.

For more information, visit https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/asian-university-rankings/2019.