PUTRAJAYA – Twenty-two universities in Malaysia improved their spots in the Quacquarelli-Symonds Asia University Rankings (QS-AUR) 2022, four institutions retained their positions, while 10 others dropped ranks.
The Higher Education Ministry in a statement today said Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia are among the universities that improved their rankings.
“The four universities that retained their positions are Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan,” the statement noted.
The ministry said QS-AUR 2022 showed 36 local varsities participated this year, compared with 35 previously.
UM announced in a statement on Tuesday that it has been ranked eighth in QS-AUR 2022, one rung up from last year – marking its place among the 10 best-ranked universities since the list was published in 2009.
According to the ministry, the improvement in rankings by local universities signify that they can compete with varsities in other Asian countries – despite various challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This success shows that Malaysia can be a premier higher education hub in the Asian region,” the ministry said.
Meanwhile, QS World University Rankings research director Ben Sowter said universities in Malaysia continue to rise in rankings even with stiff competition.
Overall, 687 universities from 18 countries – including 40 new entrants – participated in QS-AUR 2022, the largest ever comparison conducted in the Asian region.
QS-AUR 2022 is based on 11 main performance indicators, including academic reputation, graduate marketability, quality of research and productivity, international faculty ratio, and international collaborations with various institutions. – Bernama, November 4, 2021
