UM sets the bar for local unis

Malaysia’s tertiary institutions achieving improved world rankings

PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya (UM) continues to hold dominant position – among local institutions – in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021, appearing in 36 subject tables and sitting within the top 100 for 15 of them.

UM’s environmental sciences, and pharmacy and pharmacology courses also entered the top 100 for the first time, ranking 89th and 97th respectively.

It rose six places to 32nd for the Library and Information Management subject, and ranked 62nd for Education and English Language and Literature.

It also ranked in the top 100 for Engineering – Chemical (69th); Business and Management Studies (76th); Computer Science and Information Systems (78th); Accounting and Finance (79th) and Modern Languages (85th).

In the 51-100 band are Development Studies; Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies; Engineering – Civil & Structural and Geography.

UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor was elated over the achievements.

“These results, together with the steady rise of the university, both regionally in Asia as well as internationally, are testament to the success of UM’s strategic plans.

“It is also due to the efforts of UM staff, students and other stakeholders to uplift the university as an internationally competitive institution whose academic standards stand tall among the world’s top universities,’’ he said.

In total, 32 Malaysian programmes made the 11th edition of the rankings, with 12 of them entering the rankings by subject for the first time.

This year’s rankings saw 178 programmes across 51 academic disciplines at 20 Malaysian higher education institutions making the list.

Sectors with the most local higher education institutions ranked are Business and Management with 13 institutions, Electrical and Electronic Engineering with 12 institutions and Computer Science and Information Systems with 11 institutions.

According to QS Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), there has also been a year-on-year increase in the number of local programmes achieving the top 100 and top 200 ranks.

Taylor’s University was the highest-ranked Malaysian institute, sitting at number 17 for Hospitality and Leisure Management.

Vice-chancellor and president Prof Michael Driscoll said Taylor’s strategy of curriculum innovation and nimble response to the evolving education landscape has ensured its consistent success in this area.

“We recognise that the pandemic has changed the playing field for universities very rapidly.

“Taylor’s has pivoted quickly to provide innovative borderless learning experiences and equip students with the tools, life skills and networks to ensure that they are workready when they graduate,” he said.

Next in the ranking was Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), at 23 in Petroleum Engineering and 47 in Mineral Engineering.

Deputy vice-chancellor (academic) Prof Dr Hilmi Mukhtar credited this to UTP’s consistently focused execution towards becoming a leader in tech education and a centre for innovation.

UCSI University’s Institute of Music was ranked Malaysia’s best music school in the performing arts category, placing 45th in the world.

The institute’s director Prof Dr P’ng Tean Hwa said this recognition would encourage them to set even higher standards in educating Malaysian musicians.

UCSI’s Faculty of Engineering Technology and Built Environment, Faculty of Business and Management and Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management (FHTM) were ranked fifth, seventh and third respectively in Malaysia.

Its Hospitality and Leisure Management Department also made its debut in the rankings, appearing in the 51-100 band.

QS spokesperson Jack Moran said: “Over the last five years, key stakeholders in Malaysian higher education have worked hard to improve global visibility and cross-border collaborations of its universities.”

For Malaysia to continue rising in the rankings and sustain its global reputation, “it is imperative that high-quality Malaysian research is submitted to reputable journals, which will have stronger, enduring positive effects on the sector’s outcomes”.

The list of rankings can be found at https://www.TopUniversities.com/subject-rankings/2021.