PENANG, October 2017 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has moved up the ranks to be among the top 50 universities in Asia.

This was released on 17 October 2017 by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, based on the latest QS University Rankings 2018: Asia, together with the rankings of other universities in the country.

Overall, USM is placed 46^th among Asian universities, improved on its 2016/17 performance by 5 places (#51). USM is ranked 4^th among the 27 Malaysian institutions, both public and private, that were evaluated in this ranking exercise.

In the 2018 edition, the institution performed among the top 11% in the QS Asia University Rankings. Considering there are approximately 11,900 universities regionally, this makes USM one of the top 1.0% universities in Asia.

Other local universities that have made it to the Top 50 in Asia include University of Malaya (UM), placed 24th; Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) at 36th, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) at the 43rd spot; and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) at the 49th spot.

A statement from QS said that, it has been a “highly successful year for Malaysian institutions, with 18 of 27 institutions improving their rank.” Included in the rankings were 22 Malaysian public and private universities which are ranked within Asia’s top 300.

The Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh, in the press statement mentioned that this has been the best ever performance by the local universities, and which is in line with the move to make Malaysia a higher education hub, and also being part of Shift 8: Global Prominence, as stated in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education).

Idris also congratulated the universities and said that the Ministry will continue to provide support towards achieving prominence and excellence, in ensuring the creation of a dynamic and innovative academic ecosystem, and for the universities to continue Soaring Upwards.

The QS World University Rankings is tabulated and published annually by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). It names the world's top universities as well as regional placings of the universities. Being one of the most referred of its kind, it is the only international ranking exercise to be approved by the International Ranking Expert Group (IREG).

Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin & Tan Ewe Hoe