UM makes history as first Malaysian university to enter global Top 200

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's oldest university, Universiti Malaya (UM), has entered the global Top 200 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (WUR) 2027, rising to 194th and becoming the first Malaysian university to achieve the milestone.

The achievement marks a significant improvement in UM's global standing, with the university climbing from the 351-400 band in the 2023 rankings to 194th in the 2027 edition.

With 2,297 universities ranked worldwide, UM is now positioned among the top 8.5 per cent globally, while retaining its position as Malaysia's highest-ranked university in THE World University Rankings.

Universiti Malaya Vice-Chancellor Datuk Seri Professor Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said the achievement reflected the collective strength of the university and signalled a stronger Malaysian presence in global higher education.

"Breaking into the global Top 200 is not a finish line; it is a statement of intent. It shows that Universiti Malaya is moving with greater confidence, sharper purpose and stronger global relevance.

"This achievement belongs to our entire community - and it sends a clear and unyielding message that a Malaysian university can stand among the world's leading institutions when ambition is matched by discipline, talent and collective purpose," Noor Azuan said in a statement to Bernama.

He said UM was not merely building a university for rankings.

"We are building a university that the world cannot ignore - one that produces ideas that uplift humanity, research that moves society and graduates ready to lead where the future is being shaped. Recognition must translate into responsibility.

"We will use this momentum to push harder, aim higher and ensure that Malaysia's premier university continues to create value for the nation while making its mark on the world," he said.

Noor Azuan also expressed appreciation to the chancellor, pro-chancellors and board of directors for their leadership and support, as well as to the government and Malaysia's higher education community for advancing the country's global higher education aspirations.

He attributed the milestone to the collective dedication and contributions of UM's academic and professional staff, researchers, students, alumni and partners in Malaysia and around the world.

THE WUR is a research-intensive university ranking system which measures university performance across five pillars: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry and International Outlook.

Among UM's strongest areas in the 2027 rankings are International Outlook and Research Quality, reflecting its expanding global academic network, international community and growing research influence.

UM's performance in International Outlook reflects its increasingly global academic environment and extensive international collaborations as it continues to attract students, researchers and scholars from around the world.

Its performance in Research Quality underscores the reach and influence of research produced by UM scholars, including citation impact and the broader strength of the university's research output.

Together with its performance across Teaching, Research Environment and Industry, the results demonstrate UM's development as a comprehensive research university with an increasingly strong global presence.

As Universiti Malaya enters its 121st year, the latest global recognition reinforces its ambition to strengthen Malaysia's presence in international higher education while advancing its vision to create meaningful change for the world and humanity. -BERNAMA