All five Malaysian research universities are now ranked among the world's top 200, with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) jumping from 217 last year to 187 this year in the latest edition of Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS-WUR) announced recently.
Climbing up 11 places from last year's placing, Universiti Malaya (UM) is ranked 59th globally with an overall score of 70.1.
The other three institutions that made it into the world's top 150 were Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), which rose up 27 places to 132, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) up 19 places to 141 and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), which climbed 23 places to 142.
UM vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Hashim said the result represented the university being a high calibre research and educational institution.
"UM has continued its upward trajectory despite facing fiscal challenges. Increased investment will enable UM to intensify international collaborations, enhance strategic research and industry partnerships, and improve graduate employability, which are among its top priorities.
"While the university is committed to financial sustainability, its efforts are unable to yield immediate results amid a backdrop of heightened global economic and public health risks," he said, adding that UM also planned to widen its talent pool with excellent local and international staff.
UPM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Aini Ideris said that the university saw improvement for seven consecutive years in the QS-WUR, thus maintaining its position as the second best university in Malaysia.
"This achievement is in line with UPM's vision of becoming an internationally renowned university. This year's performance saw a rise in almost all indicators evaluated with international student indicators reaching the highest marks."
UKM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor said the university continued to perform strongly in all six indicators with a significant achievement on "faculty student", ranked the 72nd best internationally.
"The recognition reflects the commitment of UKM community in displaying the highest standards in our work. The improvement of the ranking compared with previous year shows that we are on the right track in improving the quality and implementation of the university's strategic plan.
"I believe that if we continue to strengthen the foundations in research, teaching and learning, internalisation and services, we will be able to maintain or improve our standing."
Hamdi said the university had always targeted to be in the top 100 under the QS-WUR, which would be a challenging and stiff competition.
Taylor's University recorded the most impressive year-on-year growth, with a huge leap of 135 places to the 379th position, breaking into the world's top 400 universities for the first time ever.
Taylor's University vice-chancellor and president Professor Michael Driscoll takes the latest global achievements as a vote of confidence in the teaching and learning strategy that the university is pursuing.
"The latest QS-WUR confirms Taylor's University as the top private university in Malaysia. It also recognises the world-class education we provide for our students.
"With the pandemic continuing to impact people and countries around, Taylor's University places the health and safety of its students and staff as top priority, while ensuring learning continuity for students from the safety of their homes."
UCSI University, which recorded a 51-spot jump, has also secured a place at the world's top 400 universities at the 391st position.
Vice-chancellor and president of UCSI University senior academician Professor Datuk Dr Khalid Yusoff said: "This continuous improvement and accomplishment reflect the strategies adopted with the dedication and commitment of all concerned."
In welcoming the recognition, he said it placed a great responsibility on the staff and students alike to continue consolidating and scaling up the excellence pathway.