JOHOR BAHRU, 28 Sept – In a testament to its continuous commitment to excellence, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has achieved a significant milestone by climbing the ranks in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2024. UTM, one of Malaysia’s premier academic and research institutions, has moved from its previous position in the band 601-800 to 401-500. This remarkable ascent places UTM among the top 500 universities worldwide and 3rd in Malaysia as the institution continues to make its mark on the global stage.
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings are a comprehensive assessment that evaluates 1,904 universities across 108 countries and regions. With the introduction of a new WUR 3.0 methodology, Universities are rigorously assessed on various key performance indicators, teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook.
The exercise has undertaken an analysis of over 134 million citations from a pool of 16.5 million research publications. Additionally, they have gathered survey responses from 68,402 scholars worldwide, along with data submissions from more than 2,673 institutions, totalling 411,789 datapoints.
UTM’s commitment to scholarly excellence
UTM’s remarkable achievement in the 2024 rankings follows a series of accolades and successes in various prestigious league tables throughout the year. Notably, UTM secured a coveted position in the Top 200 league tables for the 2024 QS World University Rankings. Additionally, the university has received recognition as the #1 university globally for SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and an impressive #39 ranking for SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure in the 2023 THE Impact Rankings. These distinctions highlight UTM’s dedication to addressing global sustainability challenges and fostering innovative solutions.
Furthermore, UTM has established itself as a leader in producing highly skilled graduates who excel in the job market. This accomplishment is underscored by the university’s recognition in the 2022 Graduate Employability Report by the Ministry of Higher Education, affirming UTM’s commitment to equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their chosen fields.
Global advancement through innovation and excellence
In its pursuit of internationalization, UTM has actively engaged in initiatives such as establishing satellite labs, fostering staff and student mobility, and promoting research collaboration. These endeavours have further solidified UTM’s global presence and strengthened its reputation as a hub for academic excellence and nurturing students for tech-based student start-ups.
Over the past three years, UTM has consistently demonstrated excellence in research, as evidenced by its strong performance in the Malaysia Research Assessment Instrument (MyRA II). This continued dedication to advancing research contributes to UTM’s growing reputation as a centre of academic and intellectual excellence.
UTM’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Ir Ts Dr Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, is pleased with the announcement, stating that “UTM is immensely proud of its ascent in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. This achievement reflects our unwavering dedication to academic excellence, innovative solutions, and our commitment to addressing national and global challenges. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, students, and staff, who continue to push the boundaries of knowledge. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide a world-class education, foster cutting-edge research, and contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future. UTM is poised to continue its journey towards even greater heights in the global academic arena.”
UTM’s rise in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings underscores its unwavering commitment to providing world-class education, conducting cutting-edge research, and contributing to global sustainability goals by nurturing students for tech-based student start-ups and innovative solutions. As UTM continues to ascend in the global rankings, it reaffirms its position as a premier institution of higher learning for science, engineering, and technology, not only in Malaysia but also on the international stage.