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PRESS RELEASE

FIVE MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITIES RANK TOP 50 IN ASIA AS MALAYSIAN INSTITUTIONS RECORD THEIR BEST EVER PERFORMANCE IN THE LATEST QS UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2018: ASIA

The QS University Rankings 2018: Asia, released today, sees Malaysian universities record their best ever performance with five Malaysian universities ranking top 50 in Asia. Recording a continuous rise in the ranking, the University of Malaya (UM) is now placed 24^th. (previously 27^th) with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) at 36^th. (up 13 places from 49^th). Entering Asia's top 50 are Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) at 43^rd (up 12 places from 55^th), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) at 46^th (up 5 places from 51) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) at 48^th (up 14 places from 63^rd).

According to QS, this has been a "highly successful year for Malaysian institutions with 18 of 27 institutions improving their rank". A total of 22 Malaysian universities, both public and private, rank within Asia's top 300. Notably, Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), a private institution, is ranked 101st (up 26 spots from 127^th) and is on the verge of a place in Asia's top 100.

As Malaysia accelerates towards becoming a higher education hub in line with Shift 8: Global Prominence as stated in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education), this ranking is indicative of the progress we have made over the years in ensuring that our institutions are able to deliver quality education across the board. We believe the ranking serves as a useful reference point for prospective students in choosing Malaysia as a preferred education destination.

On behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education, I would like to convey a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to all the institutions for improving and making it into this year's ranking. This achievement is the result of the hard work, commitment, and dedication of members of the institutions — from the lecturers to the researchers and the lab assistants to the administrative staff. I would like to say THANK YOU for contributing.

The Ministry is always supportive of your endeavours to make Malaysian higher education great and believes in the synergy that exist among higher education institutions which help foster a dynamic and innovative ecosystem. Stay focused, always strive to improve and as we say at the Ministry of Higher Education, may we keep Soaring Upwards.

YB DATO' SERI IDRIS JUSOH
Minister of Higher Education
17 October 2017