Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) jumped to 43rd position in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings on April 30, 2025, marking its first entry into the Top 50. The Malaysian university climbed nine spots from 52nd place in the previous year while maintaining its status as the country’s highest-ranked institution.
UTP Breaks Into Top 50 Asia University Rankings for First Time
Key Details
UTP secured the 43rd position in the latest Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings, representing a significant leap from its 52nd ranking in the previous year. The university retains its title as the number one university in Malaysia and the top private university in ASEAN.
The rankings evaluate research-intensive universities across five key pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, knowledge transfer, and international outlook. UTP’s sharp rise reflects its growing impact in multidisciplinary research, industry partnerships, and academic excellence.
Quotes & Reactions
Vice Chancellor Professor Dato’ Ir Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib said the recognition reflects UTP’s continuous commitment to academic excellence, impactful research, and global collaboration.
“This achievement is a testament to the relentless drive of our staff, students, and partners to push boundaries in research, innovation, and education. We are immensely proud to represent Malaysia on the regional and global stage,” he said.
“Our next phase will focus on solving real-world challenges through deeper collaboration with global institutions, industries, and governments. We are investing in frontier research, transdisciplinary programmes, and digital-first learning experiences to ensure our graduates thrive in a world that’s changing faster than ever,” Mohamed Ibrahim added.
What’s Next
UTP plans to launch the Bachelor of Integrated Engineering with Honours programme in September this year. The programme blends engineering, technology, and human-centred design to equip students with future-ready skills, representing a new educational model that breaks down disciplinary silos while nurturing innovation and purpose-driven learning.
The university continues scaling its global partnerships and investing in cutting-edge research while focusing on its long-term mission of shaping industries and transforming societies. UTP’s strategy emphasizes international academic collaboration and industry engagement to maintain its competitive position in global university rankings.
