Malaysia Steadily Progressing Towards World-class Research Universities - Noorul Ainur

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is steadily progressing towards establishing world-class research universities for the nation, said Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur.

She said the initiative, which began in 2001 as stated in the Third Outline Perspective Plan and in line with the Malaysian Education Blueprint (2015-2025), would create engine of growth in the country.

"Research universities are always considered as leaders and catalysts for knowledge generation, wealth creation and societal well-being.

"Malaysia's journey towards world-class excellence did not begin from scratch. Higher Education ministry has adopted the most practical way to create world-class universities by scaling up a selective number of existing universities."

She said this in her keynote address at the 12th QS-Apple (Asia Pacific Professional Leaders in Education) Conference and Exhibition here today.

The event was graced by the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail. Also present was his consort, Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.

Noorul Ainur said Malaysia had taken a big step to advance the achievements of local public universities by introducing the status of Research Universities to five public universities, namely Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

"The universities will not only be developing the future workforce but also become centres for creation of intellectual capital and new knowledge," she said.

She also pointed out that all the five universities had successfully obtained six-star ratings in the Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA) audit for the year 2014-2015.

Right now, she said all the Malaysian research universities were strengthening their position in the latest World University Rankings and Asian University Rankings.

"University Malaya, the nation's oldest and prestigious university has climbed from top 300 universities in 2010 to top 200 universities in 2016.

"In fact, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia are positioned among top 300 in the latest rankings report in comparison to top 400 in 2010," she said.

The three-day conference and exhibition is jointly organised by QS-APPLE and Universiti Malaysia Perlis.

-- BERNAMA