USM, UM among world's top for SDG impact
PETALING JAYA: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has emerged as Malaysia's highest-ranked institution in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2025.
It sits in joint 14th position with National Taiwan University in the overall ranking, up from 18th place last year.
Coming in second is Universiti Malaya (UM), at joint 25th position with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Sunway University are the other two Malaysian universities that made their way into the top 100 of the rankings. UKM climbed to joint 53rd while Sunway University ranks 81st, up from the 201–300 band.
Malaysia tops three of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with USM taking first place for SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), and joint first with UM for SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals).
In addition, UM leads the Asia region in sixth place for SDG 14 (life below water), and ranks joint seventh globally for SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and 12th for SDG 15 (life on land).
Other Malaysian universities also stood out in individual categories.
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) ranks 18th for SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), while Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) achieved 41st place for SDG 10 (reduced inequalities).
Additionally, UKM earned 26th position for SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production).
The seventh edition of the University Impact Rankings was released on Wednesday (June 18) by THE, publisher of the globally recognised THE World University Rankings.
The rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the UN SDGs across four broad areas - research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.
Universities are ranked across 18 tables: one overall ranking and 17 tables representing each individual SDG.
A record 2,526 universities ranked globally from 130 countries, with Asian universities claiming more than half of the rankings for the first time.
THE chief global affairs officer Phil Baty said: "Universities worldwide are stepping up to help the world take on its most pressing grand challenges, from the climate crisis to delivering economic growth to supporting peace and justice across the world.
"Asia is leading the way on the sustainability agenda.
"Asia's clear dominance of the rankings in terms of overall representation, and so many outstanding individual university performances including several world number-one positions for individual SDGs, shows that when it comes to universities' social and economic impact, the world will increasingly look to Asia."
For more information, visit https://www.timeshighereducation.com/impactrankings.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
42 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
DPM Fadillah to visit Uzbekistan, Russia to boost bilateral, energy cooperation
The visit from June 20-28, which marks Fadillah's first official engagement with both countries as deputy prime minister, includes meetings with high level government leaders. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (June 19): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof will visit Uzbekistan and Russia beginning this Friday to enhance bilateral economic relations, as well as explore tie-ups in the energy and high technology sectors. The visit from June 20-28, which marks his first official engagement with both countries as deputy prime minister, includes meetings with high level government leaders. There will be bilateral discussions with leaders from Uzbekistan and Russia, as well as site visits to strategic facilities, including energy infrastructure and innovation hubs. Fadillah's visit to Uzbekistan aims to build on the solid foundations laid during Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Malaysia earlier this year. In Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent, Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Mirziyoyev and hold a bilateral meeting with Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, as part of Malaysia's effort to enhance cooperation in the energy sector. According to the programme schedule released by the Ministry of Energy, Transition and Water Transformation (Petra), Fadillah will also deliver the keynote address at the Malaysia-Uzbekistan Business Forum 2025, a flagship platform to connect Malaysian and Uzbek businesses. Malaysia-Uzbekistan trade reached RM369.8 million (US$80.9 million) in 2024, positioning Uzbekistan as Malaysia's second largest trading partner in Central Asia. The trade balance is in Malaysia's favour at RM360.3 million (US$78.9 million), according to news reports. Major exports from Malaysia to Uzbekistan include palm oil, coffee, palm-based oleochemicals, margarine and shortening, processed food and coconut oil, while imports from Uzbekistan comprise mainly fertilisers, fruits and textiles. Last year, Uzbekistan remained Malaysia's second-largest trading partner among Central Asian countries. During his visit to Russia beginning June 24, he will hold a bilateral meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, and a key highlight of the visit will be the exchange of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) between MyPower Corp and Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. Fadillah is also scheduled to visit Rosatom's nuclear energy facilities in St Petersburg, as Malaysia continues to assess the potential of nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy transition plan towards net-zero emissions by 2050. The visit resonates with Malaysia's evolving energy diplomacy. Notably, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's state visit to Russia in May 2025 led to commitments from Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue joint ventures in natural gas and peaceful nuclear energy, including deepening Petronas's involvement in Russia. Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Russia were established in 1967. In 2024, Russia was Malaysia's ninth-largest trading partner among European countries, with total trade reaching RM11.46 billion (US$2.48 billion). Malaysia's key exports to Russia included electrical and electronics products, machinery, equipment and parts, and processed foods. – Bernama energy fadillah yusof Russia Uzbekistan
New Straits Times
44 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Hans Isaac: Finas to consider ending 'open door policy' for foreign films
KUALA LUMPUR: Following the disappointing box office performance of Blood Brothers: Bara Naga in Indonesia, despite it being Malaysia's highest-grossing film of 2025, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) is considering ending its 'open door policy' towards international films. Its chairman, Datuk Hans Isaac, 53, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of reciprocity in how Malaysian films are treated abroad, particularly in Indonesia. "I'm saying this not just as Finas chairman but also as a filmmaker. We open all doors for them to screen their films in Malaysia," he told reporters when met recently. "However, when we take our films abroad, although they grant us entry, the process, marketing, and structural hurdles are extremely challenging." "For example, in Indonesia, they complicate the situation, whereas here in Malaysia, we have always made it very easy," he added. Hans further said that if foreign countries make it difficult for Malaysian films to penetrate their markets, Malaysia should impose the same conditions on them. "If they offer five slots, we'll offer five. If they give ten, we'll give ten. It has to be on a first-come, first-served basis." "We can't reserve special slots for anyone. This is similar to the Mandatory Screening Scheme, which may also be considered for foreign films. However, implementing this will require processes, proposals, and a thorough review," he explained. To further promote local films on the global stage, Finas plans to launch a major initiative around September or October. "Finas will serve as a bridge between countries. We'll help film producers tap into larger markets, even beyond Indonesia," Hans added. "Let's just put it that way for now. If Blood Brothers failed in Indonesia in terms of earnings, I'll prove that their audience was wrong. Finas will take the film to bigger markets elsewhere. Discussions are already underway." It was previously reported that Blood Brothers, which grossed RM76 million at the box office in Malaysia, was screened in only 40 cinemas in Indonesia. Its director, Syafiq Yusof, also revealed that fewer than five Malaysian films were screened in Indonesia in 2024, whereas over 100 Indonesian films entered the Malaysian market with ease.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
DNeX secures RM103.76m contract for Malaysia's financial backbone, iGFMAS
CYBERJAYA: Dagang NeXchange Bhd (DNeX), through subsidiary Innovation Associates Consulting Sdn Bhd, has secured a contract from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to continue providing support for the Integrated Government Financial and Management System (iGFMAS), a key digital backbone of the country's public finance operations. Valued at RM103.76 million and spanning across 60 months, the contract covers the maintenance, support services, and application enhancement of iGFMAS, reaffirming DNeX's pivotal role in managing one of the country's most critical government financial systems. iGFMAS plays a central role in ensuring the efficient, secure, and transparent management of federal government finances. The system enables the preparation of the Federal Government Financial Statements based on modified cash and accrual accounting. According to DNeX's group CEO Faizal Sham Abu Mansor, the new contract underscores the group's full commitment to the government and the MoF's continued confidence in the group's technical expertise, proven delivery track record, and strategic role in national digital transformation. He said this will allow DNeX to build on its strong foundation and deepen its involvement in supporting the digital transformation of Malaysia's public sector. 'We are deeply honoured to continue our work on the iGFMAS, a system of national importance. This contract allows us to build on our existing foundation and further enhance the platform to meet the evolving financial governance needs of Malaysia. 'We are in complete alignment with the government's aspiration of having government services be agile in adapting to technology and digital means as a way to better serve the Malaysian public. 'This continued trust placed in us by the Ministry of Finance is a strong testament to our Group's commitment and capability,' he said in a statement. The latest award reinforces DNeX Group and DNeX IT's position as a trusted technology partner to the Malaysian government, with a track record of delivering mission-critical IT infrastructure and platforms. With a robust technical workforce of 400 professionals supported by 16 experts in emerging technologies focusing on Big Data Analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), DNeX IT is strategically positioned to leverage this momentum for global expansion. The group plans to expand its international footprint and venture into emerging technology spaces, including SAP S/4HANA, AI, Cybersecurity, and Mobile Application suites. Through the DNeX IT business segment, comprising Dagang Net Technologies Sdn Bhd, IAC, DNeX Solutions Sdn Bhd, and the joint venture unit Gamuda DNeX Cloud Sdn Bhd, DNeX Group offers an integrated suite of industry-leading solutions that support digitalisation across the public and private sectors. This new contract enhances income visibility while strengthening DNeX's position as a trusted provider of end-to-end digital solutions in support of Malaysia's long-term public sector digital transformation agenda.
