QuickCheck: Are scammers misusing a local university's letterhead?
SCAMMERS often find creative ways to exploit trusted institutions, and recent alerts point towards the misuse of Universiti Malaya's (UM) letterhead.
Such fraudulent tactics aim to deceive by imitating official documents.
Could this be another instance where scammers have targeted a reputable university?
Verdict:
TRUE
UM has emphasised that it has not issued the Purchase Order (PO) form as alleged.
According to the university, all procurement activities at UM are conducted exclusively online through its F1RST (Financial Information Support System).
Given this situation, they advised the public and all related parties to remain vigilant and verify any suspicious documents, emails, or communications related to UM's procurement or tender projects, as scammers may be misusing the university's letterhead for fraudulent purposes.
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New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- New Straits Times
UM reaches record high in global university rankings
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya secured 58th place in the QS World University Rankings 2026, its highest-ever position. This surpasses last year's 60th spot and marks an improvement in UM's pursuit of academic excellence. With an overall score of 80.1, UM ranks among the world's leading institutions, reflecting its growing international stature and strong performance in key indicators. UM scored highest in employer reputation (96.7), followed by international research network (92.9), academic reputation (92.3), student diversity (87.3), international students (86.8) and sustainability (84.7). These results highlight UM's strengths in reputation among employers and academics, as well as its success in attracting international students and fostering global research partnerships. UM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said the university's improved standing reflects its commitment to delivering meaningful impact locally and globally. "This achievement is not just about academia, research and intellectual growth. It also shows our dedication to driving change for the nation, the world, and humanity." He said the 2026 edition of the QS Rankings assessed more than 8,400 institutions worldwide, with only 1,501 being officially ranked. "UM has shown consistent improvement in key areas, including academic and employer reputation, international research collaborations, graduate employability, and sustainability." Noor Azuan added that UM leads Malaysia in five of the nine QS indicators. "This success is a source of national pride and would not have been possible without the dedication, sacrifice, and support of our university community, from academics and researchers to administrative and support staff, our students." He said strategic initiatives implemented over the past year — driven by forward-looking reforms — were beginning to bear fruit and would continue to shape the university's future. UM, he said, remains committed to this transformation journey and to raising the institution to greater heights. He also attributed the success to UM's restructured governance framework, which has been refined to support growth and excellence. "This achievement aligns with the prime minister's vision for a governance structure rooted in competitiveness, integrity, effectiveness, and justice. "A university's progress begins with strong, effective governance. The path to excellence lies in strategic synergy — empowering human capital, nurturing talent, and leveraging technological advancement." He said UM is also expanding its international reach while intensifying efforts to identify and attract global talent. "Our aim is to bring in the best minds and harness the world's top expertise to help us drive global change. "From offering postdoctoral programmes and research grants to strengthening strategic collaborations with leading institutions worldwide, we continue to move forward confidently among the world's best." At the same time, UM remains steadfast in its role as a leading national institution, ready to tackle challenges through world-class research and the development of holistic, future-ready graduates. Noor Azuan expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to this milestone, particularly Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir for his support, as well as the ministry and the government. "UM extends its deepest appreciation to our chancellor, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, for his wisdom, guidance, and support over the years," he said. Meanwhile, in the report released yesterday, QS senior vice-president Ben Sowter said Malaysia is emerging as a leading regional hub for higher education, offering internationally recognised qualifications, strong transnational partnerships, and a vibrant, international academic environment. "As the country advances towards a high-income economy, the role of its universities becomes increasingly critical. "To meet the demands of an AI-driven, rapidly evolving global ecosystem, Malaysia's higher education institutions must equip graduates with technical skills and human competencies required to excel in the workforce and drive innovation." He said that while Malaysia has made significant strides, there remains untapped potential in areas such as employability, sustainability strategy, and research, which are central pillars in the QS' rankings and sustained higher education excellence. Malaysia has seen one of the world's most remarkable performances in this year's edition, with 70 per cent of its universities climbing the table. This represents the highest proportion among countries with 10 or more ranked universities. UM places 16th in Asia. It is the national leader in five of QS' indicators, most prominently in academic reputation (58th) and employer reputation (40th).
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
70% of Malaysian varsities rise in latest QS global rankings
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia achieved the world's highest rate of improvement - more than any other country with 10 or more ranked universities - with 70% of its 32 institutions climbing in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026. Of the 32 universities ranked, 19 rose, five remained stable in their ranks or bands, five featured for the first time, and three dropped. Leading the nation is Universiti Malaya (UM), which is the only Malaysian university in the top 100. It rose two positions to 58th globally and is ranked 16th in Asia. UM is also the country's top performer in five of the nine QS indicators, most notably in Academic Reputation, where it placed 58th, and Employer Reputation, where it ranked 40th. Coming in second is Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), which climbed 12 spots from 138th to 126th. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) are third in Malaysia, tied in 134th spot globally, climbing 14 and 12 spots, respectively. Rounding out the institutions in the top 200 is Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), which climbed 28 spots to place 153rd In the top 300, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) rose 18 places to secure 251st, making it the highest-ranking private institution in Malaysia, followed by Taylor's University at 253rd and UCSI University at 269th. Meanwhile, Sunway University and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) broke into the global top 500, placing 410th and 491st, respectively. These institutions make up Malaysia's 10 top 500 universities, up from eight last year. SEGi University achieved Malaysia's highest rank in any individual indicator, placing 13th globally in International Students Ratio - the third-highest ranking in Asia. In a statement on Thursday (June 19), QS said Malaysia outperformed the global average in five indicators, most notably in International Student Ratio. "This indicator marked a significant strength for the country, with an exceptional six Malaysian universities among the top 50. "Malaysia also improved overall in five indicators, most prominently in Academic Reputation and International Research Network. It dropped overall in four indicators, with the sharpest drop seen in Employment Outcomes, marking a challenge for the country in this indicator, in which it also achieved its lowest average score. "No Malaysian universities placed among the top 100 in Sustainability, Employment Outcomes or International Research Network, reflecting areas for improvement for the country's universities," it said. QS senior vice president Ben Sowter said employability, sustainability strategy, and research are three pillars that are central to the rankings and sustained higher education excellence. 'As Malaysia competes with regional peers like Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam, investing in these areas will not only enhance its global reputation but also ensure its universities play a transformative role in shaping a skilled, future-ready workforce,' he said. Sowter added that as the country advances towards a high-income economy, its higher education institutions must equip graduates with both the technical skills and human competencies required to excel in the workforce and drive innovation. The QS World University Rankings 2026 featured more than 1,500 universities across 106 countries and territories, evaluated across nine indicators: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty Student Ratio, Citations per Faculty, International Faculty Ratio, International Students Ratio, International Research Network, Employment Outcomes, and Sustainability. The United States is the most represented higher education system, with 192 ranked universities, followed by the United Kingdom (90) and Mainland China (72). The Massachusetts Institute of Technology topped the rankings for the 14th consecutive year. Imperial College London stayed in second place while Stanford University climbed three positions to third. The University of Oxford and Harvard University each dropped one spot, placing fourth and fifth, respectively. Singapore is the only Asian country featured among the world's top 10, with the National University of Singapore ranked 8th globally. The full 22nd edition of the rankings, released today, can be found at
Barnama
a day ago
- Barnama
UM Tops World In Global Partnerships, Soars Into Top 25 In Sustainability Rankings
KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaya (UM) has soared into the top 25 of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, securing the 25th position globally for its performance in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university's standout achievement was clinching the No. 1 global ranking for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, with a score of 99.8 per cent, reflecting its strong international collaborations and strategic commitment to sustainable development. UM's active involvement in global networks such as the ASEAN University Network, Asian Universities Alliance and United Nations Academic Impact has further strengthened its influence across sectors and borders. UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said the recognition reaffirms the university's commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive future. "The success that we have achieved now is the derivation from our tireless collective efforts from the entire campus community in transforming the strategic sustainable and green plans into a practical reality, benefiting not only the immediate society, but where solutions churned out will benefit the future generations and the world as a whole,' he said in a statement. He said UM would continue to advance its sustainability goals through intellectual and research excellence, while embedding sustainability as a cultural value. "We will continue to progress towards achieving the new milestones of creating a brighter, resilient and sustainable future for future generations, with the advent of both intellectual and research advancement and the strategic embrace of a sustainable culture and concept," he added. UM also recorded strong performances in several other SDGs. It ranked 4th globally for SDG 1: No Poverty, in recognition of efforts such as financial aid, affordable housing, and festive season transport assistance for students. The university's community outreach programmes also support underprivileged groups in accessing basic needs, education and health services. For SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, UM was placed 7th globally, driven by its green campus initiatives and sustainability policies aligned with Malaysia's Higher Education Blueprint.
