Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) continues to strengthen its international reputation as it has been recognized among the top 10 percent of universities in Asia through the QS Asia University Rankings (QS AUR) 2026, announced today. In the latest ranking, UMT secured the 160th position, rising from 195th last year, maintaining a consistent upward trend over the past several years.

UMT Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim, said that this achievement aligns with the internationalization strategy outlined in the UMT Strategic Plan 2023–2027 (PSUMT5), which emphasizes continuous development in the university’s niche areas, particularly marine science and aquatic resources.

“UMT’s position among the top 160 universities in Asia reflects the success of our strategic direction and reaffirms that the university is on the right path toward becoming Malaysia’s leading marine-focused university, respected globally,” said Prof. Mohd Zamri.

This improvement also reflects UMT’s excellent performance across several key ranking indicators, including internationalization and academic quality. In terms of internationalization, UMT achieved almost perfect scores in inbound student mobility (99.0) and outbound student mobility (96.9), placing the university among the most active in Asia for international student exchange programs. The score for the international student ratio also increased to 62.5 percent, showing UMT’s strong appeal as a preferred education destination for international students from various countries.

Academically and in research, UMT stands out with 89 percent of its lecturers holding a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualification, corresponding to a score of 95 in the PhD-qualified staff indicator. A score of 64.7 in publications per faculty member demonstrates a mature and productive research culture among academic staff. These accomplishments prove that UMT excels not only in marine and aquatic sciences but is also increasingly recognized as an institution contributing significantly to the advancement of knowledge in Asia.

“I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to all members of UMT, our alumni, and industry partners for their continuous support. Your strong commitment has been the cornerstone of UMT’s success as a leading marine-focused institution in Asia,” said the Vice-Chancellor.

This remarkable achievement is expected to further catalyze UMT’s efforts to expand its global impact, enhance opportunities for students and researchers, and strengthen the university’s position as an international center of excellence in marine science and aquatic resources.

Dikeluarkan oleh:

Pejabat Komunikasi Korporat

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

5 November 2025