Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) has reached a new milestone in its journey towards becoming a world-class institution, breaking into the Top 50 for the first time in the latest edition of the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings.
UTP is now the highest-ranked Malaysian university, securing the 43rd position, up from 52nd in the previous year. The university also retains its title as the number one university in Malaysia and private university in ASEAN.
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.
The rankings assess the world’s best research-intensive universities, evaluating performance 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.
As the university celebrates this milestone, it is also focused on the road ahead.
“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.
UTP’s forward-looking initiatives include the Bachelor of Integrated Engineering with Honours programme, which will commence in September this year. The trailblazing programme blends engineering, technology, and human-centred design to equip students with future-ready skills. It represents a new educational model that breaks down disciplinary silos while nurturing innovation and purpose-driven learning.
As UTP scales its global partnerships and invests in cutting-edge research, it remains focused on its long-term mission: shaping industries, transforming societies, and staying ahead of the curve.
