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Universiti Malaya (UM) achieved an extraordinary milestone in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2025, climbing 17 places from the previous year to secure an impressive global ranking of 115th.
This outstanding achievement is complemented by UM’s position as 1st in Malaysia and 9th in Asia in the same rankings, further solidifying its standing as a leader in sustainability. This achievement highlights UM’s unwavering dedication to advancing environmental and social sustainability through impactful education, pioneering research, and ethical governance.
Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman expressed pride in the university's recognition as a sustainability leader on both national and global stages. He highlighted that this achievement is a tribute to the collective commitment of the UM community. It underscores their shared determination to tackle key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and to foster meaningful change through education, research, and collaboration
“As Malaysia’s premier public research university, this achievement inspires us to strengthen our efforts to create a sustainable future for our nation and the global community. Together, we are building a legacy of resilience, innovation, and progress for generations to come. We will continue to advance new frontiers in bringing the needed positive changes to the world and civilisations through our sustained strategic efforts in charting new breakthroughs in strengthening research, academic and knowledge creation capacities in various fronts.
“UM’s commitment to sustainability is deeply embedded in its UM Master Plan 2050, which outlines an ambitious vision for transforming the campus. Central to this plan is a strong focus on decarbonization and green policies, alongside a dedication to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To support this mission, the university introduced the UM Sustainability Policy, serving as a guide to foster a culture of sustainability across the campus,” Professor Azuan said.
Professor Azuan added that this vision is brought to life through initiatives like the UM Action Research Living Labs, which drive environmental sustainability efforts. Looking ahead, UM is steadfast in its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions, aligning with the national goal of net-zero greenhouse gases by 2050.
In the Environmental Impact category, UM ranked 96th globally, demonstrating its commitment to environmental research, education, and sustainability initiatives. Similarly, its performance in the Social Impact category, where it ranked 136th worldwide, reflects UM’s strong efforts in promoting societal well-being, equality, and knowledge exchange.
UM’s exceptional global performance extends to individual lenses, where it ranked 46th for Environmental Sustainability, 72nd for Knowledge Exchange, and 113th for Employability and Outcomes. These rankings underscore UM’s ability to tackle global challenges with innovative and impactful solutions while striving to enhance its governance in alignment with international best practices.
UM’s success is driven by transformative initiatives such as the UM Sustainable Development Centre (UMSDC) who act as the champion in promoting sustainability across campus. Key programs like Water Warriors, the UM Zero Waste Campaign, and the UM Eco-Campus initiative bring together the university community, students and educators alike, shaping a coherent front in progressing sustainability actions across campus. Through strategic collaborations with local and international partners, UM has integrated sustainability into the foundation of its academic and operational ecosystem.
As Malaysia’s most prestigious university, UM remains resolute in its mission to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while amplifying its impact locally and globally. This consistent focus on sustainability reinforces UM’s leadership in addressing pressing global challenges and ensuring a resilient, equitable, and thriving future for all.
About Universiti Malaya (UM)
UM is the country’s first university. Following the passing of the University of Malaya Act in 1961 by Parliament, UM was recognised as a public university. UM, as it is known today, was officially made a public university in the Federation of Malaya on 1 January 1962.
UM is supported by two academies, fourteen faculties, two institutes and one academic centre that encompass medicine, science, technology, social sciences and humanities. The university also houses Malaysia’s first and biggest teaching hospital - UMMC. In addition, the Research Cluster had been formed to drive further breakthroughs in knowledge. The emphasis on research is strengthened by the presence of centres of excellence at several of its learning centres.
UM has made a significant achievement by securing a position among the top 60 universities globally in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS-WUR) for 2025. This accomplishment marks a 5-place improvement from the previous year and a notable 10-place climb since the 2023 rankings. This new ranking positions UM in the top 4% of the 1,503 institutions evaluated by QS globally.