For the first time ever, UUM is listed in the Top 100 QS World University Rankings Under 50 with a position at 81-90 compared to 101-150 in the previous year. This is indeed an encouraging accomplishment to UUM.
UUM’s Registrar, Mr.Baharudin Yaacob said, armed with Phase 1 Strategic Plan (2011-2015) and Phase 2 Strategic Plan (2016-2020), UUM has stepped into the international arena in style.
He added that a good ranking position has a positive impact on the university and it attracts foreign students to further their studies thus generating the university’s income.
“Rankings are very important for UUM in order for it to compete with other leading universities especially international universities, and ranking is a world-recognised platform as a reference for those who want to work together in various fields.
"This success is not only the achievement of QS WUR but we are also proud in terms of other ratings such as achievements in THE, Green Matric and various accreditations such as international awards AACSB, AMBA, Beta Gamma Sigma and others," he said.
He congratulated all the staff who have played their respective roles in the success of the university’s planning.
“The academic staff have a role in the aspects of TnL, research, publications, consulting, contributions and community services while administrative and professional staff play a role in assisting the management as well as providing technical services to the teaching staff to carry out their responsibilities.
"The executive staff, on the other hand, support all work processes of all parties according to their respective areas of work, as the saying goes, like the bamboo and the river bank, which complements each other in accomplishing every task," he said.
Currently, the university is also drafting the Phase 3 Strategic Plan which will start in 2021 to 2025 that covers various aspects such as research and publications, TnL programs, human capital development, student personality development and wealth creation.
"Every staff should consider this sacred institution as part of their lives that must be preserved, improved, enhanced image and credibility, so that the desire to make this university as the Eminent Management University can be realised," he added.
According to Ms. Eylani Ahmad, the university’s treasurer, this recognition means that the quality of UUM is recognised worldwide and has gained trust in terms of good academic personnel, conducive campus environment, complete infrastructure and the latest study curriculum.
“When there is a brand, people will look for us to work with and we have the opportunity to collaborate with leading universities and industries, and students with potentials will choose to study here.
"We will need to improve the infrastructure and learning facilities that involve costs therefore the ministry's financial support is needed however, in the long run this is a good opportunity in increasing the university’s income through international students and commercial routes.
"UUM is only 36 years old, we have 14 more years to be in this league and we can go higher with the right planning. Let us hope that the UUM campus community can work diligently, continue to contribute ideas and trigger innovations," she added.
Meanwhile, the Chief Librarian, Salleh Hudin Mustaffa opined that the focus should be on the generation of new knowledge in accordance with the needs and wants of the current industry.
“When many new knowledge discoveries occurred and shared through scholarly publications and public publications, UUM, lecturers and researchers will be consulted, the citation of publications will increase, and in turn will help to improve this ranking.
He hopes that more UUM staff will be referred and become industry consultants in the future, further encouraging prospective students and researchers to choose UUM as a destination to improve their knowledge and skills.