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Malaysian Universities: The Big Fish In ASEAN’s Small Pond, Still Swimming Behind Singapore’s Sharks
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Malaysian Universities: The Big Fish In ASEAN’s Small Pond, Still Swimming Behind Singapore’s Sharks

While Universiti Malaya leads Malaysia’s charge with impressive gains in specific subjects, the 22.5-point gap between UM and NUS tells a sobering tale of educational disparity.

by
April 10, 2025

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Malaysian universities are dominating the ASEAN rankings landscape – if you ignore Singapore’s overwhelming lead.

The 2025 QS World University Rankings tell a tale of two realities: Malaysia’s impressive regional presence and sobering global position compared to its tiny neighbour.

Let’s break it down: While Malaysia is flexing with five universities in Southeast Asia’s top 10 – more than any other country in the region – the gap between these institutions and Singapore’s dynamic duo is nothing short of a reality check.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is at 93.7 points, with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) following at 88.4.

The Academic Chasm: From 93.7 to 48.5

Then comes the stark drop: Malaysia’s highest-ranked university, Universiti Malaya (UM), trails significantly at 71.2 points—a 22.5-point gap from the leader.

The contrast becomes even more pronounced with Malaysia’s other entries.

UKM (53.8), USM (52.7), UPM (52.3), and UTM (48.5) are all bunched together in the 50-point range – nearly half of NUS’s score.

It’s like watching a race where Singapore’s universities drive Formula 1 cars while everyone else is in family sedans.

From Local Hero to Global Challenger: UM’s Mixed Report Card

This regional success-global gap story is perhaps best illustrated by UM’s journey.

While it’s celebrating doubling its number of top-50 subjects since 2021 (now including Library Management, AI, Education, and English Literature), its overall global position still lags significantly behind its Singaporean counterparts.

The university’s highest-ranked faculty areas tell the story: Engineering & Technology (79th globally), Social Sciences & Management (71st), and Arts & Humanities (98th) – respectable positions but nowhere near Singapore’s consistent top-20 showings.

The rankings paint a picture of Malaysian higher education as a strong regional player still struggling to break into the global elite tier Singapore has comfortably occupied for years.

For Malaysian students and policymakers, these rankings are both a pat on the back and a wake-up call.

It’s like being the top SPM scorer in your district only to find yourself struggling to keep up at Singapore’s top JCs (Junior Colleges).

Mind the Gaps: From ASEAN Rankings to Flag Mix-ups

While Malaysia can proudly claim regional leadership (after Singapore), the considerable gap between global education powerhouses suggests a long way to go.

The question remains: Can Malaysian universities close this gap, or will they remain big fish in ASEAN’s pond while Singapore’s universities swim in the global ocean?

Speaking of gaps, somebody might want to help Seastats close their own – they’re showing UTM with an American flag in their latest ranking graphics.

Hey Seastats, Malaysia’s Jalur Gemilang has stripes, too, but they’re a bit different from the Stars and Stripes!

READ MORE: Universiti Malaya’s Rocky Start To 2025: From National Anthem Drama To Campus Controversies

READ MORE: [Watch] Meet The Universiti Malaya Graduate Who Found His Wings As Delivery Rider

READ MORE: Universiti Malaya’s KK Mart Branch Splashed With Red Paint

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