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NewStraitsTimes • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025 11
HIGHER EDUCATION

PROFESSOR DATUK SERI DR
NOOR AZUAN ABU OSMAN Establishing universities
KUALA LUMPUR
R ANKINGS have been an
push universities to meet the high- as the foundation of
inalienable part of the global
higher education landscape.
Done right, they can
Genuine academic excellence and civilisational progress
est global standards in education
and research, and provide an exter-
nal benchmark as a measure against
the world’s best.
high rankings often go hand in hand.
The world’s top-ranked institutions
— MIT, Oxford, Stanford, Harvard, Universities must pursue excellence UNIVERSITIES WITH PURPOSE In this noble mission, where do
among others — did not reach the top AND CONSCIENCE rankings fit? They enable and sup-
just by playing the “numbers game” while remaining grounded to purpose, At the end of the day, we must not evade port our journey by ensuring that our
but by a hard fought and sustained the core reasons why universities exist. work is internationally benchmarked
excellence in scholarship, teaching integrity, and service to humanity
Our ultimate purpose is not to top a
and of the highest quality.
and innovation. Rankings, in these chart, but to make a change to the lives The goal is, and has always been,
cases, are a byproduct of true qual- of the people. to create knowledge and graduates
ity and standard by merit. tion and societal impact. This must not The true measure of a university lies Great universities are defined by that make the world a better place.
Global rankings are not just a be a zero-sum affair. in the quality of its graduates, the impact their contributions and intent to solving If climbing the rankings comes as a
peripheral concern, they are at the The very definition of a “great uni- of these graduates and talents and their real-world problems. No ranking can result of doing that goal well, then we
core of the global positioning of the versity” is one that is able to do all these research on solving the world’s biggest fully capture a university’s conscience should welcome it.
world’s elite universities. while maintaining their quality, generate challenges, and the ultimate contribu- or humanistic core, and indeed, these We must remember that our true
Rankings and ratings are not new practical knowledge, educate the tions to the future of the world. should never be compromised for the rank is measured by the positive dif-
confined to academia alone. From next generation of leaders and serve Used properly, rankings keep us on sake of rank. ference we make for humanity and
business and corporations to sports, humanity. our toes and guard against complacency A university must excel academi- the world, and that alone, remains
they provide a yardstick for excellence These values drive what we are or apathy. cally and never lose sight of ethical the most noble of all.
and to hold ourselves accountable to embarking on here at Universiti Malaya. The pursuit of rankings must be principles, moral conscience and social
those high benchmarks. UM was placed 58th in the world in the spirit of self-improvement and responsibility. The writer is the vice chancellor
Some concerns are raised and in the QS rankings, and we view that benchmarking, not envy or rivalry. It As the Vice Chancellor of Universiti of Universiti Malaya and fellow of
rightly so, including manipulations achievement not as an end, but as also is a needed assessment tool to Malaya, I am proud to say that our insti- the Academy of Sciences Malaysia
and academic dishonesty in gaming evidence of our efforts to continuously ensure universities, especially publicly tution is embracing a renewed vision of
the system. improve. funded ones such as UM, to act as the being a “university with a purpose.” This
However, to use these as an argu- Rankings should come at the catalyst and guardian of accountability essentially means that we place human-
ment to abandon rankings altogether expense of core academic values. We and public service. ity’s needs and hopes now and in the 163
is far-fetched, as dishonesty in aca- can and must pursue high rankings in As such, our human capital must be future, at the forefront of our strategy
demia is not caused by rankings per parallel with our fundamental mission measured to the highest bar, and thus and mission.
se.The vast majority of scholars and to educate ethically and morally, and the need for Key Performance Indica- Whether it’s pioneering research
universities maintain their integrity advance knowledge responsibly. tors is paramount. Its design is not to in cancer cures, developing new
even as they strive for excellence. punish or to fulfil a utopian agenda, but technologies for cleaner energy,
A strict adherence to integrity UPHOLDING QUALITY WITH to simply ensure that we carry out our or producing policy research to
is the fundamental essence of any PURPOSE AND MORALITY mandate to the full. help resolve conflicts, we want
academic institution, and this goes in As educators and researchers, we must Thus, KPIs are not merely a tool for UM to be part of the solution
parallel with the pursuit of excellence never let the metrics alone drive us but the rankings, but as a constant quality to global challenges, while
through rankings. One should not be instead, let quality drive the metrics. adjudicator. Academicians have a duty upholding human dig-
at the expense of the other. When a university focuses on to the public to meet these standards nity, justice, and com-
Leading universities have shown improving teaching, research impact, for the good of humanity. passion through
that it is possible to excel in research and service to the world, its ranking will This aligns with the strategic aspira- education.
while providing world-class educa- naturally rise as a consequence. tions of the Higher Education Ministry
Conversely, ignoring quality or forgo- to empower a new era of mission-led,
ing values and fundamentals in pursuit purpose-driven higher education — one
of a good rating is a recipe for hollow where Malaysian talent is cultivated and
success and reputational risk, and a global standards are integrated to chart
success without a soul. a new dawn for the nation.