Posted on nst.com.my 2011/07/31
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is now the country's highest ranked university, according to two online-ranking systems.
The two -- Webometrics (www.webometrics.info) and 4 International Colleges and Universities (www.4icu.org) -- determine university rankings based on the institute's material contents, references, visibility and scholarships through cyber-based activities.
UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang said high ranking universities' contents and scholarly works almost always acted as a reference point for others.
"In today's context, where information technology and communication is the preferred method of information gathering, referencing is mostly done via online portals," he said in a statement yesterday.
The positions determined by Webometrics were announced on July 30. Coming behind UTM are Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
UTM is in 419th position in the world ranking.
USM is 428th, UKM at 462nd, UM at 552nd, and UPM at 589th.
According to Webometrics, universities in the United States hogged the top 10 positions with Massachusetts Institute of Technology at the helm.
The list continued with Harvard University in second place, followed by Stanford University, Cornell University, University of California, Berkeley and others, all based in the US.
Australia-based www.4icu.org placed UTM at 280th place against other universities in the world.
Zaini said UTM's success in attaining the top-position in the country was the result of the university's team spirit and hard work.
"The university focuses on our 'high impact and differentiation strategy' to enable the organisation to function smoothly and competitively."
The list continued with Harvard University in second place, followed by Stanford University, Cornell University, University of California, Berkeley and others, all based in the US.
Australia-based www.4icu.org placed UTM at 280th place against other universities in the world.
Zaini said UTM's success in attaining the top-position in the country was the result of the university's team spirit and hard work.
"The university focuses on our 'high impact and differentiation strategy' to enable the organisation to function smoothly and competitively."
