By Norhayana Jusoh, Office of Transformation, Strategic Planning and Risk & Rozita Alias@Abdul Latiff, Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has made history by being listed for the first time among the world’s top 801–850 universities in the QS World University Rankings (QS WUR) 2026.

This proud achievement strengthens UMT’s position as a global leader in marine science and environmental sustainability and reflects the unwavering dedication and commitment of the entire UMT community to academic excellence and high-impact research.

UMT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim, described the accomplishment as the result of robust strategic planning and strong collaboration across the university ecosystem.

“This ranking is more than just numbers, but it is also a manifestation of UMT’s consistent growth in core areas such as marine science, environmental sustainability, and research,” he said. “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all lecturers, researchers, students, alumni, and staff for their invaluable contributions.”

Previously ranked in the 1001–1200 band for five consecutive years, UMT’s leap into the 801–850 tier marks a significant improvement, demonstrating that its UMT Strategic Plan 2023–2027 (PSUMT5) is beginning to yield results.

According to the QS WUR 2026 report, UMT performed exceptionally well in several key indicators. Notably, citations per faculty rose to 596th in the world, an improvement of 89 places from the previous ranking.

UMT also recorded a remarkable advancement in the Sustainability indicator, ranking 543rd globally, thanks to its ongoing green campus initiatives.

A significant increase was also seen in the International Students indicator, where UMT now ranks 588th, rising by 88 places. Today, international students at UMT represent more than 44 countries, further cementing its reputation as a preferred higher education destination in the region.

Professor Zamri said the success aligns with UMT’s theme, Ocean of Discovery, for Global Sustainability, and fully supports the Malaysia MADANI aspirations and the strategic direction of the Ministry of Higher Education.

“We are on the right track to becoming Malaysia’s premier marine-focused university and earning international recognition,” he said. “This is not the end, but a new beginning to further enhance teaching, research, internationalisation, and sustainability efforts in line with PSUMT5.”

The QS World University Rankings is one of the world’s most prestigious university ranking systems, evaluating thousands of institutions based on six key indicators: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty-Student Ratio, Research Citations, International Students, and International Faculty.

“This success proves that even as a medium-sized university, with clear focus and collective spirit, we can compete on the global stage,” he said. “We also extend our gratitude to industry partners, alumni, and the wider community for their unwavering support of UMT’s transformation efforts.”