Unimas jumps to 101-200 global rankings of world’s best universities

KOTA SAMARAHAN (Nov 3): Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) has risen to the 101-200 band in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, marking a significant improvement from its previous 301-400 band position, said its vice chancellor Professor Dr Ahmad Hatta Rasit.

He said Unimas ranked 16th globally for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals); 36th for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions); and was within the top 100 worldwide for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

“In line with our outstanding performance and unwavering commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), this achievement demonstrates that a university from Borneo can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s leading institutions, guided by the values of humanity, innovation and sustainability,” he said.

He said this during the first session of the university’s 29th Convocation Ceremony here today, which saw a total of 4,100 graduates, comprising 3,448 undergraduate and 652 postgraduate students, receive their scrolls.

He added that Unimas has launched the Low Carbon Campus Roadmap 2030, which aims to transform the university into a data-driven, community-led and future-focused green campus in line with Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

“Unimas has also become the first public university in Malaysia to publish an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, and to adopt a comprehensive ESG policy.”

Ahmad Hatta said that in the THE World University Rankings 2026, Unimas climbed to the 1001-1200 band, up from 1201-1500 the previous year.

“We also maintained our performance in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026 and QS Asian University Rankings 2025, where Unimas is placed 226th in Asia,” he said, adding Unimas remains the only Malaysian university shortlisted in three major categories of the THE Awards Asia 2024.

In terms of employability, he said the university’s Graduate Employability Rate for 2024 stood at 91.6 per cent, while its Graduate Marketability Rate was 91.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, he announced that Unimas will embark on a new chapter through its Strategic Plan 2026–2030 set to be launched early next year.

“This strategic document will serve as a key driver in propelling the university towards greater excellence through academic strength, research innovation and holistic student development,” he said.

Also present were Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who also serves as Unimas Chancellor; his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi; and Unimas Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie.