logo
UM tops world in global partnerships, soars into top 25 in sustainability rankings

UM tops world in global partnerships, soars into top 25 in sustainability rankings

The Sun18-06-2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya (UM) has soared into the top 25 of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, securing the 25th position globally for its performance in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The university's standout achievement was clinching the No. 1 global ranking for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, with a score of 99.8 per cent, reflecting its strong international collaborations and strategic commitment to sustainable development.
UM's active involvement in global networks such as the ASEAN University Network, Asian Universities Alliance and United Nations Academic Impact has further strengthened its influence across sectors and borders.
UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said the recognition reaffirms the university's commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive future.
'The success that we have achieved now is the derivation from our tireless collective efforts from the entire campus community in transforming the strategic sustainable and green plans into a practical reality, benefiting not only the immediate society, but where solutions churned out will benefit the future generations and the world as a whole,' he said in a statement.
He said UM would continue to advance its sustainability goals through intellectual and research excellence, while embedding sustainability as a cultural value.
'We will continue to progress towards achieving the new milestones of creating a brighter, resilient and sustainable future for future generations, with the advent of both intellectual and research advancement and the strategic embrace of a sustainable culture and concept,' he added.
UM also recorded strong performances in several other SDGs. It ranked 4th globally for SDG 1: No Poverty, in recognition of efforts such as financial aid, affordable housing, and festive season transport assistance for students. The university's community outreach programmes also support underprivileged groups in accessing basic needs, education and health services.
For SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, UM was placed 7th globally, driven by its green campus initiatives and sustainability policies aligned with Malaysia's Higher Education Blueprint.
The university also made significant progress in SDG 15: Life on Land, jumping into 12th place globally, reflecting major gains in biodiversity conservation and environmental education.
These achievements further underscore UM's role as a global leader in sustainability and its pledge to become a carbon-neutral campus by 2030.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fahmi Leads Malaysian Delegation To WSIS+20 In Geneva
Fahmi Leads Malaysian Delegation To WSIS+20 In Geneva

Barnama

time2 hours ago

  • Barnama

Fahmi Leads Malaysian Delegation To WSIS+20 In Geneva

From Mohd Khairi Idham Amran GENEVA (Switzerland), July 6 (Bernama) -- Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil will lead the Malaysian delegation to the World Summit on the Information Society+20 High-Level Event (WSIS+20), which will be held here from July 7 to 11. The Communications Ministry, in a statement today, said Malaysia's participation in WSIS+20 is part of the MADANI Government's ongoing efforts to strengthen an inclusive national communications technology ecosystem aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 'This participation brings various strategic benefits to the country, including global recognition of Malaysia's leadership in expanding rural internet access, communication technology inclusivity, and initiatives to empower ICT literacy among citizens in line with the well-being values of Malaysia MADANI,' the statement said. According to the statement, Malaysia is also using the WSIS platform to showcase key initiatives such as the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) and National Information Dissemination Centres (NADI), thereby strengthening its position as a regional leader in communication technology transformation. WSIS is a United Nations platform that brings together global leaders to leverage ICT for sustainable development, covering key components including the WSIS Action Lines – a framework comprising 11 ICT-related focus areas such as infrastructure, capacity building, cybersecurity and enabling environments. In addition, the WSIS Prizes recognise high-impact technological development projects, with 234 winners and 648 champions recognised since the awards were first introduced in 2012. During WSIS+20, Fahmi is also scheduled to hold more than 10 bilateral meetings with counterparts from countries such as the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Somalia, Greece, Russia, and Algeria, as well as a meeting with the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin. -- BERNAMA

Yingfa Ruineng Joins UN Global Compact, Aiming to Lead Photovoltaic Sector Through Sustainability
Yingfa Ruineng Joins UN Global Compact, Aiming to Lead Photovoltaic Sector Through Sustainability

Malaysian Reserve

time2 days ago

  • Malaysian Reserve

Yingfa Ruineng Joins UN Global Compact, Aiming to Lead Photovoltaic Sector Through Sustainability

YIBIN, China, July 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sichuan Yingfa Ruineng Technology Co., Ltd. ('Yingfa Ruineng') has recently announced its formal accession to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). This move underscores Yingfa Ruineng's firm commitment to sustainability, integrating it into the company's business strategy and driving innovation to accelerate the photovoltaic industry toward greater efficiency and lower carbon emissions. Fulfilling a Global Commitment and Advancing Sustainable Goals Established in 2000 by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the UN Global Compact is the world's most influential platform for corporate sustainability. It calls on businesses to align operations with ten principles covering human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and anti-corruption, while supporting the broader UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for 2030. Today, the initiative includes tens of thousands of companies and organizations across more than 160 countries. By joining the UNGC and pledging support for its principles, Yingfa Ruineng has demonstrated its strong commitment to making Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) values a core strategic priority. Looking ahead, the company plans to deepen its ESG efforts across all operational areas and contribute to the transition toward a more efficient and low-carbon PV supply chain. Driving Clean Energy Adoption Through Technology As a key player in China's photovoltaic industry chain, Yingfa Ruineng focuses on the R&D and mass production of high-efficiency solar cells. These solutions serve a broad range of applications, including utility-scale solar farms, and commercial, industrial and residential distributed PV systems. Drawing on leading-edge technologies such as PERC, TOPCon, and back-contact (BC) cell technology, alongside Czochralski monocrystalline silicon ingot technology, the company continues to improve conversion efficiency and lower the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). In response to global efforts around carbon neutrality, and in alignment with China's 'dual carbon' targets, Yingfa Ruineng is continuously advancing technological innovation and smart manufacturing to reduce energy consumption and emissions throughout its production process. Through its partnership with the UNGC, the company will further accelerate the optimization of its sustainable supply chain management practices and deepen its exploration of renewable energy applications. Executive Perspective: Sustainability Sets the Course Forward 'Joining the UNGC marks an important milestone in Yingfa Ruineng's path toward globalization,' said Yingfa Ruineng President Zhang Min. 'We recognize that long-term success lies not only in outstanding business performance, but also in the positive impact a company makes on the environment and society. Moving forward, we will continue to raise our internal standards and integrate sustainability into every facet of our operations.' Outlook: Powering a Net-Zero Energy Future As the global energy landscape undergoes rapid transformation, Yingfa Ruineng sees its participation in the UNGC as a new starting point. The company will further enhance its technological capabilities and ESG performance while collaborating with international partners to help accelerate the shift toward a greener, low-carbon, and sustainable energy future—one that aims to share the benefits of clean energy development with all.

‘Review entry mechanisms'
‘Review entry mechanisms'

The Star

time4 days ago

  • The Star

‘Review entry mechanisms'

PETALING JAYA: Outstanding students have had their applications to Universiti Malaya's critical courses rejected via the Unit Pusat Universiti (UPUOnline) centralised admission system, only to be given the same offer again under the direct entry system, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic). He said he has proof of such cases in which students who failed to get a place through UPUOnline were offered a place for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) under the Satu (open channel) route. Dr Wee cited a case of a student with excellent academic results who was denied admission under UPUOnline despite appeals but was later offered the same MBBS seat via Satu – provided he could pay RM300,000. 'This is something out of reach for B40 and M40 families. This is not an isolated incident. MCA has evidence of multiple cases. 'Such situations show how the system discriminates against students from B40 and M40 families who cannot afford such fees,' he said in a Facebook post. Dr Wee also said that it would be misleading to compare Satu to international models like UCAS in the United Kingdom or Australia's university system. 'Those systems offer financial aid and transparent data. Malaysia's Satu offers none of these protections. It's just pay – or be excluded. 'MCA never objected to having two admission pathways but we strongly oppose the structural discrimination that effectively excludes deserving students simply because they cannot pay RM300,000. 'That's not meritocracy but more of financial means which becomes the deciding factor,' he said. Dr Wee's criticism came following a statement on Friday by Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman dismissing MCA's concerns as 'misleading'. Dr Noor Azuan had said the dual channel approach was a strategic response for growing demand for limited placements in critical programmes such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. On the fee hikes for students under the Satu channel, Dr Noor Azuan had said the adjustments were necessary to reflect the actual cost of providing high-quality medical education, particularly clinical training, and the maintenance of teaching hospital facilities. Refuting Noor Azuan, Dr Wee said the explanation given was inadequate. 'The vice-chancellor's response completely sidesteps the key issue – how financial ability seems to override merit in the MBBS admissions under Satu.' Dr Wee reiterated MCA's call for the 2025/2026 MBBS intake through Satu to be suspended immediately and urged the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to conduct a thorough and transparent review of public university admission systems. In his statement, Noor Azuan said irrespective of the pathway taken, students seeking admission into UM's MBBS programme must pass a standardised selection test and an interview before they are offered a spot. He had explained that Satu provides a chance for students seeking placement in competitive courses like medicine, pharmacy and dentistry where thousands of top students are turned away due to limited places. Noor Azuan said the higher fees apply only to Satu students and do not affect government subsidies for UPUOnline students. 'The fee adjustment is based on identified costs and it reflects the actual expenditure to deliver the programme and sustain the university's core functions,' said Noor Azuan. The fee increase for Universiti Malaya's MBBS programme – from RM299,200 in 2024/2025 to RM500,000 in 2025/2026 – has sparked public outcry, with critics warning it will make medical education unattainable for most STPM and matriculation graduates unless they are well-off. The criteria for enrolment in degree programmes differs between the UPUOnline and Satu channels. For UPUOnline, applicants need a minimum CGPA of 3.00-3.80, with a higher threshold of 3.80 for competitive courses like MBBS. Accepted qualifications include STPM, matriculation, Asasi UM, or equivalents such as A-Levels with AAA grades or IB with 36 points. Additionally, candidates must meet specific subject requirements, such as an A- in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics/Mathematics for MBBS. In contrast, Satu maintains similar academic standards but offers flexibility for non-current year qualifications. For Malaysians applying to MBBS through Satu, a CGPA of 3.80 is required.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store