KUALA LUMPUR: UCSI University is now ranked 57th in Asia - and ninth in Southeast Asia - in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026.

This comes on the back of a meteoric 138-spot rise that saw the University improving its global rank to 334 from 472 last year.

UCSI also ranks first in Malaysia, first in Southeast Asia, seventh in Asia and 18th in the world in the area of environmental sustainability.

The latest development confirms UCSI’s position as Malaysia’s top private university in the sustainability rankings, placing fifth out of 32 Malaysian universities in the exercise.

“With pressing challenges spanning climate change, gender equality and fair practice, we can no longer downplay the importance of ESG initiatives,” said UCSI president and vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir.

“Our students and alumni launched social entrepreneurships, empower refugees, preserve the environment, community organise and advance ESG research.”

“I would like to thank all UCSI students and staff, as well as our partners from the industry, government and the wider community, for doing their part to address the hard realities and make a difference in society.”

UCSI has a long track record of ESG commitment. Four of its alumni are Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia inductees who stand out for their contributions in social entrepreneurship, the eradication of poverty and gender equality.

UCSI is also the only Malaysian university that operates two Regional Centres of Expertise in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching - Centres entrusted by the United Nations University to spearhead education for sustainable development at the local level.

The University is also classified in the world’s top 1% in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by virtue of its top 269 ranking.