KUALA LUMPUR: UCSI University has broken into Asia’s top 30 in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 exercise.

Climbing 15 spots from last year, UCSI is now ranked eighth in Southeast Asia. The University has improved its continental rank for nine straight years.

Acknowledging the new milestone, UCSI president and vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir said that UCSI’s steady rise was the result of years of hard work.

“The rankings are most encouraging but we must never forget the foundations we put in place - the creation of a strong research culture, the promotion of transnational networks and close partnership with the industry,” she said.

“By focusing on the fundamentals, UCSI has climbed more than 320 spots in nine years. We are encouraged by this and we will do more, particularly in the fields of AI, machine learning, big data and automation.

“I would like to thank all UCSI students, alumni, staff and our industry partners for contributing to this achievement. We could not do it without them.”

She added that UCSI would maintain its focus in the areas of graduate outcomes, research, academic reputation and employer satisfaction.

The University would also work to impact society through sustainable initiatives via its two Regional Centres of Expertise that are recognised by the United Nations University.

UCSI has nurtured four Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia inductees and an increasing number of its alumni are launching their own social enterprises.

 The University has improved life chances for students from more than 120 nations. Famous alumni include Malaysia’s pop sensation Aina Abdul and acclaimed news anchor Cynthia Ng.

Two national Olympians, namely Khiew Hoe Yean - Malaysia’s top male swimmer, and Bertrand Rhodict Lises - the nation’s top male diver, currently study at UCSI.

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.