IMus director, Professor Dr P'ng Tean Hwa

A 400-seater recital hall complete with recording facilities

Two concert grand pianos (Steinway-D and Fazioli F308) in the recital hall

Various practice rooms for drums, guitars, bass for students

UCSI University’s Institute of Music (IMus) has achieved another remarkable milestone as it is now ranked Top 50 in the world and the best music school in Malaysia in the performing arts category by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021. This achievement was right after the Institute was ranked Top 100 in the world for three years consecutively (2018, 2019 and 2020) in the same category.

Its director, Professor Dr P’ng Tean Hwa said that they are humbled and grateful to see how IMus has been recognised globally ever since its establishment.

“We are humbled and gratified to see that the good reputation which our Institute of Music has established over the years was recognised through this QS ranking exercise. This recognition will be our motivation to continue to be better,” he said.

Dr P’ng also stated that IMus has been consistently focused on raising the standards of its music education.

“I would like to take this recognition as a motivation to continue to improve our music education to a higher standard, as well as contribute to the richness of the cultural life of Malaysia. We will continue to do so by actively responding to current issues or scenarios in terms of our curriculum to stay relevant,” he said.

Noting that the realisation of the recognition was a collective effort with industry partners, Dr P’ng also extended his appreciation to his faculty members, students and the music education community that had helped in IMus’ endeavour thus far.

“I am thankful to those who have supported us through sponsorships, continuous feedback for improvement, as well as collaboration projects together with IMus. With our staff being active in conducting research and creative outputs related to music, I believe that we are moving in the right direction to achieve greater heights,” he added.

In addition to the staff, Dr P’ng indicated that the active participation of students of the Institute in competitions that were organised worldwide, was also one of the reasons that made IMus stand out from the rest.

“Our students have been actively participating in local and international competitions. Aside from that, our students are also motivated by goals to realise their true potential.

“More importantly is our students are able to secure good careers in the industry right after they graduate. This indeed is gratifying,” Dr P’ng remarked.

Dr P’ng hopes that the Institute will continue to work together with the industry partners to ensure that its graduates are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for the industry.

Moreover, Dr P’ng said that IMus has a clear vision and mission which is to be a leading music institute and to develop a strong music community that cares for each other, as well as driving the standards of the higher education system to greater heights.

“We have a clear vision and mission - to be a leading music institute and to bring back values in higher education. Therefore, the aim is to create a music community through collaborations with the industry partners that will reflect each other’s good values.

 “Over the past three decades, the Institute has been producing graduates for the industry. Not only in terms of career, but some of our students were also able to enter prestigious conservatories or top music schools globally with a full scholarship. Some of them are even full Professors working in renowned universities today.

“Seeing this achievement, I believe that we have achieved tremendously. Essentially, our mission is not only to be a true leader in presenting holistic music education in the region, but to also ensure that the cultural life in Malaysia is recognised globally,” he remarked.

When asked about the plans of the institute, Dr P’ng said that the Institute will focus on smaller goals before attempting to attain the larger ones

 “In future, what we are trying to do is to take one step at a time to ensure that we are doing things correctly, as well as living up to the public’s expectation. Only then, will we be able to achieve greater heights.

“Additionally, we aim to introduce more industry-relevant programmes, better facilities to develop our students’ potential, and conduct more community engagement activities to increase the quality and standard of our music education,” he said.

For more details, visit http://bit.ly/enquiry_music_3 or contact 03-9101 8882/011-3592 0893. The university will be hosting its eOpen Day and Open Day on April 10-11 and 17-18.