By Associate Professor Sr Ts. Dr. Md Azree Othuman Mydin
Dean, School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia

USM PENANG, 30 Jun 2026 – As global university rankings continue to shape public conversations on higher education, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has called for a more informed and balanced reading of what rankings represent.

The release of any university ranking often triggers familiar reactions. Some institutions celebrate improved positions, while others question changes in performance. Among the public, rankings are frequently reduced to a simple question of which university is “better”.

However, such comparisons can be misleading when the purpose, methodology and indicators behind each ranking are not properly understood.

The Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed said rankings should be treated as useful reference points, but not as the sole benchmark of university progress.

“We do not benchmark our progress against rankings alone. Our commitment is to grow inclusively across all dimensions of the university teaching, research, innovation, sustainability, talent development and service to society,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

Understanding What Rankings Measure

University rankings have become influential among parents, students, governments, employers and industries, shaping public perception and confidence in higher education.

Yet the more important question is not where a university stands in a league table, but what the ranking is actually designed to measure.

Different ranking systems assess different dimensions of university performance. Some emphasise academic reputation, employer perception, research influence and internationalisation, while others focus on teaching quality, industry engagement, sustainability, governance and social impact.

This explains why a university may perform differently across ranking platforms. Such differences are not necessarily contradictions; they reflect different ways of defining excellence.

Excellence Is No Longer One-Dimensional

A university known for research strength may not be ranked the same way in a system that prioritises sustainability or community engagement.

Similarly, an institution recognised for graduate employability, policy contribution or social innovation may be measured differently from one known mainly for academic prestige.

This is why rankings should not be read as absolute verdicts on institutional quality.

They are measurement tools. They offer useful signals, but they do not capture the full value of a university.

The growing importance of sustainability rankings also reflects a wider shift in global higher education.

Universities today are expected not only to produce graduates and research papers, but also to respond to complex challenges such as climate change, inequality, public health, urbanisation, food security, technological disruption and social well-being.

In this context, sustainability is no longer a secondary agenda. It has become part of what defines a responsible, relevant and future-ready university.

From Competition to Continuous Improvement

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have further widened how universities are evaluated.

Teaching, research, governance, campus operations, community engagement and strategic partnerships are now part of the broader conversation on institutional contribution.

This does not reduce the importance of academic excellence. Research quality, teaching standards, innovation, and international reputation remain vital.

However, they are no longer the only measures of a university’s value.

A more mature reading of rankings requires context. Asking which university is “best” is too simplistic. A better question is: best in what area, according to which indicators, and for what purpose?

No responsible doctor would assess a patient’s health based on one medical test. In the same way, no university should be judged solely by one league table. Each ranking offers one perspective, not a complete diagnosis.

The true value of rankings lies not in celebration or criticism, but in reflection. They should help universities identify strengths, recognise gaps and pursue continuous improvement.

The Real Measure of a University

As higher education evolves, the way universities are measured will continue to change. New priorities will emerge, new indicators will be introduced and new expectations will shape global competition.

However, the fundamental purpose of a university remains unchanged: to educate future generations, advance knowledge, strengthen communities, support national development and contribute meaningfully to humanity.

A university’s true worth is therefore not defined only by the number beside its name. It is defined by the knowledge it creates, the graduates it shapes, the communities it serves, the values it upholds and the long-term impact it leaves on society.