THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
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Public universities in Malaysia are categorized as research universities, focused universities and comprehensive universities.  To date, 20 Public Higher Education Institutions (established under UUCA 1971) have been established, comprising four (4) research universities, four (4) comprehensive universities and twelve (12) focused universities.

Research universities focus on research activities and teaching based on research and development (R&D).

Research Universities:

  • University of Malaya (UM)
  • National University of Malaysia (UKM)
  • Putra University of Malaysia (UPM)
  • Science University of Malaysia (USM)

Comprehensive Universities offer courses in various fields of studies for all levels of education including pre-undergraduate, undergraduate, and post graduate degrees.

Comprehensive Universities:

  • MARA University of Technology (UiTM)
  • International Islamic University Malaysia (UIAM)
  • University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
  • University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

Focused Universities focus on specific fields such as technical, education, management and defence.

Focused Universities:

  • Northern University of Malaysia (UUM), Sultan Idris University of Education (UPSI), University of Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia (UTHM), University of Technical Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), University of Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Darul Iman Universitiy of Malaysia (UDM), Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM), University of Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), University of Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) and National Defence University of Malaysia  (UPNM).  
 

The responsibilities borne by the Apex University are indeed challenging.  It needs to be placed within the top 100 universities of the world within five years apart from being ranked in the top 50 universities in the world by the year 2020.  On 27th August 2008 the Cabinet unanimously agreed to select the Science University of Malaysia (USM) as the first Apex University of Malaysia. USM succeeded against three of its closest rivals, namely, University of Malaya (UM), Putra University of Malaysia (UPM) and National University of Malaysia (UKM) in a fierce competition to win this coveted position.

The criteria and evaluation used in the selection of USM as an Apex University were based on the readiness of USM to undergo transformation and academic achievement in the international arena.  It is hoped that USM will be able to break new grounds and motivate other universities in the country to continually strive to improve and achieve world-class status, and consequently, position Malaysia as a renowned hub of higher education in the world.