It’s not rankings that we should avoid, but the pitfalls associated with them. Concerns, if any, about rankings should be directed at governance and leadership decisions within universities, Universiti Putra Malaysia vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ismi Arif Ismail opines. He stressed the need to strengthen integrity-based data governance to ensure that all submitted information accurately reflects actual performance. Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman echoed the view that rankings should serve accountability rather than prestige alone, particularly for publicly funded institutions. “In a climate of tightening resources, rising risks and increasing public scrutiny, universities must demonstrate that they remain worthy of continued investment.

Source: The Star January 11, 2026 08:24 UTC