Research Universities are public universities recognized by the Cabinet on 11 October 2006 to become a leading research and educational hub.

University Malaya has always been a very well known research university and it is one of the top public universities in Malaysia

How are research universities recognised?

Recognition of a research university is based on eight selection criteria determined by the Assessment of Research Universities Committee. These criteria have been developed with a focus on aspects of R, D & C and based on also the criteria adopted by several leading international rating agencies. The marking criteria are as follows:

The quality of researcher, research and post graduate are the criteria of the Assessment of Research Universities Committee’s marking on universities

Which research universities are recognised?

It is hoped that the recognition given to these five universities will act as a stepping stone in efforts to formulate a strategy to enhance and strengthen the position of local Public Higher Education Institutions at the international level. 

Therefore, research universities have to strive harder towards improving its rankings amongst the leading universities of the world. This is also in line with the aim of the National Higher Education Strategic Plan to have at least three Higher Education Institutions listed within the top 100 universities and one among the top 50 universities in the world by 2020. And how have they fared so far, you may ask? 

Well here are their most current rankings from the QS and Times Higher Education (THE):

University	QS World University 2018 Ranking	QS 50 Under 50 Ranking	THE World University Rankings	Location
	114	-	59	Kuala Lumpur
	229	15	121-130	Serdang
	230	16	161-170	Bangi, Selangor
	253	21	121-130	Johor Bahru
	264	23	151-160	Penang

University Malaya has the highest rankings among the public universities according to the QS World University 2018 Ranking and the World University Rankings