MQA’s D-SETARA Rating: Best Engineering Universities in Malaysia

Which are the best engineering Universities in Malaysia? The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) released the results of the Discipline-Based Rating System (D-SETARA).

What is D-SETARA?

D-SETARA only assesses the quality of learning and teaching in a specific field of study

The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), responsible for quality assurance of higher education for both public and private sectors, has released the results of its latest Discipline-based Rating System or D-SETARA. The new rating system is different from SETARA. The former categorises universities as a whole using a tier system based on the Malaysian Qualifications Framework whereas D-SETARA assesses the quality of teaching and learning of a certain field of study only.

Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL)

This university aims to produce students of high moral values for Vision 2020 - Image via IUKL

Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) aims to produce graduates that possess outstanding technological, communication and managerial skills. Established in 1998, this higher learning institution also aims to imbue high moral values on its students in preparing them for Vision 2020.

Curtin University, Sarawak

Curtin Sarawak is located in Miri and it is Curtin’s largest international campus outside Western Australia

Curtin Sarawak is the largest international campus of Western Australia’s Curtin University and was the first foreign university campus to be set up in East Malaysia. Located in Miri, Sarawak, it offers students an international and cross-cultural learning environment in a unique Malaysian setting. It boasts a 1000-acre purpose-built garden campus with stylish architecture and state-of-the-art facilities. Additionally the university has IT linkages to allow students access to the Curtin resources at the main campus in Perth.

Monash University

Monash University’s prestigious position has attracted many international students

The first foreign university to open a branch in Malaysia, Monash has been providing high quality education to local students since 1998. September 2007 saw the opening of a new campus with state-of-the-art facilities, a medical school and new laboratories befitting their reputation as a top notch research university. Its prestige and position as a premier university, both from a research and academic angle has manage to draw in a large number of international students as part of its nearly 5,000 strong student body.

Multimedia University (MMU)

MMU’s vision is to produce high quality students through research and development in the ICT industry – Image via GDP Architect

Multimedia University (MMU) is Malaysia’s first private university set up through Universiti Telekom Sdn. Bhd. (UTSB) vision of educating the next generation of leaders.  MMU pioneered the private institution industry in Malaysia, serving as a model for the successful establishment of other private universities in the country. With its vision of producing graduates of high calibre in cutting edge technology through research and development, MMU claims to be a catalyst for propelling the nation’s ICT industry.

Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP)

This university is located not far from the border of Thailand and it was first established as Kolej Universiti Kejuruteraan Utara Malaysia (KUKUM) – Image via UNIMAP

Universiti Malaysia Perlis is located at the northern region of Malaysia, about 35 km from the Thailand border in the town of Arau, Perlis. Established in 2001 as Kolej Universiti Kejuruteraan Utara Malaysia (KUKUM), the aim of the university was to produce a new breed of engineers to respond to technical requisites needed in the Malaysia’s Industrial Master Plan.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

UPM started off by focusing on agriculture and it is located in Serdang – Image via Azman Atan

University Putra Malaysia is a public research university located at Serdang, close to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Formerly known as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, UPM started off as a university specialising in the agriculture sector. Besides the main campus at Serdang, UPM has a branch campus located at Bintulu, Sarawak.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

USM has expanded  and offered programmes to both local and international students

Universiti Sains Malaysia is the second public university established in Malaysia in 1969 and was first known as Universiti Pulau Pinang. Started from an enrolment of 57 science based students, USM has grown and expanded, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to 20,000 students locally and internationally.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

UTM has collaborative research programmes with other international universities

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is Malaysia’s oldest engineering and technological public university. UTM is known for producing most of Malaysia’s workforce in engineering and technological sector and is actively involved with joint research programmes with other international universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, MIT, Imperial College, Stanford Research Institute, Kyoto and Tokyo.

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

The University Teknologi Mara System is the largest higher education system in Malaysia – Image via MyMARS

Universiti Teknologi Mara is the flagship institution of Universiti Teknologi Mara System, the largest system of higher education in Malaysia which consists of four satellite campuses, 12 branch campuses, nine city campuses and 21 affiliated colleges that educates over 170,000 students.

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

UTP is built under PETRONAS and it was formed in 1997

Built under the aegis of Malaysia’s oil and gas giant, PETRONAS, UTP was created to educate the future members of this high-flying, technical industry. Formed in 1997, the university is built on a beautifully landscaped 1000 acre site in a new township. Boasting top-of-the line laboratory facilities, a beautiful multi-story library and new housing and faculty infrastructure, the university forms an aesthetically pleasing yet constantly developing environment for students.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)

UTAR’s concept revolves evolution and innovation to face challenges and market demands

With several campuses across the country and nearly 20,000 students, UTAR embraces the concept of evolving and innovating to face new challenges and fulfil market demands. Built based on holistic principles, UTAR emerged from its beginnings as a college and morphed into one of the better known private universities in Malaysia.

Swinburne University Technology

The Swinburne Sarawak campus has more than 3,000 students and it is located in Kuching

The international branch campus of Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia, the Sarawak Campus is located in Kuching, the capital city of the Malaysian state Sarawak. Opened in 2000, it is a partnership between the university and the Sarawak government. The custom-designed campus has a student population of more than 3,000 who come from countries in South-East Asia and the Middle East.

University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

The University of Nottingham is UK’s Top-10 universities and students are able to receive a degree that is identical from the UK.

The first international campus of the top-10 UK universities, Nottingham Malaysia provides students with the same excellent education background as the mother campus. A degree awarded from the Malaysia campus is identical to one from UK, allowing local and regional students the convenience and economy of a world-class education. With its fairly new campus, the recreational and research facilities are modern and well-equipped.

UCSI University

UCSI has upgraded to University College in 2003 and University in 2008 and it originated as a computer based training centre

UCSI originated as the Canada Institute of Computer Studies, a computer-based training centre in SS2, Petaling Jaya. In 1989, it changed its name to Sedaya College when it was given College status, and subsequently, Sedaya International College to reflect its growing international focus. It was upgraded to University College in 2003 and University in 2008, and thus changed its name to UCSI University.

Other Engineering Institutions

• University of Malaya 
• University Selangor 
• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
• Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)
• University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) 
• Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
• Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM)
• Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)
• Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHO) 

Other related features: 

• Malaysia’s best Health Science Universities according to the Discipline-Based Rating System (D-SETARA)
• Malaysia’s best Hospitality & Tourism Universities according to the Discipline-Based Rating System (D-SETARA)