The Academic Reputation Survey conducted by a team led by the National Accreditations Board (LAN) saw no public university in the six-star “Outstanding” category. Universiti Sains Malaysia was the only one in the 5-star “Excellent” category. In the “Good” (4-star) category are Universiti Teknologi MARA and IIUM along with the older “pioneer” varsities (Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia). Ten other universities - including the fresh batch - fell into the “Average” (3-star) category. On November 9, 2007, the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES)-QS Report 2007 would be released. But what does all this mumbo-jumbo on ranking means to the current and prospective students?
I hate to use cliche, but wouldn’t you like to study in globally outstanding universities and institutions of higher learning like Oxbridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Duke University, St. Andrew’s University and Erasmus University? Wouldn’t you feel proud to study in or graduated from a local university equal to these top notch universities? How about those who aim for “high paying jobs”? Don’t you think studying in a globally recognized university would give you that competitive edge? In simple language, these reports and rankings are a university’s report card.
Why is the report important? To answer, we have to look at the 1990 Revolution - the Information Revolution which replaced the Industrial Revolution. Rules have changed. Now the game is about acquiring and understanding information and knowledge. Back in the Industrial Age, your loyalty was suffice but now age can be a liability.In a globalised world, universities now have to compete with those beyond national borders. Why? Universities may stay in the country but their graduates spread across the world. Graduates who carry the goodwill and reputation of the university. Graduates of tomorrow are marketable because of the quality of the graduates of the past.
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