Several Malaysian universities have proven their worth not just in academics, but also in real-world job readiness.
Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) have been named among the top public institutions most preferred by employers.
These universities are featured in the Employers’ Preferred University List 2025, a ranking released by Talentbank, Malaysia’s leading authority on graduate employability, reported Berita Harian.
Unlike traditional academic rankings, this list focuses solely on employability. It uses real hiring data from Malaysia’s top companies, including PETRONAS, Maybank, and CelcomDigi. The list identifies institutions whose graduates are actively sought after in today’s job market.
Backed by real employer insights
The ranking is powered by Talentbank’s National Graduate Employability Index (GE Index), which applies a three-tiered methodology:
- Identifying universities most preferred by employers.
- Tracking the number of graduates hired from each institution.
- Evaluating rehire rates based on graduate performance.
This data-driven approach highlights universities that are not only academically strong but also excel in producing graduates ready to meet industry demands.
The list was officially launched by Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, at EQ Kuala Lumpur. This reinforces the government’s push to align education with workforce needs.
Private universities that stood out
Among private institutions, Sunway University continues to lead the way. It has been ranked No. 1 in graduate employability for the fourth year running. Other top-ranking names include:
- Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)
- Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
- Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)
- International Medical University (IMU)
- Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)
These universities are recognised for producing highly skilled and adaptable graduates who are a match for various industries, from tech to healthcare.
For the full list of top universities for 2025, visit www.talentbankgroup.com.
