Shaping the Future: AppliedHE ASEAN 2025 Rankings Revealed

Singapore/Bandar Sunway, November 18, 2024 – The eagerly awaited AppliedHE Public and Private University Rankings: ASEAN 2025 have been unveiled, and the results highlight the growing dominance of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia in the region’s higher education landscape.

This year’s rankings emphasise a dual focus on Teaching and Learning (40%) and Employability (15-20%), underscoring the relevance of academic quality and career readiness. In its second annual edition, AppliedHE’s unique ranking methodology has drawn attention for its hybrid model that incorporates university-submitted and publicly available data, providing a more inclusive and balanced evaluation framework.

Key Highlights:

• Malaysia Dominates Private Rankings: Sunway University, for the second consecutive year, has been crowned the #1 private university in ASEAN, solidifying Malaysia’s leadership in this category. Six Malaysian institutions secured spots in the top 10, showcasing their commitment to quality education and industry alignment.
• Singapore Reigns in Public Rankings: The National University of Singapore (NUS) took the top spot in the public university category, with its long-time competitor, Nanyang Technological University, following closely in second place.
• Indonesia’s Rising Star: Indonesia also displayed strong performances, particularly with Bina Nusantara University ranking second among private institutions and IPB University taking third place in the public category.
• Thailand and The Philippines Hold Ground: Thailand’s Krirk University and the Philippines’ Ateneo de Manila University both made notable appearances in the private rankings.

A Region in Transformation

The AppliedHE rankings shed light on a shifting center of gravity within ASEAN higher education. With a diverse mix of universities excelling across key metrics such as Research, Community Engagement, and Institutional Reputation, countries like Malaysia are capitalising on robust infrastructure and strategic investments to gain regional recognition.

“The focus on teaching excellence and employability resonates strongly with ASEAN’s aspirations for producing globally competitive graduates,” noted Mandy Mok, CEO of AppliedHE.

About the Rankings

AppliedHE’s ranking model is distinguished by its transparent and equitable approach. Public and private universities are assessed separately to reflect their distinct missions and funding structures. Participating institutions are evaluated across six major criteria, including Teaching and Learning Quality, Research, Internationalization, and Community Engagement.

The rankings also leverage innovative surveys such as the AppliedHE Student Survey, which captures real-time feedback from students on their academic experiences and career outcomes.

Looking Ahead

AppliedHE continues to position itself as a transformative force in higher education evaluation, offering tools that empower universities to communicate their strengths effectively to stakeholders. By focusing on metrics that truly matter, such as employability and teaching quality, the rankings provide valuable insights for students, parents, and policymakers alike.

To explore the complete rankings and learn more about AppliedHE’s methodologies, visit AppliedHE Rankings.

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Closing Note

As the higher education sector continues to evolve, AppliedHE remains a trusted ally for ASEAN universities, driving excellence and fostering meaningful connections between academia and industry. Stay tuned for upcoming initiatives and insights that promise to shape the future of education in the region.