Sunway University claims top ASEAN private university spot and 6th in Asia in ALL ASIA Rankings 2026 reveal
SUNWAY University has once again demonstrated its academic excellence by emerging as the leading private university in ASEAN and securing the sixth position among private universities across Asia, according to the newly launched ALL ASIA Public & Private University Rankings 2026.
The prestigious recognition was announced during the AppliedHE Xchange 2025, hosted by Sunway University at its campus. The flagship event brought together higher education leaders, policymakers, and industry experts from across Asia and beyond to discuss the future of tertiary education under the theme “Together for Tomorrow: Excellence, Engagement, Evolution — Celebrating Leadership and Ranking Excellence.”
Comprehensive Evaluation Across Six Key Dimensions
The ALL ASIA Public & Private University Rankings 2026 represents a significant shift toward student-centric evaluation in Asian higher education. The ranking assessed 493 public and private institutions across six critical dimensions:
- Community Engagement
- Employability
- Student Satisfaction
- Research Excellence
- Internationalisation
- Peer Recognition
What sets this ranking apart is its methodology, which places student feedback and employability outcomes at the core of its evaluation framework, responding to growing demand for more meaningful assessment of higher education institutions in Asia.
Mission-Driven Excellence and Innovation
Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President and Vice Chancellor of Sunway University, emphasized the institution’s commitment to transformative education. “As a mission-driven 5th generation university, Sunway University is committed to empowering impactful research, building meaningful partnerships, and developing talent for the world,” he stated. “This event reflects our shared commitment and underscores the importance of institutions coming together to advance a better tomorrow for future generations.”
The achievement reinforces Sunway University’s position as a rising institution of impact and innovation in the regional higher education landscape.
Introducing Academic Road Trip: A Bold New Initiative
A significant highlight of AppliedHE Xchange 2025 was the introduction of the Academic Road Trip (ART), an innovative initiative designed to bring academics and students together through collaborative learning journeys. ART aims to foster deeper understanding, shared experiences, and cross-border academic enrichment, further strengthening the university’s commitment to experiential learning.
Engaging Programme of Keynotes and Workshops
The multi-day event featured an extensive programme of inspiring keynotes, expert panel discussions, and hands-on workshops. Leading voices in educational innovation, rankings, employability, and future-ready skills development shared insights and best practices with participants from across the region.
The presence of key leadership figures underscored the event’s significance. Professor Dato’ Elizabeth Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Education Group, Ms Mandy Mok, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AppliedHE, and Professor Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost of Sunway University, joined Professor Poppema in celebrating this milestone achievement.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Regional Excellence
The AppliedHE Xchange 2025 concluded with strengthened networks and renewed commitment to advancing excellence, engagement, and evolution in higher education across Asia. Sunway University’s consistent performance in regional rankings demonstrates its ongoing dedication to delivering world-class education that prepares students for global challenges and opportunities.
As Asia’s higher education landscape continues to evolve, institutions like Sunway University are leading the way in redefining what it means to be a truly impactful, student-centered university in the 21st century.
