A Brief History of the University

As one of the entities within the Sunway Education Group, Sunway University has rapidly grown into a leading brand name in Malaysia’s higher education sector, gaining a name for itself as a high-quality private not-for-profit institution. Here are some of the milestones along our journey since our initial foundation in 2004.

2022

• Sunway University awarded number one in Graduate Employability among all universities in Malaysia by Talentbank Group
• Sunway University is the No. 1 non-government linked university (GLU) private university in Malaysia and ranked as one of Malaysia’s Top 10 universities at the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023
• The University has also managed to rank two broad subject categories: Business & Management at #301 – 400; and Physical Sciences at #601 – 800 for the same Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023
• Sunway University moves up into the band #601-650 in the QS World University Rankings in the 2023 edition
• Sunway University ranked top 400 in the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2022 edition
• In the individual SDG category ranking, the University ranked in the top 200 in the following SDGs:
  • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals
• Hospitality and Leisure Management subject ranked in top 150 in the world
• Business and Management Studies subject ranked in top 500 in the world. (06 Apr 2022)

2021

• Business and Management Studies subject ranked in top 450 in the world
• Sunway University appoints President Sibrandes Poppema
• Sunway University ranked within the top 200 in the world for SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
• The University steadily rises to #651-700 in the QS World University Rankings 2022
• The University emerged as a 5 Star rated (Excellent) institution for the second time in QS Stars Audit
• The University also received 5 Stars Specialist Criteria for Bachelor of Science (Honours) Actuarial Studies as well as 5 Stars for other categories: Employability, Academic Development, Internationalization, Facilities, Social Responsibility, and Inclusiveness
• Sunway University has risen from position #473 in 2020 to #280 in 2021 as the World's Most Sustainable University

2020

• Entered the UI Green Metric Ranking for the first time (#473)
• Student number passes 8000 for the first time
• Construction starts on the next campus building - a lakeside futuristic building providing new homes for the Business School and the School of Arts as well as a hub for community arts in Sunway City to feature a large concert hall and theatre
• Ranked #172 in QS World University Rankings 2021 edition for Asia region
• The University rises to 701-750 in the QS World University Rankings 2021
• Received a QS Subject Ranking for the first time in Business and Management Studies (#451-500)
• Awarded SETARA Tier 5 in the Emerging Universities category

2019

• Ranked #194 in QS World University Rankings 2020 edition: Asia
• Sunway University's Premier Digital Tech University status extended to 2021
• Sunway University enters the QS World Rankings 2020 for the first time and achieves a ranking within the range of 751–780
• Sunway University is ranked within the top 150 young universities in the world (under 50 years old) for the first time by QS
• Two international collaborative research centres launched (The Future Cities Research Institute with Lancaster University, UK, and The Joint Research Centre on IT with Huizhou University, China)
• Malaysian team won the World Pastry Cup 2019 led by Sunway University team
• Sunway University awarded honorary doctorate to Tan Sri Dr Teh Hong Piow
• Awarded Sin Chew Education Gold Award

2018

• Sunway University is placed 232nd in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings, placing it in the top 2% of universities in Asia
• Launch of Sunway University Press, the academic publishing arm of Sunway University
• Launch of iLABS Makerspace at Sunway University
• Sunway University becomes the first non-governmental linked private university to attain a 5 Star QS Rating
• Two Sunway University Professors named top 1% most highly cited researchers in the world in 2018
• Accounting and Finance subject rated 4 stars in QS Stars rating system
• Achieved Five stars overall rating in QS Stars University rating with five stars rating in individual categories of Teaching, Employability, Facilities, Inclusiveness and Social Responsibility
• Awarded PUTRA Brand Gold award for Education
• Malaysian team won the Asian Pastry Cup 2018 led by Sunway University team
• Top in Asia for campus buildings design and quality according to Student Barometer survey entry wave 2017

2017

• Sunway University gained its first international ranking in the QS Asia University Rankings, placing it in the top 2.5% of universities in Asia
• Sunway University became one of only eight universities in Malaysia to be awarded the status of Premier Digital Technology University
• Attained ISO 9001:2015 certification
• Awarded SETARA 5-star rating in the “Emerging University” category
• Awarded 1st Superbrand in education in Asia
• Top in Malaysia for Overall Learning Experience, Quality Lecturers, and Employability according to Student Barometer survey wave 2016
• Partnership with Lancaster University extended for further ten years
• The total number of enrolled students surpassed 7,000

2016

• Launch of the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development at Sunway University
• Inaugural Cambridge-Oxford-Sunway Biomedical Symposium held at Sunway University
• Top in Asia for Employability and Overall Learning Experience according to Student Barometer survey wave 2015

2015

• Official opening of Sunway University’s new 12-storey campus building
• Sunway University achieved its first international rating as an overall 4-star university with top 5-star ratings for teaching, facilities and employability by the QS ranking and rating agency
• Top in Asia for Employability according to Student Barometer survey entry wave 2014
• The total number of enrolled students surpassed 5,000

2014

• Establishment of the Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia at Sunway University
• Awarded SETARA'13 Tier 5 (Excellent) rating

2011

• Sunway University College officially upgraded to full university status by the Ministry of Education of Malaysia and renamed as Sunway University
• The total number of enrolled students surpassed 2,500

2010

• Launch of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, a charitable not-for-profit body taking ownership of institutions under the Sunway Education Group including Sunway University College
• Sunway University College established partnership with Le Cordon Bleu International, which grants professional certification to graduates from the former’s hospitality programme

2009

• Sunway University College received a 5-star “excellent” rating in the first official rating system for Malaysian universities and university colleges known as SETARA; the University continues to receive 5-star ratings in all subsequent SETARA exercises

2008

• First cohort of graduates with dual degrees from both Sunway University College and Lancaster University

2006

• Sunway University College established partnership with Lancaster University, UK, through which graduates can receive dual degrees from both institutions

2004

• The establishment of Sunway University College as an independent degree-awarding institution of the Sunway Education Group