17 best universities in Southeast Asia: Vietnam has one

(Dan Tri) - In the top 200 leading universities in Asia in 2025 published by the prestigious education magazine Times Higher Education (UK), there are 17 schools located in Southeast Asian countries.

The Times Higher Education rankings reflect the quality ofeducation and the ranking positions of top universities in many countries in the region.

This ranking is based on a strict set of criteria including the level of student engagement and learning and research activities at the school, the school's academic reputation, international exchange opportunities between the school and foreign educational institutions...

In the top 200 best universities in Asia this year, Southeast Asia has 17 schools, of which Vietnam has one: Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics .

Below is information about some universities located in Southeast Asian countries that are ranked high in the Times Higher Education rankings:

National University of Singapore campus (Photo: THE).

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a leading public research university in Singapore. It was formally established in 1980, through the merger of the University of Singapore and Nanyang University.

The school offers undergraduate and postgraduate training programs in many fields such as natural sciences , medicine, design, environment, engineering, business, information technology, law, arts, social sciences.

Among the faculty and researchers affiliated with the school are a Nobel laureate, a Tang Prize winner and a Vautrin Lud Prize winner.

Nanyang Technological University campus (Photo: THE).

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a renowned public research university in Singapore. Established in 1981, it is the oldest and leading university in the island nation.

Nanyang Technological University is organized into several schools and institutes, including: School of Engineering, School of Science, Nanyang Business School, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Graduate School, National Institute of Education and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

It also has prestigious research centers such as the Earth Observatory of Singapore and the Singapore Environmental Life Sciences Engineering Center.

The main campus of the university covers an area of ​​200 hectares, which is also the largest university campus in Singapore. In addition, the university has two other campuses located in two of Singapore's medical and startup hubs, Novena and One-north. As of 2024, the university has more than 37,000 students and a team of nearly 8,000 lecturers and staff.

Petronas University of Technology campus (Photo: THE).

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) is a private research university in Malaysia, established in 1997. The university is owned by the Malaysian national oil and gas corporation - Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS).

The university’s 400-hectare campus is located in the Seri Iskandar Township, Perak, Malaysia. The university conducts research activities in collaboration with PETRONAS, focusing on six areas: sustainable development, transport infrastructure, health care research, oil and gas exploration and production, pollution treatment and automatic control systems.

University of Malaya campus (Photo: THE).

Universiti Malaya (UM) is a public research university located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is the oldest higher education institution in Malaysia with a history dating back to 1905.

Currently, University of Malaya has more than 2,300 lecturers, organized into 14 faculties, 2 academies, 3 research institutes and 2 academic centers. The school has trained many politicians, businessmen and influential figures in Malaysia.

Malaysia University of Technology campus (Photo: THE).

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is a public university that is oriented to be a leader in technological research in Malaysia. The main language of instruction at the university is English. The university has strengths in research in science, technology and engineering.

The school offers a variety of training programs, from architecture, accounting, engineering to cultural and religious studies... The school has about 2,600 lecturers, more than 18,000 students, including nearly 2,500 international students.

The school's history dates back to 1904. The school currently has two campuses: one in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and one in Johor Bahru. The Johor Bahru campus has 10 dormitories for students.

The school has a modern sports facility system, including a stadium with a capacity of nearly 40,000 seats, an Olympic-standard swimming pool, a kayaking and horse riding center.

National University of Malaysia campus (Photo: THE).

The National University of Malaysia (UKM), established in 1970, has been one of the four key research universities in Malaysia since 2006, due to its outstanding achievements in scientific research. The National University of Malaysia has campuses in Bangi, Cheras and Kuala Lumpur.

The university's Tun Seri Lanang Library is one of the largest university libraries in Malaysia, with over 2 million volumes of books, journals, e-books and e-magazines.

The university's research areas of focus include energy, earth sciences and biotechnology. Many of its research projects have contributed to the development of industries in Malaysia.

Chulalongkorn University campus (Photo: THE).

Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand, founded in 1917. Chulalongkorn University is a public research university located in Bangkok, Thailand. Throughout its history, the university has maintained its role as a leading academic and professional training center in Thailand.

With a mission closely linked to community service, Chulalongkorn University not only focuses on developing knowledge and research skills, but also promotes the preservation of Thai arts, culture and traditional values.

The university currently has 20 faculties, 23 affiliated schools and research institutes, and more than 8,100 lecturers. The total number of students studying is more than 37,000, including more than 26,000 undergraduates and more than 10,000 postgraduates.

As Thailand’s leading university, Chulalongkorn University aims to be a role model in education, social innovation and sustainable development. The university focuses on three main directions: educating future leaders, promoting research and innovation with practical impact, and promoting sustainable social development.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics campus (Photo: THE).

Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics (UEH) was established in 1976. The school currently has 3 member schools including the School of Business, School of Economics, Law and Public Administration, and School of Technology and Design.

As one of the key national universities in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics offers a diverse system of undergraduate and postgraduate training programs, covering many fields.

The school has an intensive research environment and a wide network of academic cooperation with nearly 100 partner universities worldwide. This contributes to enhancing the school's international position.

The school is student-centered and promotes liberal education for the comprehensive development of students. Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics is increasingly affirming its position as one of the leading research-oriented universities in Southeast Asia.

According to Times Higher Education/School Websites

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/17-truong-dai-hoc-tot-nhat-dong-nam-a-viet-nam-co-mot-truong-20250502181847635.htm