KOTA SAMARAHAN, 23 January 2026 – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) has once again solidified its position as a leader in higher education excellence after being shortlisted in two major categories for the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Awards 2026. Often referred to as the “Oscars of Higher Education,” these awards recognize outstanding leadership and institutional performance across the continent.
Following a highly competitive selection process involving over 500 entries from across Asia, UNIMAS has been named a finalist in the following categories:
International Strategy of the Year: Recognizing the UNIMAS Global Mobility for Peace and Sustainability initiative. Spearheaded by UNIMAS Global, this strategy emphasizes international exchange programs that not only enhance academic learning but also promote global peace and sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Recognizing the Community-based Participatory Research for Sustainable Tourism in Kampung Peros. Led by the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts (FACA), this project utilizes a participatory approach to empower the local community in Bau, Sarawak, through creative heritage preservation and sustainable economic growth.
Driving Global Impact and Local Sustainability
The nomination for International Strategy of the Year highlights UNIMAS’s commitment to creating a “Global Campus” that fosters cross-cultural understanding. By integrating peace and sustainability into its mobility framework, the university has successfully attracted international students and partners, positioning Sarawak as a hub for socially responsible education.
Simultaneously, the Kampung Peros project serves as a model for how academic research can directly transform rural lives. Through Service Learning Malaysia (SULAM), FACA students and researchers collaborated with villagers to develop tourism infrastructure, mural arts, and digital marketing content, ensuring that the benefits of tourism remain within the community.
A Legacy of Excellence
This double nomination follows a trend of consistent high performance by UNIMAS on the international stage. In the THE Asia Awards 2024, the university achieved a remarkable “triple shortlist” across three categories, demonstrating its versatile strength in internationalization, research, and digital innovation.
Furthermore, UNIMAS has previously triumphed at these awards, notably winning the Excellence and Innovation in the Arts category in 2020 for the Semarak PertiwiKu project, which used performing arts to support anti-corruption efforts.
“Being shortlisted in two categories for 2026 is a testament to the dedication of our staff and students,” said Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit, the UNIMAS Vice Chancellor. “It reaffirms our mission to be a leading global university for a sustainable future, where our research and international collaborations bring tangible benefits to both the world and our local Sarawakian communities.”
The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony during the THE Asia Universities Summit in Hong Kong on 22 April 2026.