Sunway University

Institution Overview

Background of Institution

Sunway University, originally Sunway College formed more than 30 years ago, is today part of the Sunway Education Group which is owned and governed by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation (JCF). The University is one of 15 institutions which includes Sunway College and Sunway International School.

Vision

To be a World Class University

Mission

To nurture all-round individuals and devote ourselves to the discovery, advancement, transmission and application of knowledge that meet the needs of our society and the global community

Sunway University is a hub of multicultural interaction, a platform for sharing, learning and networking. In its aim to deliver quality higher education, Sunway University works closely in partnership, collaborating with world-class partners Lancaster University and Le Cordon Bleu International. With the partnerships, Sunway University’s home-grown degrees in areas of business, accounting, banking and finance, financial mathematics and statistics economics and management, psychology, communication, computing and information systems, biological and medical sciences are validated by Lancaster University while its international hospitality management and culinary management degrees are accredited by the Le Cordon Bleu. The University also offers degrees in various other areas which include nursing, engineering, biomedicine, actuarial studies, contemporary music (audio technology), music performance, design communication, interior architecture, global supply chain management and international business.

Academic Strengths

The experienced, highly qualified and dedicated academics of Sunway University is led by an innovative International Vice-Chancellor, supported by a Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academics and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Higher Degrees. The heads of programmes and academic staff comprise of professors, associate professors, post-doctorate level lecturers and instructors with years of academic and industry experience in their fields of expertise.

The academic schools represent the top layer in the University’s overall academic structure representing the major subject areas in which the University operates. Each school consists of several departments and research centres with a narrower discipline focus or specific research focus. Some of the research centres are joint centres with other overseas universities. The academic programmes are taught by the academic staff within the departments including teaching fellows, lecturers and professors. More than half of the academic staff hold PhD degrees, one of the highest rates for private universities in the country. Each school is led by a dean who has overall responsibility for the management of the school. As a university with a strong international outlook, our deans are always appointed following an international search in order to find the very best candidates and currently more than half of the deans are from overseas.

Research is the life blood of any excellent university and Sunway University is passionate about the research activities. The research enables Sunway University to contribute to the economic and social development of the nation and ensures that the academic staff keep abreast of the latest developments in their fields and also use their research to inform their teaching. It is a pride the advances Sunway University staff are making in research across a broad range of fields such as developing gene therapies for cancer treatments, developing nanotechnology and new materials for energy efficiency, developing effective carbon capture techniques to combat global warming, or identifying ways to improve the health and well-being of the world’s ageing populations, to name just a few of the fields of our research endeavours. Here at Sunway University, it has a number of research collaborations with leading international universities including joint research centres.

Programme Outline

Sunway University offers diploma, undergraduate and post-graduate programmes within its seven schools:

• Sunway University Business School (SUBS)
• School of Arts (SOA)
• School of Hospitality and Service Management (SHSM)
• School of Medical and Life Sciences (SMLS)
• School of Mathematical Sciences (SMS)
• School of Engineering and Technology (SET)
• The School of Interdisciplinary Studies

The University also offers the American Degree Transfer Program which enables students to transfer to top 10% universities in the United States, for example John Hopkins, Cornell, Washington University in St Louise, and Michigan Ann Arbor. Sunway University also partners Harvard University, University of Oxford and University of Cambridge to promote a two-way flow of scholars and researchers. The University also partners the University of California, Berkeley to develop Sunway University’s entrepreneurship programmes, and to commence a bi-directional information exchange, in areas of Entrepreneurship and Technology, between the University and the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET) at Berkeley.

Lancaster is 132nd out of more than 1,000 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2022 and is ranked =122nd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022, up from 136th in 2021 making Lancaster 15th out of the 101 UK universities. Lancaster has won two major awards from The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. It was named the International University of the Year in the 2020 guide, and the University of the Year in the 2018 edition.

Academic Facilities & Resources

Sunway University is well equipped with first-class academic facilities. There are more than 120 classrooms and 15 lecture theatres which are fully air-conditioned and equipped with state-of-the-art teaching devices. The Main campus is fitted with 24-hour wireless internet (WiFi) access, making it easy to go online almost anywhere on campus. During school hours, computer labs allow students to work on their assignments and provide services such as printing, scanning and photocopying.

Specialised academic facilities are used for designated courses. Psychology, computing, nursing and ADTP programmes utilise their own respective laboratories which include simulated wards and skills laboratory for training (nursing), observation rooms (psychology), computing research labs (computing), biological science lab and science labs for practical work (ADTP). SHSM students have an entire floor dedicated to their programmes which include the training restaurant and delicatessen, mock-up hotel suite and travel bureau, and the pastry demo kitchen.

The newly created Sunway Graduate Centre building serves as an extension to Sunway University and Sunway College KL, providing lecture halls for classes to be conducted. The building also comes with multiple study spaces, providing additional spaces for productive discussions and enhancing students’ learning experience.

Encompassing three study areas with a total area of 657 square meters, the Observation Deck, Study Deck and Roof Top Terrace are well-equipped with tables, chairs and sofas which offers a conducive and comfortable learning environment. The terrace also comprises the Panoramic Suite and Student Hub which are often used to host special occasions and events.

The study areas include a breath-taking panoramic view overlooking Sunway Lagoon and Sunway Pyramid, providing plenty of natural light during the day and serves as the perfect spot for students who prefer open study spaces. There are also light refreshments available at the Observation Deck to help students relax whilst studying or having a discussion.

The Library facilities - Quick Facts

The Library constitutes 3 levels, with a total floor area of 72,000 sq ft and provides 1,300 seats. It offers a range of teaching and learning facilities, including individual and group study, Silent Zone, Group Project Pods, Training Rooms, computer clusters, Viewing Zone, Collaborative Zones, Instructional Lab and an extended hour study area which is open until 2.00AM every day.

The resource-rich library is equipped with print, audio-visual and e-resource collections. Users can access e-resources within the campus and remotely from anywhere in the world through their computers or mobile devices.

Facilities:

• Computer facilities: 115 wired PCs for assignments and surfing
• Instructional Lab
• Printing (4 printers)
• Wireless access in the Library
• Viewing Zone: to view VCDs and DVDs for coursework or leisure.
• Training Room 1 & 2(Both sound-proofed). *Both can be reserved for group viewing.
• Conference Room
• Collaborative Areas
• Group Project Pods
• CCTV to protect users and library collection.
• Self-checkout machines
• Book-drop for self-check-in/return
• Drink & Phone Area
• Extended Hour Study Area

Student Support Services & Student Development Activities

The Student Life Department of Sunway University is housed in the Student Centre and offers a wide range of professional and advisory services. It provides a supportive and friendly environment which includes the counselling unit, coordination of extra-curricular clubs and societies, alumni office and various conveniences like a sick bay and travel bureau.

PRePARE, the campus career centre, and the LEAP employability training programme are among the most active student development activities on campus. PRePARE, with its motto 'eQUIP, eNHANCE and eMPOWER', regularly holds workshops on CV-writing and prepare students for the working world through its extensive network. The LEAP programme helps students upgrade themselves through different activities like career talks, company visits, Job Shadow Day and soft-skills workshops.

The International Office (IO) looks after the welfare of foreign students, medical insurance claims assistance, and the application and renewal of student visas.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Sunway College and Sunway University offers various scholarships including:

Jeffrey Cheah Entrance Scholarship, Jeffrey Cheah Ace (The Advance and Continuing Excellence) Scholarship, Jeffrey Cheah Continuing Scholarship, Jeffrey Cheah Scholastic Award, Jeffrey Cheah Foundation – Sunway Group Scholarship, Jeffrey Cheah Foundation Community Scholarship, Jeffrey Cheah Foundation Scholarship, Sunway-Teach For Malaysia Scholarship, SEG-Elene Cooke Education Fund, The Star Education Fund, Sin Chew Education Fund, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali Scholarship For Creative Arts and Music, Sunway University Young Chef Scholarship, Sunway University Art and Design Scholarship, The Chancellors Scholarship of Sunway University & Lancaster University, Sunway University Postgraduate By Research Scholarship, Sunway University Taught Masters Scholarship, Sunway-Victoria University Excellence Scholarship, Sunway-ICAEW Global Accountant Scholarship Scheme, Sunway-ACCA Global Leader Scholarship, Sunway ECA Achievers and Sports Awards, Sunway Excellence Scholarship, Sunway Sports Scholarship, Sunway CIS-ECA Scholarship, SHSM Service Industry Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies and Sunway Music Scholarship.

Also available are financial aid like the Sunway University Community Bursary and Sibling & Parent Alumni Discount. Most students also qualify for the PTPTN study loan and EPF withdrawal.

Recognition & Achievements

Sunway University has long been recognised as a higher education institution that is synonymous to excellence. These are among the university's most recent achievements:

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

2014

• Awarded SETARA'13 Tier 5 (Excellent) rating

2015

• 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

2016

• Top in Asia for Employability and Overall Learning Experience according to Student Barometer survey wave 2015

2017

• SETARA (Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education) 2017, Sunway received a 5-Star (Excellent) rating in the Emerging University category. It is also an ISO 9001: 2015 certified institution, further amplifying the University’s commitment to quality on all levels in the higher education provision
• 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
• 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

2018

• Sunway University is placed 232nd in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings, placing it in the top 2% of universities in Asia
• 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

2019

• “Outstanding Educational Institutions for Private Universities or Colleges” award - Sin Chew Education Awards 2019
• Ranked #194 in QS World University Rankings 2020 edition: Asia
• 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
• 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

2020

• Entered the UI Green Metric Ranking for the first time (#473)
• Student number passes 8000 for the first time
• 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

2021

• Business and Management Studies subject ranked in top 450 in the world
• Sunway University ranked within the top 200 in the world for SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings
• The University steadily rises to #651-700 in the QS World University Rankings 2022

QS World University Ranking

Sunway University has received recognition placing it on a par with long established international institutions. The QS World university ranking and rating organisation, regarded as one of the most authoritative of its kind in the world, awarded Sunway University an overall 5 stars. The University is relatively young by global standards, but is already ranked within the top 2% of universities in the world (QS World University Rankings), and in the top 1.5% of universities in Asia, as well as being ranked within the top 150 universities in the world under 50 years old.

The QS Stars ratings focus on areas such as teaching and employability. Sunway University has been rated 5 Stars in these categories: employability, facilities, inclusiveness, social responsibility and teaching. In the QS Asia Rankings 2021, the University moved up to position 172 out of more than 13,000 higher education institutions in Asia.