Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) has reached a new milestone, achieving a record-high graduate marketability rate of 96.6 per cent last year — an increase from 95 per cent the previous year.

UUM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan said the achievement underscores the university’s consistent success in producing graduates who are competitive and highly sought after in today’s dynamic job market.

On the global front, UUM continues to make remarkable progress. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the university rose to the 491st position, marking a significant 63-place improvement from the previous year.

“Just five days ago, the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 once again highlighted UUM’s growing international presence when the university advanced to 65th in Asia, up 14 places compared to last year,” he said during his address at the 38th UUM Convocation Ceremony held in Sintok today.

The ceremony was graced by the Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, who also serves as UUM’s Tuanku Chancellor.

Prof Mohd Foad revealed that UUM’s alumni network has now grown to nearly 180,000 graduates, including 6,832 new graduates being honoured in this convocation. He also noted that 93 per cent of this year’s graduates had completed the Graduate Tracer Study System (SKPG) before collecting their academic robes on November 5.

Data from the study shows that 918 graduates (15 per cent) are currently earning over RM4,000 per month, while 13 graduates who took the stage during the ceremony are already earning more than RM10,000 monthly.

Adding a special highlight to the event, Sultan Sallehuddin conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Islamic Business Management upon Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar, 64, a distinguished corporate leader and contributor to Malaysia’s business landscape.