Timeline of 40 Years

For over 4 decades, INTI has been at the forefront of higher education.

The pursuit of quality and excellence has always been the hallmark of INTI which is now has reached 40 years and counting.

In these 40 years, more than 95,000 students have passed through the doors of INTI in their quest for quality higher education and enhanced career prospects.

1986 – 1990

The Beginning

The word INTI is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘Essence’. It was chosen as the institution’s name to symbolize the philosophy of INTI, which is to develop the innermost part of a person, and therefore to bring out the best in a person.

1991 – 2001

Expansion & Building a Niche

INTI moved into its Subang Jaya campus and continued expanding. It established partnerships with University of Liverpool (UK), University of Hertfordshire (UK), Queensland University of Technology, (Australia), University of Otago (New Zealand), and more.

2002 – 2007

Widening Footprint

  • INTI College became the first tertiary institution to be awarded the Certificate of Appreciation for Achievement in Trade by the United States Department of Commerce.
  • INTI acquired Metropolitan College and PJ College of Art& Design in 2004.
  • In 2006, INTI College Malaysia was upgraded to University College status, and became known as INTI University College, the first private university college in Negeri Sembilan.
  • In the same year, it also developed a new 6-storey building on a 0.8 hector plot within Bukit Jambul education township in the Penang Island – accommodating 2000 students.

2008 – 2011

The Laureate Edge

  • INTI became a member of the Laureate International Universities network. This also coincided with a new 10-storey building in Subang Jaya as part of the redevelopment for INTI College Subang Jaya.
  • Hosted former US President, Bill Clinton, as the Honorary Chancellor of Laureate International Universities.

2011 – 2013

25th Anniversary & New City Campus

  • INTI celebrated its 25th year anniversary, and also launched the INTI’s School of Hospitality’s training restaurant in the Subang campus. The new Subang Jaya campus, saw a major relaunch which included the INTI Edge Festival.
  • In 2013, INTI officially launched its new city campus, the INTI International College Kuala Lumpur, the Investiture of Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Utama Arshad Ayub as the first chancellor of INTI International University, and the official launch of the first Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong (Australia) at INTI International College Kuala Lumpur.

2014 – 2015

More Highlights

  • INTI became the first tertiary education provider in Malaysia to host Mr. Tony Blair, former prime minister of UK.
  • INTI College Nilai, became INTI’s latest campus in Negeri Sembilan
  • INTI became one of the first private education institutions in Malaysia to collaborate with LinkedIn to boost graduate employability.

2016

30 Years of Education that Empowers

  • INTI celebrates 30 years of empowering young minds.
  • INTI hosts Mr. Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico.

2017

Hosted students and representatives of Beijing’s Tsinghua University, and again in 2019.

2020

Became part of HOPE Education Group

2023

  • INTI International University debuted in the QS World University Rankings 2024 at #556.
  • INTI International University ranked #222 in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2024 and was named #1 in Asia for Inbound Exchange Students.

2024

  • INTI International University climbed to #516 in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
  • INTI International University received the prestigious Rising Star Award 2025, the only Malaysian university and one of only six globally to be honoured.
  • INTI International University ranked #170 in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025, achieving Malaysia’s highest improvement that year.
  • INTI International University ranked #1301–1350 in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2025 for its overall sustainability performance.

2025

  • INTI International University ranked #509 in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
  • INTI International University inaugurated its new Chancellor, Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Dato’ Seri Utama Naquiyuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, Tunku Laxamana of Negeri Sembilan, along with Pro-Chancellors:
    • Emeritus Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohamad Zawawi Ismail
    • Dato’ Dr. Chua Hock Hoo
  • INTI International University received a Highly Commended recognition at the International Green Gown Awards 2025 for its commitment to ESG-driven education, campus operations, and community engagement.
  • INTI International University rose to #122 in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 and was recognised by QS as the only institution in Malaysia to receive awards for Outstanding Learning Experience and Performance Improvement.
  • INTI International University improved to #777 in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026, marking another year of progress.
  • INTI was awarded Malaysia’s Best Higher Education Group at the Private Education Excellence Awards 2025 by Koperasi Pendidikan Swasta Malaysia Berhad (EduCoop).
  • INTI International College Subang won the MQA Higher Education Provider (HEP) Excellence Award: Internal Quality Assurance (College Category) 2025.