Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been commended for its decision to examine the reasons why it was dropped from the Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) World University Rankings 2005.

But while calling this a "more realistic approach" than that adopted by Universiti Malaya (UM), DAP leader Lim Kit Siang knocked USM vice-chancellor Prof Dzulkifli Abdul Razak's move to commission a London-based consultancy to conduct the investigation.

Lim said this is because the firm is actively involved in preparing the THES university ratings.

According to Bernama, the consultant will submit its findings at a meeting with USM administrators on Nov 21, and will explain in detail the criteria used by the newspapers to evaluate top universities.

USM was ranked 111th last year, but was dropped from the list this year.

'Act on billboards'

Lim said UM vice-chancellor Hashim Yaacob is in denial for insisting that the university has performed better than before, despite a significant drop in the rankings.

UM and USM were among Asia-Pacific's worst performing universities according to the list, having plunged the most since last year.

Lim also reminded the cabinet to make sure UM removes several large billboards that promote its achievements in the THES rankings.

He said cabinet involvement is required because the billboards feature photos of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his deputy Najib Abdul Razak and Higher Education Minister Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh.

He said this insinuates their support for the 80-point plunge in UM's ranking and would discredit the premier and his administration.