Latest news with #BenSowter
The Star
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Six public universities in Hong Kong rise in global rankings
Six public universities in Hong Kong have risen in a global ranking, with the city's oldest jumping to 11th place and beating two prestigious mainland Chinese institutions. Britain-based education information firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) said the city's new 'Study in Hong Kong' brand should help it attract global talent and cement its reputation as a premier academic destination amid the government's funding cuts. The latest edition of QS' world rankings, released on Thursday, saw the University of Hong Kong (HKU) climb to 11th place, up from 17th last year and 26th in 2023. The result is the institution's best since the league table was launched in 2004. It was just one spot behind the California Institute of Technology in the United States. The mainland's Peking University maintained its 14th place, while Tsinghua University rose three spots to 17th. HKU also ranked second in Asia, after the National University of Singapore, which maintained its eighth position globally. QS said HKU was the local leader across four indicators, performing particularly well in academic reputation and graduate employability. Other universities in Hong Kong also climbed in the rankings, with the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) rising four spots to 32nd for its best placing since 2010. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) jumped three places from 47th to 44th, a performance mirrored by Polytechnic University (PolyU), which went from 57th to 54th. City University (CityU) was the only Hong Kong institution to fall in the rankings, slipping from 62nd to 63rd. The latest results mean Hong Kong still boasts five universities in the top 70 globally. Baptist University also jumped from 252nd to 244th, the biggest rise among its local peers. Lingnan University improved from the 711th to 720th range to the 701st to 710th range. The Education University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Metropolitan University joined the rankings for the first time, placing 530th and in the 781st to 790th range, respectively. QS said the ranking exercise was its largest to date, featuring more than 1,500 universities across 106 jurisdictions. The United States had the most universities in the league table, with 192, followed by the UK with 90 and the mainland with 72. QS senior vice-president Ben Sowter said Hong Kong had reinforced its position as a stand-out force in global higher education, making some of the most significant gains in the latest rankings and having more than half of its institutions in Asia's top 100. 'Its rise is driven by growing academic influence, world-class research and international engagement,' he said. 'Yet, financial pressures loom, prompting institutions to draw on reserves as public funding tightens.' But he added initiatives such as the 'Study in Hong Kong' brand should help lure global talent and ensure the city kept its reputation for 'academic and research excellence'. HKU president and vice-chancellor Xiang Zhang said: 'This historic achievement affirms HKU's emergence as a global elite institution and exemplifies the relentless pursuit of excellence by the entire University community. 'As a leader in higher education, HKU actively promotes Hong Kong as a premier hub for global talent to study, innovate and conduct research.' CUHK president Dennis Lo Yuk-ming said this year's results fully demonstrated the university's solid academic achievements and fruitful research results, as well as its leading position among world-class universities. A spokesman for HKUST said the rise of three places to 44th demonstrated its commitment to academic excellence and groundbreaking research. A spokesman for the PolyU said its result was the best so far and reflected that the university's academic and research excellence was internationally recognised, attesting to its influence and achievements in global higher education CityU's spokesman noted the university ranked first in Asia in the 'citations per faculty' indicator. A spokesman for Baptist University said it was delighted to be recognised as one of the top 250 universities in the world and viewed the ranking as an important demonstration of its ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and research standards. A spokesman for Hong Kong Metropolitan University said its debut in the rankings further cemented its status as the city's first self-financing tertiary institution. It was also the first local university of applied sciences to achieve such a recognition, he added. A spokesman for the Education Bureau on Wednesday said the achievement was encouraging. 'It is a recognition of the unremitting efforts and continuous pursuit of excellence by the team of tertiary institutions, and also confirms the government's long-term commitment to investing in education and enhancing the competitiveness of higher education institutions,' he said. In February, the government decided to slash the funding for public universities by HK$2.8 billion (US$356,690) in the coming three academic years, resulting in a 4 per cent average reduction rate. In an unprecedented move, the government also said it would claw back HK$4 billion from the reserves of the city's eight public universities. This year's world rankings were based on nine indicators: academic reputation; reputation among employers; academic staff to student ratio; citations per faculty; international faculty ratio; international student ratio; sustainability; employment figures; and international research network. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology retained the crown with first place globally for the 14th consecutive year. It was followed by Imperial College London, which held onto second place. In third was Stanford University, which climbed three positions. The University of Oxford and Harvard University both dropped one place to rank fourth and fifth. respectively. The University of Cambridge fell from fifth to sixth. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
Irish Independent
19-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Ireland's universities among most improved in the world as Trinity retains top place in country's rankings
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) retained its place as Ireland's top institution in the QS World University Rankings for 2026, improving its overall ranking from 87th last year to 75th. University College Dublin (UCD) was ranked 118th, up from 126th a year ago, followed by University College Cork (UCC), up to 246th from 273rd, and the University of Galway, which fell to 284th from 273rd. The University of Limerick, Dublin City University (DCU), the University of Maynooth and the Technological University of Dublin (TUD) made up the rest of the eight Irish universities included in the rankings. Seven of the eight improved on their ranking from a year ago, making Ireland the most-improved country in Europe and the second-most improved in the world, trailing Azerbaijan. This edition of the QS rankings also marks the first time every ranked Irish university has been included in the world's top 800. Further and Higher Education Minister James Lawless said third-level institutions 'play a vital role in delivering education and research' in Ireland. 'This work has been and continues to be pivotal to the success of our country as a knowledge-driven economy,' he said. Their achievements reflect the strength of our higher education system 'I congratulate the institutions that have improved their standing in this year's QS university rankings. 'Their achievements reflect the strength of our higher education system and reinforce Ireland's global reputation for academic excellence and cutting-edge research. 'This progress also reflects the significant investment this Government has made in higher education in recent years, supporting our ambition to build a world-class, innovative and inclusive system that delivers for all.' TCD ranked in the top 100 globally in three indicators: academic reputation, international faculty and graduate outcomes. UCD landed in the top 100 for graduate outcomes and in the top 50 for sustainability, where it was ranked 49th. After rising into the global top 250, UCC also improved in academic reputation, employer reputation and citations per faculty. The University of Oxford was in fourth place, down from third At the top of the rankings, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retained the number one spot it has held since 2012. In second place was Imperial College London, the same spot it earned last year. The University of Oxford was in fourth place, down from third, and Harvard University was in fifth, down from fourth. QS senior vice-president Ben Sowter said: 'Ireland's outstanding results in the 2026 QS World University Rankings are testament to the dedication of academics, administrators and students across the eight universities from the country included in the ranking. 'The Government has been clear in its ambitions to make Ireland a first-choice destination for international learners in its Global Citizens 2030 Talent and Innovation Strategy and, with every university improving in the international student indicator, the country's campuses are increasingly open and diverse.'
The Star
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
70% of Malaysian varsities rise in latest QS global rankings
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia achieved the world's highest rate of improvement - more than any other country with 10 or more ranked universities - with 70% of its 32 institutions climbing in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026. Of the 32 universities ranked, 19 rose, five remained stable in their ranks or bands, five featured for the first time, and three dropped. Leading the nation is Universiti Malaya (UM), which is the only Malaysian university in the top 100. It rose two positions to 58th globally and is ranked 16th in Asia. UM is also the country's top performer in five of the nine QS indicators, most notably in Academic Reputation, where it placed 58th, and Employer Reputation, where it ranked 40th. Coming in second is Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), which climbed 12 spots from 138th to 126th. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) are third in Malaysia, tied in 134th spot globally, climbing 14 and 12 spots, respectively. Rounding out the institutions in the top 200 is Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), which climbed 28 spots to place 153rd In the top 300, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) rose 18 places to secure 251st, making it the highest-ranking private institution in Malaysia, followed by Taylor's University at 253rd and UCSI University at 269th. Meanwhile, Sunway University and Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) broke into the global top 500, placing 410th and 491st, respectively. These institutions make up Malaysia's 10 top 500 universities, up from eight last year. SEGi University achieved Malaysia's highest rank in any individual indicator, placing 13th globally in International Students Ratio - the third-highest ranking in Asia. In a statement on Thursday (June 19), QS said Malaysia outperformed the global average in five indicators, most notably in International Student Ratio. "This indicator marked a significant strength for the country, with an exceptional six Malaysian universities among the top 50. "Malaysia also improved overall in five indicators, most prominently in Academic Reputation and International Research Network. It dropped overall in four indicators, with the sharpest drop seen in Employment Outcomes, marking a challenge for the country in this indicator, in which it also achieved its lowest average score. "No Malaysian universities placed among the top 100 in Sustainability, Employment Outcomes or International Research Network, reflecting areas for improvement for the country's universities," it said. QS senior vice president Ben Sowter said employability, sustainability strategy, and research are three pillars that are central to the rankings and sustained higher education excellence. 'As Malaysia competes with regional peers like Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam, investing in these areas will not only enhance its global reputation but also ensure its universities play a transformative role in shaping a skilled, future-ready workforce,' he said. Sowter added that as the country advances towards a high-income economy, its higher education institutions must equip graduates with both the technical skills and human competencies required to excel in the workforce and drive innovation. The QS World University Rankings 2026 featured more than 1,500 universities across 106 countries and territories, evaluated across nine indicators: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty Student Ratio, Citations per Faculty, International Faculty Ratio, International Students Ratio, International Research Network, Employment Outcomes, and Sustainability. The United States is the most represented higher education system, with 192 ranked universities, followed by the United Kingdom (90) and Mainland China (72). The Massachusetts Institute of Technology topped the rankings for the 14th consecutive year. Imperial College London stayed in second place while Stanford University climbed three positions to third. The University of Oxford and Harvard University each dropped one spot, placing fourth and fifth, respectively. Singapore is the only Asian country featured among the world's top 10, with the National University of Singapore ranked 8th globally. The full 22nd edition of the rankings, released today, can be found at
Irish Examiner
19-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Irish universities rank among global 800 for first time
Ireland's universities feature among the global top 800 for the first time in an 'outstanding' set of international league tables published on Thursday. With seven of the eight included universities improving their rankings this year, Ireland has been recognised by the QS World University Rankings as the country 'most improved' in Europe, and second most improved in the world, only behind Azerbaijan. Ireland's top-ranked university, Trinity College Dublin, remains within the top 100 globally, rising from 87 in 2025 to 75. University College Cork (UCC) has also, for the first time, ranked within the top 250 universities globally, leaping 27 places to its highest ranking in 10 years. In 2025, it was ranked at 273, compared to 246 in 2026. The university has put the jump of almost 50 places in under two years down to a collective effort from staff across the institution, as well as improvements across academic reputation, employment outcomes and in its research citation levels. UCC president Professor John O'Halloran said its position within the top 250 universities in the world was a key target in the university's strategic plan. "The ranking result reflects the dedication and hard work of all our staff and is one that our students, staff, and alumni all over the world can be proud of," he said. The QS World University Rankings 2026 ranks more than 1,500 institutions across 106 countries and territories, based on categories such as academic reputation, graduate outcomes, and research. QS senior vice president Ben Sowter said Ireland's "outstanding results" this year are "testament to the dedication of academics, administrators, and students across the eight universities from the country included in the ranking". UCC has for the first time ranked within the top 250 universities globally. Picture: Dan Linehan This year's set of rankings found Ireland outperformed many counterparts in Europe, ranking third on average for its employer reputation score, behind the Netherlands and Sweden. Every ranked Irish institution improved in the international students ratio indicator, which, according to QS, indicates Irish campuses are "increasingly benefiting from international networking opportunities, cultural exchanges and diverse learning experiences". While improvements in the academic reputation category were also noted, so too was the fact that all Irish universities fell or maintained their score from last year when it came to faculty for students. This makes student faculty, and the student experience, a key focus area for Irish higher education providers, QS said. "Universities have welcomed additional core funding in the government's budget for 2025 but noted that the €307m funding gap identified by government in 2022 will still not have been fully closed. "Universities need to continue to ensure students have access to necessary staff providing quality teaching." Trinity College Dublin provost Linda Doyle said: 'A sustainable funding model for higher education in Ireland is key to helping us to thrive. While increased core funding helps us to achieve our ambitions on the national and international stage, we need to see an absolute step-change in how universities and research are funded in Ireland.' Internationally, MIT retains its top position in the rankings for the 14th year in a row, followed by Imperial College London and Stanford University. Read More Over 250 children may have no school place, but minister refuses to confirm numbers
Korea Herald
18-06-2025
- Science
- Korea Herald
Asia rises, MIT holds Top spot as QS reveals 2026 World University Rankings
US and China gain ground, Italy and Saudi Arabia debut in top 100 #QSWUR LONDON, June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global higher education experts QS Quacquarelli Symonds have released the 22nd edition of the QS World University Rankings. MIT retains the global #1 position for the 14th consecutive year. Imperial College London holds second place, while Stanford University surges to third. Top 10 Universities (2026 / 2025) 1 / 1 MIT – US 2 / 2 Imperial College London – UK 3 / 6 Stanford University – US 4 / 3 University of Oxford – UK 5 / 4 Harvard University – US 6 / 5 University of Cambridge – UK 7 / 7 ETH Zurich – Switzerland 8 / 8 National University of Singapore – Singapore 9 / 9 UCL – UK 10 / 10 California Institute of Technology – US This edition features 1,500+ institutions across 106 locations. The US leads with 192 ranked universities, followed by the UK (90) and Mainland China (72). India (54) and Germany (48) round out the top five. Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice President, said: "We are witnessing a rebalancing of global academic influence. The Ranking highlights a shifting center of gravity in higher education—towards Asia, which now claims the highest number of ranked universities worldwide. While traditional powerhouses maintain strong positions, the data shows clear momentum in regions investing heavily in research capacity, internationalization, and long-term strategy. The QS World University Rankings illuminate not only institutional excellence, but also the evolving contours of global knowledge production. These shifts underscore an increasingly multipolar academic world—more competitive, more connected, and more ambitious than ever."
