Latest news with #QuacquarelliSymonds
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Stop chasing global benchmarks
MALAYSIA achieved the world's highest improvement rate in the recent Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026: 70% of our 32 institutions climbed global standings, with Universiti Malaya reaching 58th and Sunway University jumping 129 positions to 410th globally. Yet Malaysian families still spend RM6.1bil annually sending 75,000 students overseas – equivalent to our top five universities' combined operating costs. Malaysia's best minds build foreign economies while outsourcing their children's education – it's a self-sabotaging cycle fuelled by rankings obsession. This 'gilded cage' of global validation has backfired: local tuition now exceeds Australian/Canadian household affordability, burying our graduates under 1.33 years' salary debt (outpacing Singapore's 1.10 and Britain's 1.18). We've surpassed the very systems we emulate in financial burden, yet still question our own excellence.
Observer
4 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Global report highlights advanced higher education capabilities
MUSCAT: British institution Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) unveiled on Monday in Muscat the contents of its new global report, 'Advanced Capabilities of Higher Education in the Sultanate of Oman', highlighting Oman's growing role as an international hub for higher education. The launch was held under the auspices of Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Chairman of Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit. The report underscored the significant growth in Oman's research output, which increased by 36.9 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023. Dr Maryam al Nabhani, Director-General of Private Universities and Colleges, stated that Oman Vision 2040 has placed education, learning, research and national competencies at the heart of national priorities, forming the foundation for building a competitive and sustainable knowledge-based economy. She added that the vision has set an ambitious goal of having four Omani universities ranked among the top 500 globally in the QS rankings by 2040. Notably, Oman achieved positive results in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, with five Omani universities included, compared to only two in the 2025 rankings — reflecting the sector's rapid progress. Dr Al Nabhani explained that three private universities made their debut in the global rankings, namely Nizwa University (ranked 770-761), Dhofar University (ranked 900-851) and the German University of Technology in Oman 'GUtech' (ranked 1200-1001). Additionally, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) made remarkable progress, climbing to 334th place globally, up from 362nd in 2025. Meanwhile, Sohar University achieved a qualitative leap, advancing to the 1000-951 bracket after being ranked 1200-1001 the previous year. She attributed these positive outcomes to a strategic national approach, starting with enhancing education quality, supporting research, improving innovation ecosystems and establishing institutional infrastructure that meets international evaluation standards — including QS criteria such as academic reputation, research quality, employability, international collaboration and the ratio of international students. The QS report serves as a strategic reference document, promoting Oman's higher education institutions globally, supporting efforts to develop higher education and reinforcing Oman's position as a leading regional and global hub for education and research in line with Oman Vision 2040. Dr Moosa bin Abdullah al Kindi, Dean of the Modern College of Business and Science, stated that the release of the QS Higher Education Report on Oman marks a pivotal milestone in documenting and advancing higher education. He noted that the college's participation in this initiative aligns with its mission to actively contribute to national development through academic excellence, research and innovation. He added that Oman's continued progress towards achieving Oman Vision 2040's goals makes such partnerships a vital tool for enhancing the global presence of its higher education sector. This event reflects the nation's commitment to improving education quality and achieving institutional excellence at regional and international levels. - ONA
Muscat Daily
5 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
3 more Omani universities listed in QS world rankings
Muscat – Oman has improved its standing as a regional and global centre for higher education with the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) report showing significant gains in research output and international rankings. Launched in Muscat on Monday under the patronage of Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Head of Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, the QS report – titled 'The Advanced Potential of Higher Education in the Sultanate of Oman' – noted a 36.9% rise in research output in 2024 compared to 2023. Dr Mariam al Nabhani, Director General of Private Universities and Colleges, said education and research continue to be central to Oman Vision 2040. She highlighted the fact that the number of Omani universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026 has increased from two last year to five this year. 'This reflects rapid development of the sector,' Mariam said, adding that Vision 2040 aims to have four Omani universities ranked among the top 500 globally by 2040. Dr Mariam al Nabhani Sultan Qaboos University moved up to 334th worldwide, from 362nd in 2025. Sohar University advanced to the 951–1000 band, up from 1001–1200. Three private institutions entered the QS rankings for the first time: Unive-rsity of Nizwa (761–770), Dhofar University (851–900) and German University of Technology in Oman (1001–1200). Mariam attributed the progress to quality improvements in education, research capacity and innovation. She said Omani institutions have aligned their structures to meet QS standards, which assess academic reputation, research quality, employer perception, international collaboration and student diversity. 'The QS report supports our universities in gaining global recognition and achieving Vision 2040 targets,' she said. Dr Moosa al Kindi, Dean of Modern College of Business and Science, described the report as a milestone for Oman's education sector, underlining how higher education institutions contribute to national development through research and innovation. The report, he added, demonstrates Oman's commitment to building a knowledge-based economy and enhancing its position in the global academic community.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- General
- Express Tribune
Varsity victory
Listen to article The QS World University Rankings is a prestigious international ranking of the world's top universities, released annually by UK-based higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). Last year, 10 Pakistani universities made the cut among approximately 1,500 universities from more than 100 countries. Impressively, this year, 18 Pakistani universities have joined the ranks of globally acknowledged and celebrated varsities – almost double the number. The inclusion of our universities in this list is a moment of pride for the higher education sector and its continued efforts towards producing the educated cream of the country. Among the 18 Pakistani universities included in the rankings, Quaid e Azam University, Islamabad, ranks highest at 354 globally, whereas The Islamia University of Bahawalpur falls within the 1,401-1500 range. Without doubt, their placement is a noteworthy achievement. However, it does raise important questions about the shortcomings in our higher education system that deters these universities from breaking into the top 100. The universities in the QS list are ranked according to several indicators including academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty and faculty presence. While Pakistani universities do their best to prepare their students for a well-rounded segue into the real world, they often fall short of advancing original research and publications in high-impact journals. The country's field of academia is no stranger to corruption at the top and hassle-free publication sometimes restricts itself to upper class circles, making academia inaccessible for a lot of academics. Moreover, universities often lack government funding crucial for modern facilities and advancements. This delay is complemented with outdated curriculums that do not always reflect what the future demands. Despite these gaps and roadblocks, 18 Pakistani universities are now globally recognised for their quality education and environment, and they will hopefully pave the way for even stronger performance in the future.
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Two Moroccan Universities in QS 2026 Worldwide Ranking
Rabat — Morocco has secured a presence – albeit modest — in the latest QS World University Rankings of 2026, with two universities making it to the recently published list by British firm Quacquarelli Symonds. Out of 1,501 institutions ranked across 106 countries, Morocco is represented by Mohammed V University in Rabat, placed in the 1,201–1,400 band, and Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech, which appears in the 1,401+ category. Despite being among the country's most established institutions, neither managed to break into the upper tiers of the global or continental rankings. Other African countries have made more significant strides by the list's criteria. Egypt has 20 universities featured in the 2026 ranking, while South Africa lists 11, including the University of Cape Town at 150th place and the University of the Witwatersrand at 29th.. The rankings also pinpoints a broader trend across the continent: only ten African countries are represented in the QS list, most with just one or two institutions. Nigeria, for instance, failed for the third year in a row to place any of its 297 universities among the top 1,000. No African university ranked in the global top 100, but the University of Cape Town's 150th place stands out as a stronger performer within the continent. At the global level, American and British universities topped the list with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) securing the number one position, followed by Imperial College London, Stanford University, and the University of Oxford. The QS rankings are based on eight indicators, including academic and employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, research citations, international diversity, graduate employment outcomes, and sustainability engagement. Morocco's limited presence in international rankings signals the need for stronger research policies, improved academic-industry links, and more ambitious internationalization strategies. A recent study in the African Scientific Journal examining Morocco's higher education system emphasized raising education standards, enhancing teaching quality, modernizing curricula, and expanding global partnerships. The study also called for strengthening the English language as a medium of instruction to better prepare students for the global stage.
