SINGAPORE - The Times Higher Education has published the 12th edition of its World University Rankings. The National University of Singapore takes Asia's number one spot and is 26th in the world in the newly expanded World University Rankings. Nanyang Technological University (55th) has also ranked in the top 100 list.
Rank: 2015-2016 / Institution
26 National University of Singapore
55 Nanyang Technological University
Phil Baty, the editor of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings said:
"The National University of Singapore is the number one institution in Asia in the World University Rankings, confirming that Singapore remains one of the continent's top university nations. What the country lacks in depth, it makes up for in quality; despite the fact only two of its institutions make the world top 800, both of these are in the upper echelons of the list, competing with traditionally dominant universities in the US and the UK. Thanks to consistent government investment and academic collaboration, Singapore stands as a case study of how to challenge elite Western institutions and become a rising university star."
In Asia, the National University of Singapore holds Asia's number one spot (in 26th place) while China's two leading universities (Peking and Tsinghua) are firmly established in the world's elite top 50 group at 42nd and joint 47th respectively. Japan has two institutions in the top 200, University of Tokyo (43rd) and Kyoto University (joint 88th), while South Korea has four institutions in the top 200: Seoul National University (85th), Pohang University of Science and Technology (116th), the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (148th) and Sungkyunkwan University (153rd). Hong Kong has three institutions in the top 200: the University of Hong Kong (joint 44th), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (59th) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (joint 138th). India has 17 institutions in the top 800 list, with two in the top 400 list, which are the Indian Institute of Science in the 251-300 group and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (351-400).
Phil Baty continued:
"It is a mixed picture for Asia. China's two leading universities, Peking and Tsinghua, are firmly established within the world's elite top 50 group. Singapore is another strong performer - it now boasts Asia's number one university, the National University of Singapore in 26th place, and its compatriot, Nanyang Technological University, sits in its highest ever place, 55th.
"But tough times for Japan and disappointment for South Korea mean that leading Asian nations' grip on the higher ranks of the THE World University Rankings is loose. Many leading institutions, particularly in East Asia, have been focussing heavily on attaining world class status, backed with funding and powerful political will. But this rankings demonstrates how difficult a task this is, as universities right across the world continue to improve."
THE World University Rankings feature universities in 70 countries, with 29 new countries included this year. Countries entering this year include Indonesia, Malaysia, Ghana, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Latvia, Oman, Qatar and the Ukraine. While the US remains the world leader when it comes to elite universities, its dominance has been eroded this year. It has six of the top ten universities - down from seven last year - and 39 of the top 100 - down from 45 last year. There are more European universities in the world top 200 than ever before, with 70 across Europe and another 34 in the UK. More specifically, the UK, Germany and the Netherlands follow the US into second, third and fourth place respectively in terms of the number of universities in the rankings.
Phil Baty continued:
"The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, now in their 12th year, apply rigorous standards, using tough global benchmarks across all of a global research university's key missions - teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. The results are trusted by students and their families and by academics, university leaders and governments. The top 800 list represents just 4 per cent of the world's higher education institutions, so we congratulate all institutions who have made this year's list.
"This year's expanded list is testament to just how competitive global higher education has become - our top 800 universities come from 70 different countries, and the traditional dominance of the US is eroding. Make no mistake - many countries aspire to have world class universities competing with the very best in the world, and no one at the top can afford to rest on their laurels. You have to run very fast just to stand still and there are many rising stars from a wide range of nations seeking to gain the upper hand in the 21st century knowledge economy."
For the full table of 2015-16 university rankings, please go to http://www.thewur.com.
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EASTWEST Public Relations for TES Global
Carolin Fernandes | Edmund Ding
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About Times Higher Education magazine
Times Higher Education is the world's most authoritative source of information about higher education. Designed specifically for professional people working in higher education and research, THE was founded in 1971 and has been online since 1995. It is published by TES Global.
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