Three UAE universities, led by Khalifa University, have made it to the 2024 edition of the Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). Khalifa University ranks highest in the country, followed by United Arab Emirates University and the University of Sharjah.
Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi rose 16 spots to 876th, up from 892nd last year, due to improved research performance, placing it in the top 4.2% globally. United Arab Emirates University climbed 65 spots to 1113th from 1178th, while the University of Sharjah advanced 146 spots to 1253rd.
CWUR, which publishes the largest academic ranking of global universities, analyzed 62 million outcome-based data points to rank universities worldwide. The UAE is showing improvement on the global stage, with its top three universities rising in the standings thanks to stronger research performance. The rankings consider several factors, including quality of education, employability, quality of faculty, and research performance. This year, 20,966 universities were ranked, with the top institutions making the Global 2000 list, representing 94 countries.
Methodology
CWUR uses seven objective, outcome-based indicators grouped into four categories to rank the world’s universities:
- 25% for quality of education
- 25% for employability
- 10% for quality of faculty
- 40% for research performance.
Dr. Nadim Mahassen, President of the Center for World University Rankings, commented on the national picture, stating,
“It is encouraging to see the United Arab Emirates making gains in the rankings. In the last five years, the UAE’s global share in scientific research grew by an astonishing 79%. Additional investment in research and development will allow the country to be even more competitive in the international arena of science and technology.”
Dr. Mahassen also noted that while this year’s rankings affirm the world-class status of the US higher education sector, nearly two-thirds of American institutions experienced a decline due to stiff competition from Chinese universities. He added that the overall slide of US institutions mirrors trends seen in the UK, Russia, and Japan, while France has improved due to an increase in mergers between its institutions.
“China’s remarkable rise is due to heavy investment in research and development and recruitment of talented researchers in specialized areas, such as semiconductors, from the US and other countries through the Qiming program. With Chinese universities challenging their Western counterparts, American and European institutions cannot afford to be complacent,”
he said.
Roundup
The US
Despite claiming eight of the top ten spots globally, the US is struggling to maintain its dominance against international rivals. In the Global 2000, only 90 US institutions improved from last year, with 23 maintaining their positions, and 216 dropping in the rankings. All Ivy League institutions are within the global top 70 this year. Berkeley is the leading public university in the US, ranking 12th globally, just behind Chicago. The US has the highest representation in the Global 2000 with 329 institutions, three fewer than the previous year. Canada has 39 institutions on the list, with the University of Toronto leading at number 23.
Europe
Europe remains a key player in global rankings with 639 institutions in the top 2000. However, the outlook for 2024 is challenging due to escalating international competition. In the United Kingdom, the successes of Cambridge and Oxford mask the decline of nearly 60% of UK institutions in the rankings. In the Global 2000, only 28 UK universities improved from last year, with 7 maintaining their spots, and 57 falling in the standings. Of the Russell Group’s 24 research-intensive universities, 2 improved, 6 maintained their positions, and 16 ranked lower than last year. Overall, the UK has 92 representatives, one less than last year, in the Global 2000.
News Source: Khaleej Times
