The University of Queensland has yet again improved in a major world university ranking, to be 63rd in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2013-14, released today.
UQ’s rise of two places since 2012 is its fourth consecutive improvement in the THE rankings - it has risen 18 places since 2010 – and reaffirms UQ’s significant global stature in all key facets of its purpose.
Moreover, UQ’s strong performance defies straitened conditions for Australian higher education, which prompted the rankings’ editor, Phil Baty to describe the nation’s results as “particularly alarming given that dramatic university cuts of A$2.3 billion (£1.6 billion) are yet to be fully felt”.
UQ President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj said UQ’s pleasing performance “reflects a commitment to excellence by present and past staff and students, and an appreciation of high-quality teaching and research by our collaborators, industry partners, philanthropists and other funders”.
“This is the third time in less than two months that UQ has improved its already-strong position within the top 100 of a widely-recognised global university ranking, and that is due to the hard work of thousands of people,” he said.
“Such is their focus and commitment that UQ has risen in all four major global rankings in the past year.
“The methodologies of different ranking systems highlight different strengths, and when viewed together the results indicate that UQ is a globally-competitive performer on all fronts.
“However I note that THE rankings editor Phil Baty has issued sobering comments about the environment for Australian universities, as reflected in the results of some of even some leading universities,” Professor Høj said.
After acknowledging that Australia has a “hugely successful record in international student recruitment and strong links to Western universities and the rising Asian powers”, Mr Baty said: “It would be a terrible blow if short-sightedness as to the huge value of universities in driving the knowledge economy left it unable to build on this strong position.”
UQ is now the third most highly-ranked Australian university in THE, and Mr Baty said UQ’s “continued rise up the rankings is particularly impressive, demonstrating strength right across the board on a wide range of metrics”.
The other tables on which UQ has improved recently are the QS World University Rankings 2012-2013 (UQ 43); 2012 Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities (UQ 72); and the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2013 (UQ 85).
Media: Carolyn Varley, UQ Communications, ph +61 7 3365 1120
