Cambridge University has lost its place at the top of the world rankings of universities, slipping to second behind the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Harvard University is third, having topped the table every year between 2004 and 2009. In contrast, MIT has risen steadily up the rankings from 10th in 2007.
The list has been compiled by QS World University Rankings. “The rise of MIT coincides with a global shift in emphasis toward science and technology,” says Ben Sowter, QS head of research.
Nine of the top 10 tech-focused universities improve their position, led by MIT, Imperial College (6), Caltech (10) and ETH Zurich (13). Korea’s KAIST (63) is the biggest riser in the top 100, while Hong Kong’s HKUST (33) and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (47) continue their rapid ascent. Both were founded in the last 21 years.
As far as Indian universities are concerned, says Danny Byrne, editor of TopUniversities.com, “2012 is a mixed year for Indian universities, though two of the top three institutions manage to improve on their 2011 positions. IIT Delhi moves up six places to 212, ahead of IIT Bombay (down two places to 227). IIT Kanpur, which at 278 is the biggest Indian climber, surges up 28 places from last year to move into the global top 300 for the first time since 2010. India’s total of 10 universities in the top 700 is the same as last year, though six of these universities have moved backwards.”
He adds that a positive hint to be taken from this year’s performance is that the top three Indian universities improved their research citation rates, an area in which they have traditionally struggled. IITK is the country’s top scorer in this measure, while five Indian universities feature in the top 300. This points to some progress in the global visibility and impact of Indian research, helped by increased investments from both public and private sectors.
Universities from around the world are judged on their academic and employment reputations from a global survey, the number of citations per faculty in academic research journals, the staff-to-student ratio and the proportion of international students and staff. The results this year was based on surveys of more than 46,000 academics and 28,000 employers.
The list has been compiled by QS World University Rankings. “The rise of MIT coincides with a global shift in emphasis toward science and technology,” says Ben Sowter, QS head of research.
Nine of the top 10 tech-focused universities improve their position, led by MIT, Imperial College (6), Caltech (10) and ETH Zurich (13). Korea’s KAIST (63) is the biggest riser in the top 100, while Hong Kong’s HKUST (33) and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (47) continue their rapid ascent. Both were founded in the last 21 years.
As far as Indian universities are concerned, says Danny Byrne, editor of TopUniversities.com, “2012 is a mixed year for Indian universities, though two of the top three institutions manage to improve on their 2011 positions. IIT Delhi moves up six places to 212, ahead of IIT Bombay (down two places to 227). IIT Kanpur, which at 278 is the biggest Indian climber, surges up 28 places from last year to move into the global top 300 for the first time since 2010. India’s total of 10 universities in the top 700 is the same as last year, though six of these universities have moved backwards.”
He adds that a positive hint to be taken from this year’s performance is that the top three Indian universities improved their research citation rates, an area in which they have traditionally struggled. IITK is the country’s top scorer in this measure, while five Indian universities feature in the top 300. This points to some progress in the global visibility and impact of Indian research, helped by increased investments from both public and private sectors.
Universities from around the world are judged on their academic and employment reputations from a global survey, the number of citations per faculty in academic research journals, the staff-to-student ratio and the proportion of international students and staff. The results this year was based on surveys of more than 46,000 academics and 28,000 employers.
