Australian Universities move north in the QS world rankings with the highlight being three Australian universities now feature in the top 20 and nine in the top 100 globally. These are The University of Melbourne (14), The University of New South Wales (=19), The University of Sydney (=19), The Australian National University (34), Monash University (42), The University of Queensland (43), The University of Western Australia (72), The University of Adelaide (89), and The University of Technology, Sydney 90).
The sector, lobbying groups and institutions alike were quick to spruik their efforts.
Go8 CEO, Vicky Thompson said “This is an outstanding achievement for Australia’s higher education sector. All Go8 universities have cemented their place as exceptional world-class institutions and leaders in global higher education,”
ATN via Twitter saying “Congratulations to all six of ATN’s member universities: @CurtinUni, @Deakin, @RMIT, @Uni_Newcastle, @UniversitySA and @UTSEngage, on ranking higher than last year in the 20th anniversary of the @TopUnis #QSRanking #UniversityRankings”
The University of Melbourne said “The University’s improved QS Ranking is due to a combination of factors including a strong showing in the existing Academic Reputation category. QS also introduced three new categories that the University performed strongly in: Employment Outcomes, Sustainability and International Research Network.”
The University of Sydney VC also noted the cross-town rivalry, correction – collaborative effort, by saying “These outstanding results are a win for the higher education sector in Australia and particularly universities in Sydney, with the University of Sydney tying in 19th place with the University of New South Wales and equal second in Australia. It affirms Sydney’s reputation as being a great global city for higher education.”
As for the largest jump, the Koala believes it to be (happy to stand corrected) the University of Southern Queensland jumping 240 odd places from 651-700 last year to 410 this year. The university said “The strongest indicator was citations (original research information), jumping 112 places to the 209th position to reflect the quality of the University’s research impact and publications.”
According to Austrade 95% of Australian Universities are now globally ranked.
Methodology
While these results clearly bode well for the promotion of the quality aspects of Australian Universities this little Koala can’t help but note some irony within the ranking methodology. The methodology of different rankings is discussed year in and year out with notable changes aforementioned this year benefitting Australian-based institutions in the QS rankings.
However, this week’s Australian Financial Review story “The rise of the Mega University” highlights a potential shortcoming in methodology saying “Take Australia’s most highly ranked university, Melbourne. While it is undeniably Australia’s most esteemed institution, students think differently. Last year, it ranked last out of Australia’s 139 higher education institutions for the quality of its student experience.”
With Melbourne’s attention to this, we may see our first top ten or even top five globally ranked institution in the coming years.
Photo credit: QS
