World University Rankings (2024)

Universities have helped some countries become leaders in fields linked to specific SDGs, thanks to their outreach efforts, meticulous data collection and creative campus/community initiatives. Rosa Ellis reports

New thematic analysis reveals the countries and institutions that are walking the talk on sustainability

Progress in North America and Asia helps to push up number of institutions committing to withdraw funds from fossil fuel companies

African participation doubles, while institutions outside powerhouse of South Africa are becoming more visible

Locale determines the mission of many universities, and the Impact Rankings recognise how such diversity and community-mindedness helps to further progress towards the SDGs

University of Technology Sydney head on achieving impact on policy and sustainability by building partnerships, fossil fuel divestment and boosting Indigenous enrolment

The president of Lingnan University on requiring students to use ChatGPT and using data to manage grumbles from staff

Create a shared vision, set ambitious targets and celebrate loudly, advises ZoeRodwell for keeping a sustainability strategy ontrack

Higher education growth shifts east, but there are markedly different trends across Asia

The head of Nanyang Technological University leverages the institution’s youthful vigour to put AI at the heart of learning and uses his research background to inform his leadership and help recruit potential Nobel prizewinners

Universities in the Arab region make giant leaps in their reputation, owing to increasing prestige regionally

Geopolitical tensions and freedom of speech issues are testing universities the world over. To successfully manage their reputations, they must avoid getting distracted by all the noise, says Mark Sudbury

The Technical University of Munich is moving beyond outreach and creating a two-way dialogue with society, says Jeanne Rubner

The World University Rankings have grown and developed to reflect thechanging global higher education sector, writes Ellie Bothwell

UK and US universities struggle to keep pace with top Asian performers as research fundingshares decline

North America has also revived whileOceania’s international outlook hasdipped. Patrick Jack picks out key rankings trends

Updatedmethodology reveals previously underappreciated research strength in some Asian countries, reports Rosa Ellis

Our revised rankings methodology shows Asian research is stronger than appreciated, asparticipation and competition rises across a dynamic region writes Ellie Bothwell

Continent’selite shuffle positions, while more universities fromWest and South Asia feature

Saudi Arabia’s KAUST leads table for the first time, driven by its research performance

Institutions in the UAE stand out for their high levels of cooperation with both global and regional institutions

Even as many universities struggle to keep the lights on, others reap the rewards of strong investment and tumult elsewhere, writes PolaLem

Chile is poised to lead on internationalisation, thanks to national funding boost

The University of the Witwatersrand in South Africaleads first everTHE ranking forthe region

Data suggests an improvement in recognition for public municipal universities in teaching-focused league table

Harvard leads student-focused ranking for fifth consecutive year

THEsurvey finds strong support for Covid-19 vaccine passports among international students, who are keen to study in-person

Ranking of US universities and colleges puts student success and learning at its heart