UQ holds firm in prestigious ARWU ranking

After major gains over the past three years, The University of Queensland has held its position in the prestigious Academic Ranking of World Universities announced today, ranking 55th globally and second in Australia.

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said that, in a world with more than 10,000 universities, today’s achievement in the most recognised international ranking of universities reflected UQ’s outstanding research excellence.

“It’s a powerful testament to the very high quality of our people,” he said.

"There’s no doubt that the entire nation benefits from having highly ranked, innovative, research-intensive universities such as UQ.

“The quality of our research serves as a beacon for global innovators, researchers, philanthropists and partners looking to collaborate with the best minds to generate new knowledge and products that enhance lives in Australia and abroad.

“The benefits of our rankings and research-intensive environment enhance the learning experience of our students who will become the leaders of the future, creating positive change in our society.

“The ARWU rankings, which feature six Australian universities in the top 100, are a timely reminder of why the nation must keep its universities strong and not jeopardise the competitive advantage that benefits all Australians.”

The ARWU results build on the back of UQ’s strong performances in other international ranking in 2017.

UQ placed 47^th globally in the influential QS World University Rankings announced in June, putting it well inside the top one per cent of the world’s universities.

This was followed closely by the release of the ARWU subject rankings, with UQ named in the world’s top ten universities for six subjects (with 18 subjects in the top 50 and 36 in the top 100) and best in Australia in another six.

The ARWU rankings have been published by The Center for World-Class Universities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University annually since 2003 when UQ was well outside the top 100.

Professor Høj said UQ’s research culture benefited undergraduate and higher degree students, and the ARWU results reinforced the outstanding global credentials of UQ graduates.

“A research-inspired culture nurtures and fosters the pursuit of new knowledge and ideas, setting the scene for members of the UQ family to create positive change throughout the world.

“We are looking to partner with many more enterprises, such as has happened with Boeing, to augment the flow and application of our knowledge into the global sphere.”

Further information and full rankings are available at the ShanghaiRanking website.

Media: communications@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 1120.