Who are Australia’s top ‘young universities’?

Who are Australia’s top ‘young universities’?

This week, the 16th annual ranking of the world’s top ‘young universities’ was released, with nine Australian universities making the top 50.

First published in 2012, the QS Top 50 Under 50 ranks the best universities in the world which are under 50 years old, allowing some of the world’s top young universities to shine. Since 2015, it has tripled its range to include the Next 100 Under 50.

Like the QS World University Ranking, the ‘50 Under 50’ Ranking takes into account research impact, graduate employability, academic reputation, faculty to student ratio and internationalisation levels.

The five most highly ranked universities in the list were Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, The City University of Hong Kong and Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres).

The University of Technology Sydney placed 11th on the list, making it the top ranked ‘Top 50 Under 50’ university in Australia behind The University of Wollongong, which came in 16th in the world.

Other Australian universities to make the top 50 included Queensland University of Technology (19th), Curtin University (21st), RMIT (22nd), Deakin University (29th), University of South Australia (30th), Griffith University (37th) and James Cook University (48th).

UTS Vice-Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs said UTS’s movement over eight years in several major ranking systems was confirmation that building on strengths, including capacities for collaboration and working for the social good, would enhance the university’s international reputation.

“The Times Higher Education rankings judge research-intensive universities across teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook, all targets of the strategies the university has pursued over a decade,” Professor Brungs said.

“UTS has invested in world-class facilities, creating an environment that supports innovative learning.”

This month, a cutting-edge ‘biotech bunker’ is set to open at UTS, offering unmatched training and teaching opportunities, and cementing the University as a global leader in research and development for algal biotech industries.

“And in August, UTS Central will open its doors to students, staff and the community, featuring the Hive Super Lab as well as a new student hub which includes the library, reading room and three large collaborative theatres,” Professor Brungs added.

UOW’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Jennifer Martin AC congratulated her University’s staff on the rankings, attributing the successes to a “significant increase in the quality of research as measured by citations”.

“The results have been driven in large part by our continued pursuit of excellence in research,” Professor Martin said.

“These strong results are the amalgamation of our individual efforts as academics and professional support staff across the university. They reflect our focus on delivering high quality research, achieving real-world impact and embracing equity and inclusion.”

The ranking follows UOW’s outstanding performance in the 2019 Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, released on 27 June.

The university climbed from 32nd to 29th in the world, lifting its score in all five key performance indicators.