Gerard A. PostiglioneandFutao Huang

Opinion | Why some Chinese universities are opting out of global rankings

During a visit to Renmin University, President Xi Jinping called for Chinese universities to create an independent knowledge system and safeguard their independence

In addition, Chinese universities, having already gained global prestige from their rapid rise in the international rankings, may see little gain in settling for a plateau

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President Xi Jinping sits with students during a visit to Renmin University of China in Beijing on April 25. Photo: Xinhua

Gerard A. PostiglioneandFutao Huang

Published: 6:45am, 25 May 2022

World-class universities attract investment which can help diversify the economy and ensure future growth. China learned this early on and even charted its own rise by establishing an international university ranking agency, the Academic Ranking of World Universities (AWRU).

In 2016, two Chinese universities made the top 200 of the Times Higher Education rankings. There were seven in the top 200 of the same ranking in 2021, with Tsinghua University and Peking University in the top 25.

Last month, President Xi Jinping visited Renmin University, a leading research institution in Beijing. He suggested China’s universities should not blindly follow foreign models. As Renmin specialises in the humanities and social sciences, Xi emphasised Chinese cultural traditions and called on universities to create an independent knowledge system and safeguard their independence.

Soon after, Renmin announced it would opt out of international rankings. This was one way to heed Xi’s words. Nanjing University and Lanzhou University have also opted out of overseas rankings.

A larger trend of universities not participating in international rankings would be part of a strategic move for their long-term future.