Hong Kong universities have soared in the Asian rankings. Photo: Dickson LeeThree Hong Kong public universities have cracked the top 10 in the latest Asian university rankings, marking a significant achievement for the city’s higher education sector. The rankings are the most the city has achieved since the standings were first compiled 16 years ago.
British firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), which compiles the annual Asian University Rankings, said the city’s “Study in Hong Kong” campaign would help it attract global talent and expand its international student base.
Among the 11 universities in Hong Kong in the latest ranking, seven rose, two fell, one remained unchanged and one entered the chart for the first time.
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) maintained its second place, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) rose from 10th to sixth position and City University (CityU) jumped seven places to No 10 – marking the first time three local institutions were among the top 10 since the rankings were first put together in 2009.
CityU achieved its highest ranking to date.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology rose from 15th to 11th, while Polytechnic University moved up six places to 17th.
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The ranking table is determined by 11 indicators, including academic standing, faculty members with PhDs, graduate employability, research quality and productivity, and internationalisation on campus.
QS said the latest ranking covered 25 countries and territories in Asia, analysing 984 of the region’s best universities, 127 more than last year.
India is the most represented location, with 163 ranked institutions, followed by mainland China with 135 and Japan with 115.
Peking University claimed the No 1 spot for the third consecutive year. Two Singaporean universities, the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University maintained their positions, ranking third and fourth respectively.
“The results see Hong Kong’s universities soar up the table, achieving an overall improvement rate of 45 per cent, driven by improvements in teaching resources, research productivity and international student numbers,” QS said.
QS senior vice-president Ben Sowter said: “Initiatives, such as the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ brand, should continue to attract global talent and expand Hong Kong’s international student base.”
The University of Hong Kong led in three metrics of the rankings, including academic and employer reputation, and international research network, the company said.
It also highlighted CityU’s top ranking among all rated universities in three metrics – the proportion of international faculty, and students’ inbound and outbound exchange.
QS added that CityU was also the domestic front-runner in three further indicators, namely papers per faculty, staff with PhDs and international students.
A spokesman for HKU said its consistent performance in the latest rankings highlighted its status as a global leader in academia and innovation.
“The university believes that its strong performance in the latest rankings will support HKU, as a global university in Asia, in contributing to the government’s ‘Study in Hong Kong’ initiative to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education,” he said.
CityU president Freddy Boey said the ranking proved that the institution was one of Asia’s top universities.
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“[It] highlights our steady progress in academic research and our pursuit of innovation and excellence,” he said.
“CityU will continue to promote inspirational, interactive and innovative education, attracting top talent from around the world and nurturing future leaders with a global perspective.”
A spokeswoman for CUHK said the results validated its leading position in the international higher education sector.
“CUHK will continue to pursue excellence by striving for innovation in research and teaching, while also enhancing collaboration with higher education institutions worldwide, contributing to Hong Kong, the nation and global society for the benefit of humanity,” she said.
PolyU president Teng Jin-guang said the university had achieved an impressive and encouraging result in the rankings, adding it would further strengthen its ties and collaborations with partners around the globe.
Baptist University and Lingnan University slid in their rankings to 71st and 188th, from 64th and 167th respectively last year.
Education University, the city’s largest teacher education institution, was ranked for the first time in 212th place.
Hong Kong Shue Yan University, a privately funded university, claimed 342nd place, moving up a category from its previous place in the 351-400 group.
Two other private institutions, Hong Kong Metropolitan University and the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, entered the 541-560 category, moving up from the 701-750 and 601-650 groups respectively.