In a groundbreaking achievement, the National University of Singapore (NUS) has secured a position in the top 10 of the esteemed global university rankings for the very first time.
The university emerged in eighth place in the recently released 2024 edition of the prestigious Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, a significant jump from its 11th position in the previous edition unveiled in 2022.
Outshining other institutions across Asia, NUS now proudly holds the title of the highest-ranked Asian university and the first from the continent to secure a spot in the top 10 of this renowned ranking, which is predominantly dominated by universities from the United States and Britain.
Again, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is leading the chart, retaining its position from previous years, closely followed by the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford.
Harvard University claims the fourth spot, with Stanford University rounding off the top five.
In its 20th edition, the latest QS ranking incorporates an updated methodology that includes three new metrics: an institution's commitment to sustainability, employment outcomes, and international research network.
Additionally, QS has adjusted the weightage assigned to certain indicators such as academic reputation, employer reputation, and faculty-to-student ratio.
For example, the weightage for academic reputation has been reduced from 40 per cent to 30 per cent, while employer reputation now carries 15 per cent instead of the previous 10 per cent.
NUS performed exceptionally well in several areas, securing the seventh position for employment outcomes and the 15th for academic reputation. It currently ranks 54th globally for employer reputation and 64th for citations per faculty, a measure of research impact.
NUS President Tan Eng Chye stated, "This is a historic first for NUS to be placed within the top 10 globally, amongst many other prestigious institutions worldwide. It is a testament to our capabilities and commitment to providing a world-class and interdisciplinary education to nurture agile and resilient graduates with diverse skills and knowledge for an ever-changing world."
He further attributed this accomplishment to the dedication and exceptional work of the university's faculty, staff, and students, who remain unwavering in their commitment to upholding the institution's distinguished quality of education and positively impacting both inside and outside the classroom.
QS CEO Jessica Turner commended NUS on this unparalleled milestone, describing it as a remarkable moment for Asian higher education. She praised NUS for its unwavering dedication to research excellence, innovation, and sustainability.
In the same rankings, Nanyang Technological University secured the 26th position, slightly lower than its previous ranking of 19th. Singapore Management University occupied the 545th position, while the Singapore University of Technology and Design made a notable debut at 429th place.