Each year, the Times Higher Education publishes a list of the top-ranked universities in the world, from research carried out by QS Quacquarelli Symonds. The universities are rated in a number of areas, including number of international staff and students, research citations, student faculty ratio and academic peer review. A number of Asian universities consistently rank in the top 100, with the following being the best ten:
The University of Tokyo, Japan (World Ranking 22)
Established in 1877, the University of Tokyo is the oldest in Japan. A large university, with a student population of around 30,000, Tokyo University has maintained its position as the best university in Asia over the years. It has ranked in the top 20 of the Times Higher Education’s ranking list since 2004.
University of Hong Kong, China (World Ranking 24)
Officially opened in 1912, Hong Kong Universiety (HKU) is the oldest tertiary education institution in Hong Kong. Today, HKU has academic links with more than 400 universities around the world and plays host to over 3,200 international students.
Kyoto University, Japan (World Ranking 25)
Kyoto Imperial University was founded in 1897, the second university to be established in Japan. Toshio Yokoyama, the university’s Vice-President, described it to the Times Higher Education in 2008 as “the campus where eccentrics also thrive.” The co-existence of ancient temples and shrines with traditional craft studios and high-tech companies on the campus is a source of the university’s creativity.
National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore (World Ranking 30)
Tan Chorh Chuan, President-Designate of NUS, told Times Higher Education the National University of Singapore offers international education and research, with unique Asian expertise and perspectives. “At the NUS, we see each of our students as a unique individual. Our globally oriented education offers space, opportunities and challenges for them to discover their talents, pursue their passions and realise their potential," he said.
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China (World Ranking 35)
Opened in 1991, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ranked at number 39 in the Times Higher Education’s World’s Top 200 Universities, and at number 24 in the World’s Top 100 Universities in Technology in 2008. In the same year, the Financial Times ranked its MBA Programme at number 17 in the world.
Osaka University, Japan (World Ranking 43)
Established in 1931, Osaka University can trace its roots back to Kaitokudo, the Edo-period school for citizens founded in 1724. Today's university is actively involved in international exchange.
Chinese University of Hong Kong, China (World Ranking 46)
Founded in 1963, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has a stated mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. In 2007, the university played host to around 20,000 students, of whom about 3,000 were from 45 countries and regions outside Hong Kong.
Seoul National University, Korea (World Ranking 47)
First opened in 1946, the upheaval of the Korean War meant that the university had to re-open in 1953. Today, the university has 16 Colleges, one Graduate School and six Professional Schools.
Tsinghua University, China (World Ranking 49)
Established in 1911 as a preparatory school, Tsinghua became a fully-fledged university in 1928. While offering a broad range of degrees, the university focuses on engineering.
Peking University, China (World Ranking 52)
Peking University, formerly the Metropolitan University of the Qing Dynasty, first opened in 1898. It now consists of 31 colleges and 14 departments, with over 4000 international students from about 80 countries.
To conclude, in recent years the best universities in Asia have been steadily climbing the world rankings, and provide a wealth of higher education opportunities.
Paris Franz - Paris Franz is a London-based freelance journalist, specialising in the arts, history and travel.
