Three UAE universities in first Times Higher Education rankings for Middle East

DUBAI, 26th February, 2015 (WAM) -- In the list of the top 30 institutions, three UAE universities have made it into the first Times Higher Education, THE, rankings for the Mena region. According to a report published by The National daily, on the global rankings to be released next year, UAE University was ranked in 11th place, American University of Sharjah at 17th and Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi at 20th. "This pilot ranking is highly significant as it gives us an opportunity to start a serious, in-depth conversation about what range of performance indicators are needed to properly assess universities in the Mena region," said Phil Baty, editor of the THE World University Rankings. "This top 30 is based on just a single indicator – research effect. It gives us a snapshot of the quality of research taking place in the region, and which universities are making the highest global effect in research. But of course, while research is a key activity for universities, and they play a vital role in creating new knowledge and developing new technologies through research, it is not the only mission. Teaching is crucial, and of course, as is the third mission of working with industry." The THE World University Rankings, which has been published annually for more than a decade, uses 13 separate performance indicators to judge institutions across the full range of activities – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. Eleven countries are featured in the Mena top 30 list, which Mr Baty says shows that no single country is dominant in the field of research, adding, "This is great news, as it suggests there is big potential for several countries to play a much bigger role on the world stage in terms of research excellence," he said. For the UAE, he says that having three spots in the list is significant and shows research is an area in which the Emirates is developing quickly. "As there has been a limited research infrastructure in the UAE, a very sensible decision has been made to import leading international institutions and leading global scholars to help build the foundations and create a strong research base," said Mr Baty. "This is an aspect which I expect to see improving in the coming years due to the levels of investment and the commitment to development." – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395277107940.html