THE Asia University Rankings 2020: dynamo turns to new challenges

Browse the THE Asia University Rankings 2020 results

Of all the regions covered by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Asia has arguably advanced the most in terms of higher education in recent years.

Three Asian universities now feature among the top 25 of the global league table – remarkable progress given that four years ago, in 2016, there were no regional representatives in this group.

China has improved its position in the rankings more than any other country during this time, with seven of its universities now among the top 200, compared with only two five years ago.

Our Asia University Rankings provide a spotlight on this dynamic region, offering a clearer view of the transformation of the continent’s higher education landscape. Since the ranking was launched in 2013, mainland China has overtaken first Japan and then Singapore to become home of the top institution. The People’s Republic claims the top two places in the table for the first time this year, and seven of the top 20 positions.

Japan, however, remains the leader on overall representation in the ranking, with 110 universities (compared with 81 in China and 56 in India).

Overall, just under 500 universities from 30 countries/regions feature in this ranking (up from just over 400 in last year’s list).

The institutions are a diverse lot with a range of missions. And as our graphic on the strengths and weaknesses of new entrants demonstrates, there are a variety of models of excellence across the continent.

Although the continuing progress will cheer those in the region, this past year has in many ways been a tumultuous one in Asian higher education.

Student protests in Hong Kong last year significantly disrupted classes and damaged buildings, as John Burns references in his article on the city. Indian universities also witnessed intense student protests and violence earlier this year.

The outbreak of Covid-19 has caused widespread disruption. Asian international students have been stranded, and teaching and research across the globe have been upset and unsettled. However, some have predicted that shifting global student flows as a result of the pandemic may lead to East Asia emerging as a regional higher education hub.

Meanwhile, several East Asian countries face long-term demographic challenges, which have led to university closures and mergers, as highlighted in our analysis.

As the article suggests, universities cannot rely on governments to solve these multifarious problems; they must shoulder the mantle themselves. While we cannot say exactly what strategies will be employed, one thing is certain: their solutions are likely to be as diverse as the universities themselves.

Countries/regions represented in THE Asia University Rankings 2020

ellie.bothwell@timeshighereducation.com