The second edition of QS’s ranking of universities in the BRICS countries will be released on 18 June, with an additional 100 universities to be included this time. Developed in partnership with Russian news agency Interfax, the QS University Rankings: BRICS was launched last year. The project aims to highlight leading institutions in these five emerging economies, and facilitate comparison of the BRICS countries’ higher education systems.
The ranking is compiled based on eight performance indicators, which were selected and assigned weightings following consultation with regional experts. The aim is to reflect specific challenges and priorities for universities in the BRICS countries, while also tracking their progress towards reaching world-class level. Those viewing the results online can choose to view the full integrated list, compare universities on separate indicators, or view results only for certain BRICS countries.
Highlighting strengths and challenges for BRICS universities
The first set of results, which published just the top 100 BRICS universities, suggested that these five emerging economies are indeed performing at a comparable level in higher education, while also revealing significant differences in the strengths and weaknesses of each nation’s system. For example, Indian universities emerged as the clear leaders in recruiting highly qualified academic staff, whereas Russian institutions scored much better for overall academic staffing levels relative to student numbers.
When considering the composite results, Chinese universities dominated both the top 100 and the top 10, reflecting both the sheer size of the country’s higher education system and its success in attaining a strong global reputation for its leading institutions. Yet China also shares many of the same challenges facing the other BRICS countries, notably in attracting higher numbers of international academics and students, and in ensuring that stepped-up research production translates into more international citations.
Sharing best practices at universities in emerging economies
The forthcoming edition of the QS University Rankings: BRICS, extended to include twice as many institutions, will offer further opportunities to explore these trends and divergences. The results will be announced at a conference in Beijing on 18 June, entitled “Emerging Economies: Universities in the Spotlight”.
Featuring presentations and panel discussions from representatives of universities and ministries across the BRICS countries, the event will explore trends, policies and developments at BRICS universities. Special sessions will also be dedicated to sharing best practices for supporting internationally mobile academics and students, and strategies for strengthening international collaboration in research. Find out more about the conference and register for a free place here.