Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has once again reaffirmed its position on the global higher education stage after the QS World University Rankings 2027 were released. Out of 1,504 universities assessed, UGM secured the 206th position globally, rising 18 places from last year’s 224th rank. This achievement serves as clear evidence of the university’s continuous efforts to strengthen academic quality and international competitiveness.
UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, stated that UGM’s improved ranking is the result of the hard work of the university’s academic community, reflected in achievements across the three pillars of higher education.
“The key lies in UGM’s extraordinary social capital across the tridharma (three pillars) of higher education, education with a reputation recognized by stakeholders, innovative and contextual research that addresses societal challenges, and community service that reaches the nation’s most essential needs,” said Professor Emilia on Thursday (Jun. 18).
According to Professor Ova Emilia, UGM’s improved standing in the QS WUR was driven by stronger performance across nearly all assessment indicators. One of the main contributors was its growing academic reputation on the global stage, placing UGM at 131st worldwide in the Academic Reputation indicator.
“This recognition reflects the strengthening of teaching quality, research productivity, and the scholarly contributions of UGM’s academic community in the eyes of the international academic community,” she said.
Professor Ova Emilia noted that internationalization has become a key pillar behind UGM’s rise in the rankings. The presence of international academics on campus has grown stronger, while international research collaboration networks have expanded, signaling more intensive partnerships with institutions across countries.
“UGM’s attractiveness to international students has also increased, strengthening the university’s image as a relevant and competitive global study destination,” she said.
In addition, UGM’s commitment to the sustainable development agenda received special recognition in this year’s ranking. The university ranked among the top institutions in Indonesia in the Sustainability indicator. In terms of workforce engagement, UGM also maintained a strong reputation among employers, ranking 100th globally in Employer Reputation. In Indonesia, UGM placed second in the Employer Reputation, Employment Outcomes, and Academic Reputation indicators.
Professor Ova Emilia added that improvements in the faculty-to-student ratio and the expansion of international research networks, both of which contributed to the increase in the ranking, reflect UGM’s focused strategy to enhance educational quality and strengthen research capacity.
“These measures not only improve our ranking position but also strengthen graduates’ readiness to face workplace challenges and expand the university’s contribution to sustainable development,” she explained.
For Professor Ova Emilia, reaching 206th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 provides important momentum for UGM to continue attracting top talent, expanding international collaboration, and increasing its academic and social impact.
“This result reinforces UGM’s position as one of the leading universities in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, while affirming the institution’s commitment to continue advancing on the global higher education stage,” she concluded.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photo: UGM Public Relations Documentation