UGM is strengthening its identity as a world class university. In the QS World University Ranking released on Thursday (8/6), UGM’s rank has increased significantly to 402nd World. As for the indicator of academic reputation, UGM has risen to 203rd.
“For this year, the Higher Learning Directorate had targeted UGM to join the World Top 500. So, by reaching ranking number 402, UGM has already passed the target,” said Head of Quality Assurance, Prof. Indra Wijaya Kusuma.
According to Strategic Plans of Research, Technology, and Higher Education Ministry for 2015-2019 a number of state universities were instructed to raise the level of their national competitiveness through getting into the World Top 500 according to Quacquarelli Symonds’ QS World University Ranking. The international ranking is one of world’s is a form of global recognition for the administration of higher learning that can also increase reputation and role of a university in science and technology development.
In the previous ranking, UGM was at 501. Indra said the jump in the ranking had showed the commitment and hard work of the UGM academic community in order to increase the quality of education, research and community service.
“This achievement is made possible by the hard work of all members of academic community in increasing the quality of education, research and community service, so congratulations to all,” he said.
To ensure continuity, UGM, through a special team for ranking, has implemented a program that is divided into three main areas: Brand Equity, Data Integration, and Academic Internationalisation. An influential UGM program in terms of the QS ranking includes summer courses and visiting scholars, nights of friends and alumni gatherings.
QS stated the aspect of academic reputation became UGM’s strongest indicator. This year UGM has shown an increase in academic reputation assessment from 244th in the World, with 40.9 valuation in the previous year, to 203rd with 48.8 valuation this year, thus surpassing Universitas Indonesia which excelled in the past year in this country.
Indra explained the assessment of academic reputation was earned from the annual survey by the QS which is designed to evaluate academic perception from around the world related to the best institutions in terms of research. This year, QS received over 75,000 responses that were recorded globally.
Going forward, UGM faces the challenge of following up the achievement of this year by increasing its quality. Indra said improvements need to be made in all aspects.
“All aspects have to be improved, particularly research, publication, and citation, along with adding to the number of lecturers, and increasing the academic reputation,” Indra concluded.