QS World University Rankings: Gaining 24 positions, Unipd placed among the top 220 universities in the world
28.06.2023
On Tuesday 27 June, 2023 the QS World University Ranking, one of the most accredited international agencies of academic rankings, published its latest results. The ranking evaluates the best universities in the world based on comparative tools that analyse study options, scientific career paths, and international policies.
Results show that the University of Padua significantly improved its performance by gaining 24 positions and placing itself in 219th place on a global scale and 4th place nationally. Thus, UniPd now stands among the Top 250 Universities in the world, which is equal to 2% of the best universities globally. This edition analysed almost 500 more universities than the previous edition with 2,963 total universities from 104 different countries. While only the first 1500 institutions of higher education were made public, QS estimates that there are over 18,000 universities in the world.
The solidity and quality of international research developed by the University of Padua with other institutions appears under a new indicator referred to as the International Research Network. This new indicator measures studies published with foreign co-authors, placing UniPd 77th globally and second in Italy.
Another new indicator, referred to as Sustainability, focuses on the social and environmental impact of universities as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Padua is 55th in the world and 1st nationally. These excellence results bear witness to the continual and progressive commitment Unipd has undertaken in the field of social and environmental sustainability, and one for which Unipd has become an example for other institutions as a driving force for the ecological transition of civil society and the professional workplace. In response to the urgent appeals of a new generation, results of the 2022 QS International Student Survey state that 80% of students believe that universities should do more for the environment.
Padua improves its Academic Reputation score, ranking 133rd in the world according to the number of nominations received as an expression of esteemed recognition by over 100,000 educators and researchers from all over the world.
University of Padua Rector Daniela Mapelli responds: “The excellent result of the QS World University Ranking is due to the work of the entire academic community and confirms the integrity of choices made. We are very happy to receive recognition for our effort in sustainability, an indicator that brings us towards the top fifty universities in the world. Some of our sustainability initiatives include the redevelopment of buildings and offices in Padua and other campuses without added soil consumption, the opening of inclusive museum hubs and our commitment to implementing circular economy policies. We are also quite pleased with the excellent result on international research, which certifies that Padua is well integrated into the network of the best international universities."
As with any evaluation, the methodology and its limitations must be understood to clarify its meaning. Therefore transparency and analysis of the tools for its critical understanding are accessible on a dedicated section of the Unipd website at www.unipd.it/ranking.
