Universities in the Arab region have significantly enhanced their reputations, particularly within the region, as indicated by the latest THE World Reputation Rankings.
The analysis of these rankings, which are based on [
], demonstrates a remarkable surge in the percentage of votes allocated to Arab universities since 2021. Notably, institutions in the United Arab Emirates observed a ninefold increase in their vote share, while those in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon experienced a threefold rise. This trend suggests a growing recognition of universities in these countries within academic circles.
Consequently, there have been substantial advancements in the positioning of Arab universities in the 2023 reputation table, which exclusively features the top 200 globally renowned universities.
For instance, a university in Saudi Arabia has progressed from the 176-200 band to the 101-125 range, marking a significant achievement. Additionally, two other Saudi Arabian universities, three from the U.A.E., and one from Lebanon have secured positions in the top 200 for the first time.
The notable elevation in the reputation of Arab universities primarily reflects a regional trend rather than a global phenomenon.
Statistics reveal that, on average, 70.6 percent of the votes cast for Arab universities originated from scholars within the region itself. In contrast, North American universities received only 34.3 percent of votes from the U.S. and Canada, underscoring their international renown.
The survey, which garnered responses from 38,796 academics, required scholars to nominate up to 15 universities that they consider the best in terms of research and teaching in their respective fields.
World Reputation Rankings 2023: Top 10
Miguel Antonio Lim, a senior lecturer in education and international development at [], interpreted the results as an indication that Arab universities excel in reputation management within the region.
According to him, these institutions effectively communicate their research outcomes to have a greater impact locally. However, the utilization of the Arabic language as the primary medium of instruction in Arab institutions may restrict the global translation of their reputation, noted Nadia Badrawi, the president of the Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education.
Badrawi emphasized that the Arab region is entering an era where universities are intensifying their efforts in ranking submissions and quality assurance certifications applications to enhance visibility and reputation.
She highlighted the transformation over the past fifteen years, indicating a significant improvement in quality assurance within universities. This shift aims to showcase their achievements to a global audience.
Furthermore, there is a notable increase in internationalization initiatives, ranging from dual degree programs to establishing branch campuses, reflecting a strategic move towards global integration.
The progress made by Arab universities in reputation rankings resonates with similar advancements in emerging markets like Africa and South America, albeit to a lesser extent. In contrast, traditional higher education hubs such as North America exhibited only marginal improvements compared to previous years.