Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) located in Islamabad has accomplished a significant feat by earning the prestigious distinction of being named Pakistan's leading university in the 2024 Times World University Rankings, securing the 401st position on a global scale.
The Times World University Rankings employ THE's WUR 3.0 methodology, a comprehensive evaluation system that assesses institutions across 18 finely-tuned performance criteria, spanning five key domains: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.
The anticipation surrounding these annual rankings extended to a vast cohort of 1,904 universities spread across 108 countries and regions. Amongst these rigorous criteria, Quaid-i-Azam University particularly excelled by achieving the commendable 227th position for research quality, solidifying its reputation as a hub for academic excellence and innovative research.
While Quaid-i-Azam University led the charge for Pakistan, it's worth noting that 14 other institutions from the country also made noteworthy appearances in the rankings. These included Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Air University, Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), COMSATS University Islamabad, UET Taxila, GC University Faisalabad, and NUST, all of which secured positions within the 601-800 range.
Delving deeper into the rankings, several other institutions such as Bahria University, International Islamic University Islamabad, Islamia College Peshawar, University of Lahore, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), University of Malakand, University of Management and Technology, University of the Punjab, Institute of Space Technology, and University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore earned spots in the 801-1000 range.
It is crucial to highlight that, although 49 Pakistani universities were recognized in the rankings, they were classified as "reporter" institutions. This designation signifies that they provided the requisite data but did not meet the eligibility criteria to secure a specific rank, reflecting the ongoing efforts and aspirations of Pakistani higher education institutions on the global stage.