Five Thai campuses picked in top 100 universities in the world's emerging economies

The universities are King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT); Mahidol University; Chiang Mai University, Chulalongkorn University and the Prince of Songkla University. They were ranked 29th, 52nd, 82nd, 85th, and 89th respectively. 

Published by Times Higher Education, the ranking of |universities in 22 emerging economies offers analysis of higher |educational institutes from Brazil, to Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRIC). Thailand and Malaysia also feature in the rankings, as do an additional 17 emerging nations. 

The ranking is based on the tried and tested range of 13 rigorous performance indicators used to create the world rankings, which cover all aspects of the modern university’s core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

Phil Baty, editor of the Times Higher Education Rankings, believes the rankings for the five Thai universities is a positive step in boosting the country’s image as a place to learn.

“There are signs of further progress as the government recognises the importance of globally competitive universities on economic development. Strong state backing for major international scholarship schemes, the development of new research and innovation agencies, and strengthening business support for research in the country are positive steps. It seems clear that Thailand is on an upward trajectory,” he commented on the release of this new ranking

In the world’s university rankings 2013-2014, only one Thai |university was ranked in the 350 top institutes. KMUTT sits in the 301-350 band. The four other Thai universities are not in the world’s |university ranking. 

In the ranking for emerging economies, KMUTT has been Southeast Asia’s best ranked higher-educational institute. Thailand also fares well when compared with developing countries in the same region.

Only two Malaysian institutes have made it into the top 100 |destinations. Malaysia’s National University of Malaysia takes the 77th spot and its Putra University is ranked 95. Although Indonesia is recognised as an emerging economy, none of its higher-educational institutes have made it to the inaugural ranking. 

Of all the emerging economies, China boasts the best |achievements in higher-education quality if this ranking is used as the main indicator. 

China’s universities have taken the top two places, four of the top 10 and 23 of the top 100. Peking University is named the number one institution. 

For more information on this ranking, visit: www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/