Waikato uni bounds ahead in rankings
The University of Waikato has jumped up 42 places in this year’s global university rankings.
The Quacquarelli Symonds rankings, issued yesterday, placed the Hamilton university in 331st place out of the 1000 universities on the global list.
The rankings recognised the University of Waikato for its academic research – which drove the rise.
Vice-Chancellor professor Neil Quigley said he was proud that its ‘‘excellent and innovative research’’ had been recognised on the world stage.
‘‘There is no doubt that the last two years have presented all universities with unprecedented challenges, and while we are one of the smallest and youngest universities in the country, we are second to none when it comes to quality, innovation, and collaboration in research.’’
Quigley said ranking showed prospective students that when they studied, or did research, at the University of Waikato they were supported by some of the most respected academics in the world.
‘‘We are ranked with the best universities in the world. The fact that we have experienced a substantial rise in the rankings during such a difficult and an increasingly competitive environment is a great achievement.’’
International office director Sharon Calvert said the new ranking helped to attract students and staff, and build an international reputation.
It also helped the university find and establish partnerships with other, similar institutions.
‘‘It’s become more and more important over the last decade, as more people become mobile,’’ she said.
The score each university received was made up of a handful of factors – but the biggest, at 50% of its final score, was based on its reputation as reported by other academics and the employers of its graduates.
Research made up 20% of the score and looked at research citations – this was the number of times work from academic staff was cited around the world.
The University of Waikato came in at number one in New Zealand for citations per academic staff member. The number of staff per student ratio also impacted the university’s score, as well as the number of both international students and staff.