Universities are too complex to be characterised by one number

Emma Johnston, Univeristy of Sydney Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Rankings try to characterise a university with a single number but it's more complicated than that, explains University of Sydney Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Emma Johnston. One of the world's most prestigious university rankings, The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, have just been released, labelling almost 2000 universities from across the globe with a single number. While there is good news in the vast quantity of data in the new report there is no getting away from the fact that most Australian universities dropped in their ranking from the previous year and that gives us pause for thought. Are we losing our edge? The answer is as complex as the ranking methodology itself but there are a few clear take home messages that should make anyone who is invested in higher education in Australia stop in their tracks. First and foremost, the world is increasing its investment in research intensive universities - this year, about 160 new universities were ranked and 90 of those were universities in Asia, including 20 from India alone. Countries that want to boost their innovation and productivity know that the quickest and most efficient way to do that is to invest in higher education. This is welcome news for a world that needs our brightest working on solutions to some of the most wicked problems facing our world.