In the recently released Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2024, Pakistan’s higher education sector faces a notable setback as none of its universities secured a position in the top 100. Out of the 88 Pakistani universities included in the ranking, only 41 were ranked by THE, while the remaining were listed under ‘reporter’ status.
The drop in rankings highlights the challenges faced by Pakistani universities in competing regionally. Quaid-e-Azam University, previously ranked 98th, has experienced a significant decline, now standing at 121st place. Following closely behind are NUST and COMSATS, securing ranks at 152 and 157, respectively.
Meanwhile, Japanese and Indian universities dominate the rankings this year, with Japan leading with 119 institutions and India closely following with 91. Mainland China boasts 33 universities in the top 100, while South Korea has 16.
Below is the list of the top 10 universities in THE Asia University Rankings 2024:
| Rank | University | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tsinghua University | China |
| 2 | Peking University | China |
| 3 | National University of Singapore | Singapore |
| 4 | Nanyang Technological University, Singapore | Singapore |
| 5 | The University of Tokyo | Japan |
| 6 | University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| 7 | Shanghai Jiao Tong University | China |
| 8 | Fudan University | China |
| 9 | Zhejiang University | China |
| 10 | The Chinese University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
With a total of 739 universities from 31 territories included in the ranking, the absence of Pakistani universities among the top performers underscores the urgent need for strategic reforms and investments in the country’s higher education sector. Enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistani universities is essential for fostering innovation, research, and academic excellence on both regional and global scales.
