Elevating Institutional Performance and Maximising Data Submission in ASEAN Universities with THE World University Rankings

By Muhammad Syukron Mamun, Mikaila Reggiana Sulaeman, Dk Arifah Zuwaida A’aliyah Binti Pg Mohd Ranul Yassin Hafli, AUN Interns

As higher education institutions (HEIs) strive to attract global talent and cultivate future leaders, a key strategy is securing position on international ranking bodies. High rankings not only enhance an institution’s reputation but also boost confidence among students applying for further studies. Universities must therefore leverage available resources to adhere to international academic standards, which in turn contributes to a dynamic and skilled academic environment. Effective data submission plays an essential role in this process because it serves as a significant measure of success and helps universities achieve their desired outcome on these rankings.

Universities in Southeast Asia are amongst some of the HEIs whose data submission process has shown impressive outcomes and over the past few years, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings have witnessed an increase in outstanding performances by universities in this region. Among these institutions were several universities across ASEAN, with top performers being institutions from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Considering this landscape, THE and AUN have co-organised the THE Masterclass 2024 Webinar Series, inviting experts to share tips and provide guidelines on how to maximise performance in the data submission process. This collaboration reinforces AUN’s mission to foster regional academic excellence, helping universities utilise data-driven strategies for sustained performance improvement.

The first webinar of this series, conducted on 19 September 2024, Ms. Julie Wilkens McMahon introduced participants to THE Impact Rankings, a ranking body that assesses universities’ commitment to sustainable development goals. As a Regional Director (APAC) and THE, Ms. McMahon showcased ASEAN Universities’ high interest in adhering to international standards of sustainability, resulting in their outstanding performances on the ranking body.

Following through on 17 October 2024 was a webinar on “Integrating THE Impact and World University Rankings for Global Excellence, Internationalisation and Reputation” led by Ms. Mei Mei Lim, Director of Consultancy at THE. Ms. Lim provided valuable insights on how universities in Southeast Asia can practise sustainability to maximise their presence in the rankings, thereby increasing global reputation.

The webinar series concluded on 13 November 2024, with Mr. Todd Hornal, Regional Director (APAC) at THE, introducing over 300 participants to THE World University Rankings. With his extensive experience in global rankings and data analysis, Mr. Hornal emphasised the significance of data quality in the ranking process and expressed THE’s commitment to helping universities understand and improve their global rankings.

Understanding the Ranking Methodology and Best Practices for Data Submission

Mr. Hornal started the session by emphasising the growing significance of global university rankings in institutional strategy. He explained THE World University Rankings’ role in assessing institutions across multiple indicators that reflect their impact on teaching, research, international outlook, and industry partnerships. Universities are now recognising the strategic benefits of rankings to enhance their global reputation, attract students, and secure research partnerships. With a comprehensive overview of THE’s ranking methodology, Mr. Hornal introduced participants to key metrics that institutions should pay close attention to:

• Teaching: Evaluated through student-staff ratios, PhD-to-Bachelor ratios, and institutional income.
• Research: Measured through indicators such as research income, productivity, and academic reputation.
• International Outlook: Includes metrics on international student and staff ratios as well as international collaboration.
• Industry Impact: Industry income assesses how institutions contribute to society through knowledge transfer.

To help institutions maximise their rankings potential, it was recommended that universities submit accurate, up-to-date data and leverage internal resources to ensure consistency. “A strong data submission process can significantly enhance an institution’s visibility in the rankings,” he explained, urging universities to nominate dedicated data providers and approvers to manage submissions.

ASEAN Universities’ Rising Influence and Institutional Reputation

Mr. Hornal highlighted the critical role of reputation surveys in the rankings. These surveys, now conducted in-house by THE, allow for broader representation and in-depth insights, drawing responses from over 55,000 academics worldwide. The survey results are now more robust, with increased representation, enabling a more balanced global perspective in reputation metrics.

The session provided a comprehensive overview of ASEAN universities’ performance in the THE World University Rankings, showcasing notable achievements across the region.  According to data on ASEAN’s performance, Singapore’s institutions led the way, with the National University of Singapore (NUS) ranking 17th globally and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) at 30th, highlighting the country’s strong academic reputation. In Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) reached the 201-250 range, representing a strong performance within Southeast Asia. Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University and Mahidol University ranked in the 601-800 band, while Vietnam’s University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) achieved a position in the 501-600 range, indicating significant progress and growing recognition in the global academic landscape.

A question posed during the Q&A session brought attention to citation impact. Since World University Rankings assesses research-intensive institutions, Mr. Hornal highlighted the need for a steady volume of publications to meet baseline ranking criteria. Several tips were offered including standardising institutional naming conventions and publishing English-language abstracts to expand international reach. The number of top research pieces citing an institution’s paper also reflect the quality of research.

As the webinar concluded, participants gained a clearer understanding of the steps they can take to improve their participation in THE World University Rankings. Mr. Hornal’s guidance on data quality, designated data providers, and early preparation provided institutions with practical strategies for optimising their rankings performance. He emphasised that consistent engagement with the rankings, through metrics analysis and reputation building, can support long-term improvements in institutional strategy and global standing.

Throughout the 3 webinars of THE Masterclass 2024 series, ASEAN institutions were introduced to THE’s methodologies and ranking metrics tailored to their unique contexts. By engaging with these tools, ASEAN universities gained insights into maximising strengths in areas such as research productivity, industry income, and international engagement—key indicators in THE’s expanded ranking methodology.

Institutions interested in preparing for the next round of THE World University Rankings data submission period can send inquiries to profilerankings@timeshighereducation.com