UPDATE (June 02, 2022):
The institutions for higher education in Pakistan are finally getting recognition in other parts of the world, all thanks to the latest Times Higher Education Asia Rankings that feature 42 Pakistani universities.
Published in the Times Higher Education magazine, the list for 2022 has ranked 21 universities in Pakistan while another 21 have received the status of “reporter.” Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad appears to have earned the title of the top university in Pakistan, with Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, and International Islamic University, Islamabad, following its lead.
Let’s look at the complete list of Pakistani universities that were included in the Times Higher Education Asia Rankings for 2022.
| University | Ranking |
| Quaid-i-Azam University | 116 |
| Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan | 149 |
| International Islamic University, Islamabad | 164 |
| Government College University Faisalabad | 166 |
| Hazara University Mansehra | 169 |
| University of Peshawar | 192 |
| COMSATS University Islamabad | 201-250 |
| Lahore University of Management Sciences | 201-250 |
| University of Malakand | 201-250 |
| University of Agriculture, Faisalabad | 251-300 |
| National University of Sciences and Technology | 251-300 |
| The Islamia University of Bahawalpur | 301-350 |
| University of Lahore | 301-350 |
| University of Punjab | 351-400 |
| University of Sargodha | 351-400 |
| Bahauddin Zakariya University | 401-500 |
| University of Engineering and Technology Lahore | 401-500 |
| PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi | 401-500 |
| University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore | 401-500 |
| Government College University Lahore | 501+ |
| University of Karachi | 501+ |
| Bahria University | Reporter |
| University of Balochistan | Reporter |
| Capital University of Science and Technology Islamabad | Reporter |
| Dawood University of Engineering and Technology | Reporter |
| Dow University of Health Sciences | Reporter |
| University of Education Lahore | Reporter |
| University of Faisalabad | Reporter |
| Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology | Reporter |
| Gomal University | Reporter |
| Government College Women University Faisalabad | Reporter |
| Government College Women University Sialkot | Reporter |
| Ilma University | Reporter |
| Jinnah Sindh Medical University | Reporter |
| Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology | Reporter |
| King Edward Medical University | Reporter |
| University of Management and Technology | Reporter |
| MNS University of Agriculture Multan | Reporter |
| NED University of Engineering and Technology | Reporter |
| Rawalpindi Medical University | Reporter |
| The Women University Multan | Reporter |
| Ziauddin University | Reporter |
Meanwhile, Tsinghua University, China; Peking University, China; and the National University of Singapore, Singapore, earned the top rankings on the list.
Please note the “reporter” status is reserved for universities that submitted data for the 2022 ranking but didn’t meet the tough eligibility criteria.
The Times Asia Higher Education Rankings for 2021 enlists 16 Pakistani universities, and Pakistani students could not be prouder and more joyous to be included in this dedicated list. Before we get to the details of which Pakistani educational institutions have been included in the list, let’s see what the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings for Asia are, and what they signify.
Times Higher Education Rankings
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings have been published in the Times Higher Education magazine annually, since 2004. This list is compiled on the basis of universities’ rankings, each year measured against 13 indicators, globally and then for continents.
According to the details provided on THE’s website, rankings are done primarily to understand the scope of their research. This is broadened to include five core mission areas of universities; teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.
These five realms dictate the 13 performance indicators, which are a part of five basic pillars encapsulating basic principles of institutions. The indicators are each weighted, depending on the region the institutions are located in. Thus, the weights assigned to institutions in Asia are different from those in other regions.
Let’s take a look at the process of categorization and see which universities from Pakistan have made the Times Higher Education Rankings Asia 2021.
Times Higher Education Rankings: Asia
For Asia, the weights assigned to each category for the year 2021 are as follows:
Indicator 1: Teaching (the learning environment): 25%
- Reputation survey 10%
- Staff-to-student ratio 4.5%
- Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio 2.25%
- Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio 6%
- Institutional income 2.25%
Indicator 2: Research (volume, income and reputation): 30%
- Reputation survey 15%
- Research income 7.5%
- Research productivity 7.5%
Indicator 3: Citations (research influence): 30%
Universities’ role in spreading new ideas and knowledge
Indicator 4: International outlook (staff, students, research): 7.5%
- International-to-domestic-student ratio 2.5%
- International-to-domestic-staff ratio 2.5%
- International collaboration 2.5%
Indicator 5: Industry income (knowledge transfer): 7.5%
Universities’ ability to aid industries with newer innovative methods.
With these indicators, the following Pakistani universities have scored the highest, and ultimately made it into the list of 66 top achievers, out of a total of 500 entries from 22 countries.
- Quaid-e-Azam University (Ranking in Asia: 100)
Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad is the leading institution in Pakistan. The Higher Education Commission listed it at the top of the General Category, and Times Higher Education rankings have specifically highlighted this university’s varied graduate and undergraduate programs, in addition to valuable research being produced each day.
THE notes that this university has produced one of the best academicians and experts such as Dr. Maliha Lodhi, former permanent UN Representative of Pakistan.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 18.4
- Research: 18
- Citations: 79.2
- Industry Income: 33.4
- International Outlook: 45.5
- Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan (Ranking in Asia: 124)
This is also a public university with 49 affiliated universities and 3 constituent colleges. THE notes that what particularly sets this university apart is its six faculties: faculty of agriculture, faculty of arts and humanities, faculty of business and economics, faculty of chemical and life sciences, faculty of physical and numerical sciences and faculty of social sciences.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Research: 9.2
- Teaching: 13.1
- Citations: 85.5
- Industry Income: 33.4
- International Outlook: 45.8
- Comsats, Islamabad (Ranking in Asia: 171)
Comsats is one of the eight institutions in different cities of Pakistan that have been developed by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the (Global) South. an inter-governmental organisation tasked with helping developing countries grow sustainably through science and technology Comsats, Islamabad. While almost all campuses offer courses in bioinformatics, business administration, earth sciences, and engineering; the Islamabad campus offers the largest variety of disciplines for prospective students.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 16.3
- Research: 11
- Citations: 65.1
- Industry Income: 33.6
- International Outlook: 46
- University of Peshawar (Ranking in Asia: 251-300)
This institution was founded in 1950 and is one of the oldest universities in the country. The University of Peshawar has six academic faculties, as well as 40 postgraduate departments and eight research centres, which specialise in social, medical and natural sciences. Moreover, a number of national organizations are also located within the premises of the university; these include the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, North Regional Laboratories, the Academy for Rural Development, the Pakistan Forest Research Institute and College, the University of Engineering and Technology, the Agricultural University, the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and the Khyber Teaching Hospital.
- University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Ranking in Asia: 251-300)
This university was established in 1906 to produce professionals who could contribute to regional agricultural development. The main aim of this institution is to promote lifelong learning, ensure food security, encourage sustainable farming, champion agrarian reforms and spread awareness among local communities about agrarian initiatives.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 23
- Research: 15.8
- Citations: 34.2
- Industry Income: 45.2
- International Outlook: 38.9
- Government College University, Faisalabad (Ranking in Asia: 251-300)
Starting from a high school, and then a college in 1933, Government College University Faisalabad went through different stages before being given the status of a university in 2002. It offers a wide variety of programs through its seven faculties that include arts and social sciences, economics and management sciences, engineering, Islamic and Oriental learning, life sciences, pharmaceutical sciences and physical sciences.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 14.3
- Research: 10.7
- Citations: 47
- Industry Income: 33.4
- International Outlook: 39.1
- Lahore University of Management Sciences (Ranking in Asia: 251-300)
Lahore University of Management Sciences or LUMS is a leading institute that offers a range of programs under five schools: Business, Humanities and Social Science, Science and Engineering, Law and Education.
THE notes that LUMS has carried out remarkable work on challenges regarding water, energy, policy, entrepreneurship and business in society while contributing to solving national and contemporary regional issues.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 22
- Research: 15.9
- Citations: 33.8
- Industry Income: 35.9
- International Outlook: 36.7
- National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad (Ranking in Asia: 251-300)
Initially designed as a science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) college, NUST has grown to become the leading institution for multidisciplinary research over the past decade. NUST campuses can easily be found in a number of cities across Pakistan, but the one in Islamabad campus is widely popular for its architecture, quality of education and skilled faculty.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 22
- Research: 13.3
- Citations: 38.4
- Industry Income: 35.8
- International Outlook: 31.4
- The University of The Punjab (Ranking in Asia: 301-350)
Situated in Lahore, the University of The Punjab is the oldest public university in Pakistan, and has over 83 departments, specializing in a range of disciplines. It has campuses in Gujranwala, Jhelum, and Khanspur as well but the main one in Lahore is particularly famous as its alumni include two Nobel Laureates.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 20.1
- Research: 11.2
- Citations: 34.8
- Industry Income: 34.2
- International Outlook: 33.8
- Bahauddin Zakariya University (Ranking in Asia: 401+)
The Bahauddin Zakariya University is one of the largest universities in Punjab, and currently has over 50 departments, colleges, and institutes affiliated with it. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, as well as doctoral programs and awards degrees in over 60 subjects. What is particularly noteworthy about this university is its agricultural program as it has a well-reputed Faculty of Agricultural Science and Technology, which has eight research laboratories.
Moreover, its Business and Economics programs are also particularly famous.
- University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Lahore (Ranking in Asia: 401+)
The University of Engineering and Technology Lahore was established in 1921 as Mughalpura Technical College, before being labelled UET in 1972. This university has five campuses in Punjab and is affiliated with over 23 research centres in the country and 42 institutes globally.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 16.4
- Research: 9.2
- Citations: 24.4
- Industry Income: 33.4
- International Outlook: 44.3
- Government College University Lahore (Ranking in Asia: 401+)
The revered Government College University (GCU) was established in 1864, but given the status of a university in 2002. The GCU has 29 academic departments which are divided into Engineering, Arts and Social sciences and Languages, Islamic and Oriental Learning, and Science and Technology. There are five research centres for Chinese Studies, Industrial Biotechnology, Sustainable Development, Advanced Physics and Mathematical Sciences.
The GCU is particularly famous for its School of Mathematical Studies (ASSMS) which has been named after Abdus Salam, one of GCU’s two Nobel laureates.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 17.7
- Research: 9.2
- Citations: 8.9
- Industry Income: 33.7
- International Outlook: 38.8
- The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (Ranking in Asia: 401+)
As the name suggests, this university was made for imparting Islamic education in 1925, however, was made an all-inclusive institute in 1975. Presently, this university has 45 departments, with courses offered across 74 different disciplines from business studies to veterinary studies as well. Apart from educational facilities, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur also has state-of-the-art sports and drama facilities.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 17.4
- Research: 10.9
- Citations: 23.3
- Industry Income: 33.4
- International Outlook: 38.0
- PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (Ranking in Asia: 401+)
This institute is primarily for imparting knowledge on agriculture, particularly for establishing scientific infrastructure for teaching and research for the development of dry land regions in Pakistan. It offers courses in four faculties: the faculty of crop and food sciences, the faculty of sciences, the faculty of forestry, range management and wildlife and the faculty of veterinary and animal sciences.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 14.8
- Research: 9.3
- Citations: 23.2
- Industry Income: 33.3
- International Outlook: 38.3
- University of Sargodha (Ranking in Asia: 401+)
The University of Sargodha was established in 1929 by the British but was later renamed to Government College and chartered as a university in 1929. Presently, the university has 24 educational departments, along with two institutes and one school. Moreover, it also has five constituent colleges that fall under its seven basic faculties; these include natural sciences, arts and humanities, medical and health sciences, social sciences, agriculture, pharmacy, and engineering and technology.
- The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore (Ranking in Asia: 401+)
The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences was established in Lahore in 1882 as a Veterinary School and was granted Punjabi Veterinary College status by the end of the 19th century, whereas it became a university in 2002.
Apart from research, this institute works to reduce poverty and produce trained labourers for livestock upkeep.
The five categories are ranked as:
- Teaching: 16.9
- Research: 11.4
- Citations: 14.8
- Industry Income: 58.7
- International Outlook: 43.6
These rankings have been helping students globally pick the best programs for themselves. If you are a student looking for the best educational programs, this blog will be your guide. Share your thoughts with us at blog@zameen.com. We’d love to hear your perspective on the subject.
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