Mae Fah Luang, Mahidol lead Thai universities in global rankings

Mae Fah Luang, Mahidol lead Thai universities in global rankings

Mae Fah Luang University was included in the World University Rankings issued by the Times Higher Education for the first time - and it came out on top in Thailand. (Photo from Mae Fah Luang University Facebook account)
Mae Fah Luang University was included in the World University Rankings issued by the Times Higher Education for the first time - and it came out on top in Thailand. (Photo from Mae Fah Luang University Facebook account)

New addition Mae Fah Luang University and Mahidol University topped Thai tertiary institutions in a global survey this year in which Singapore remained the reigning champion in Southeast Asia.

Mae Fah Luang and Mahidol were grouped in the 601-800 band in the latest global rankings by the Times Higher Education released on Thursday.

Mae Fah Luang in Chiang Rai province received high scores for research citations and its international outlook, while Mahidol performed best in graduates' income.

International outlook is defined as a university with international students, staff and teachers on the campus.

Chulalongkorn was the only one rated in the lower tier of the 801-1,000 group.

Thirteen more wrapped up the rest of the Thai universities in the 1,000 plus pack.

  • Suranaree University of Techonolgy
  • King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi
  • Chiang Mai University
  • Khon Kaen University
  • Prince of Songkla University
  • Silpakorn University
  • Naresuan University
  • Srinakharinwirot University
  • Thammasat University
  • Mahasarakham University
  • Kasetsart University
  • King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok
  • King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

"Thailand is once again the most-represented country in the Asean region, with 16 institutions," the Times said. The country had two more in the survey this year.

Mahidol University maintained its status as a leading university as it was in the 601-800 cohort last year.

The Times does not assign specific rankings for universities out of the top 200.

Although more Thai universities joined the rankings, higher education institutions in Thailand still trailed Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia.

National University of Singapore maintained the status as the best in Asean, staying at 25th in the world rankings and its compatriot, Nangyang Technology University, second at 48th.

The University of Malaya stayed third in the region in the group of 301-350 best, while the University of the Philippines and Universiti Brunei Darussalam of Brunei, another new entry from Southeast Asia, were put in the 401-500 group.

This year, seven Asean members had 43 universities in the rankings, up from 34 a year ago, with Brunei and Vietnam entering the list for the first time.

“These nations must continue to invest in higher education if they are to further improve both in terms of quantity and quality,” Ellie Bothwell, the rankings editor, said in a statement.

The University of Oxford remained the best for four consecutive years, followed by California Institute for Technology and the Cambridge University.

The best in Asia was Tsinghua University at 23rd and its rival Peking University one notch below.

The Times surveyed 1,300 universities in 92 countries.

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