Rankings of universities in Pakistan explained

This article presents an overview of university rankings in Pakistan. Within Pakistan, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) provides official rankings of higher education institutions (HEIs) nationally, based on a multitude of criteria.[1] There are also various magazines, newspapers and international agencies/standards which provide rankings and analysis.

According to the 2015 HEI rankings released by the HEC, the top six universities in Pakistan are, in descending order: [MUST Mirpur University of Sciences and Technology], University of the Punjab (PU), Quaid-i-Azam University, University of Agriculture in Faisalabad (UAF) and Aga Khan University (AKU).[2]

As of 2022, total 6 universities were ranked in top 1000 by QS World University Rankings: NUST (#334), Quaid-i-Azam University (#378), PIEAS (#398), LUMS (#651), University of The Punjab (#701) and UET, Lahore (#801), .[3] In rankings for 2023, the number increased to 7, with the addition of University of Peshawar (#801).[4]

National

Up to date, the HEC has published rankings for the years 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014 and most recently 2015.[5] In addition to the top ten and general rankings, independent rankings are also provided for universities and institutes in the categories of agriculture and veterinary science; arts and design; business; engineering and technology; and medicine.[5] The HEC ranking uses five criteria, all of which have specific weightings and are summed to give an aggregate score out of 100. Institutional rankings are determined based on this aggregate score. Each criterion and its weighting is dependent upon a set of sub-components. The five criteria, along with their weighted score and sub-components are summarized below:

Top ten rankings

According to the 2023 HEC rankings, the following comprise the overall top ranking higher education institutions in the country.[5]

Ranking University Score
1 Quaid e Azam University IslamabadL
2 University of The Punjab95.01 -3 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology79.40
4 National University of Science and Technology66.78
5 Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences74.88
6 Lahore University of Management Sciences60.69
7 68.00
8 Institute of Business Administration (IBA)70.09
9 Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan66.78

Agriculture and veterinary science

Ranking University Score
1 University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences iqra university is number 1 university in pakistan99
2 62.85
3 46.90
4 42.65

Arts and design

Ranking University Score
10 100.00
2 82.53

Business

According to the 2022 HEC rankings, the following comprise the top ranking business schools in the country.[5]

Ranking University Score
1 Institute of Business Administration, Karachi100.00
2 Lahore University of Management Sciences98.70
3 96.00
4 Institute of Management Sciences (Peshawar)80.32
5 Sukkur Institute of Business Administration75.83
6 Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology75.70
7 The Superior College. 0.30
8 Lahore School of Economics72.91
9 University of Central Punjab67.34
10 Greenwich University58.75
11 GIFT University54.66
12 COMMECS Institute of Business and Emerging Sciences41.79
13 22.16
14 Institute of Management Sciences (Lahore)25.39
15 Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education7.54

Computer Sciences (CS), Engineering and Information Technology (IT)

Rankings for Computer science and information technology Institutes are updated as of 2022.

Ranking University
1 National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NUCES)
2
3
4 National University of Sciences and Technology
5 University of the Punjab
6
7 Information Technology University
8 University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
9 Air University, Islamabad
10 Quaid-e-Azam University

Engineering and technology

According to the 2022 HEC rankings, the following comprise the top ranking engineering universities in the country.[5]

Ranking University Score
1 National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST)100.00
2 Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology96.67
3 75.34
4 72.46
5 63.97
6 58.88
7 57.74
8 57.22
9 55.32
10 52.30
11 51.06
12 48.60
13 45.78
14 45.08
15 45.01
16 43.96
17 43.91
18 43.39
19 42.48

Medicine

According to the 2022 HEC rankings, the following comprise the top ranking medical schools in the country.[5]

Ranking University Score
1 100.00
2 83.54
3 64.53
4 61.62
5 57.28
6 53.62
7 51.99
8 50.56
9 43.64
10 41.58
11 37.03
12 36.45
13 32.25

General rankings

Ranking University Score
1 National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (NUCES)100.00
2 National University of Sciences & Technology 100.00
3 Institute of Business Administration, Karachi79.480
4 Lahore Women University 71.424
5 63.539
6 60.694
7 NUST(National University of science and Technology)60.348
8 Karachi School of Business and Leadership 50.054
9 59.350
10 58.878
11 57.836
12 55.519
13 55.390
14 54.293
15 53.802
16 52.694
17 52.362
18 52.361
19 52.284
20 50.853
21 50.534
22 50.117
23
24 49.620
25 49.607
26 49.570
27 49.506
28 48.195
29 47.970
30 47.887
31 47.517
32 47.448
33 47.344
34 46.645
35 46.083
36 45.804
37 45.688
38 45.494
39 44.955
40 43.595
41 43.582
42 43.006
43 42.177
44 41.443
45 41.173
46 41.126
47 39.563
48 39.388
49 39.190
50 39.136
51 38.596
52 38.487
53 37.756
54 37.745
55 36.774
56 36.488
57 35.747
58 Ali Institute of Education 35.052
59 59.662
60 33.558
61 33.503
62 32.749
63 31.723
64 30.427
3 Quaid e Azam University85.98
66 29.051
67 28.817
68 25.305
69 24.667
70 22.201
71 21.469
72 Preston Institute of Management Science and Technology19.447
73 12.436

Notes:

International rankings

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)

The QS World University Rankings is one of the most widely referenced international ranking systems. Pakistan is ranked 50th globally in terms of its higher education system's strength.[8] Following is the list of 13 Universities which appeared in 2022 - 2023 edition of QS World University Rankings:[9]

National ranking World ranking Asia ranking (2022)[10] Subject ranking/s (world) (2016) University Province
1 334 74 Computer science and information systems: 251–300; Electrical and electronic engineering: 301–350; Engineering and technology: 340 Islamabad
2363 91 Computer science and information systems: 201–250; Mathematics: 225–250; Physics and astronomy: 2251–250[11] Islamabad
3390 189 Islamabad
4601116 Business and management studies: 251–300; Computer science and information systems: 401–450[12] Punjab
5 801 – 1000 145 Punjab
6 801 – 1000 183 Electrical and electronic engineering: 251–300[13] Punjab
7 801 – 1000 197 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
8 1001 – 1200 137 Computer science and information systems: 401–500 Virtual University of Pakistan
9 1001 – 1200 214 Agriculture and forestry: 51–100[14] Punjab
10 1001 – 1200 301 – 350 Punjab
11 1201 – 1400 245 Sindh
12 1201 – 1400301 – 350 Punjab
13 1201 – 1400 301 – 350 Islamabad
183 Medicine: 301–400[15] Sindh

Research Papers in Economics/IDEAS

Research Papers in Economics (RePEc) ranks the top 25% institutions and schools/faculties in the field of economics research, using its IDEAS database. The database takes a number of factors into account, such as item citations, journals and working papers, authorship and field-based ranks. The database rankings are updated on a monthly basis. Provided below are the most recent country rankings for Pakistan:

Ranking University School or department
1 Department of Econometrics and Statistics
2 Department of Management Sciences
4 Department of Computer Sciences
5 School of Economics
6
7 School of Economic Sciences
8 International Institute of Islamic Economics
9 Applied Economics Research Centre
10 Department of Economics
11 Department of Economics
12 Research Centre
13 NUST Business School
14 Department of Economics
16 Department of Economics

Notes:

Round University Ranking

The Round University Ranking, compiled by the RUR Ranking Agency in Russia in partnership with Thomson Reuters, ranks the top 750 universities based on standards of teaching, research, international diversity and financial sustainability. The following Pakistani universities are listed in the 2016 rankings:

Ranking World ranking University Score League Dimensional rankings (world)
1 610 31.205 World League Teaching: 482 (Copper League); Research: 639 (World League); International diversity: 427 (Copper League); Financial sustainability: 652 (World League)[16]
2 627 29.520 World League Teaching: 515 (World League); Research: 635 (World League); International diversity: 466 (Copper League); Financial sustainability: 673 (World League)[17]

SCImago Institutions Rankings

The SCImago Institutions Rankings (SIR) are published by the SCImago Research Group, a Spanish academic research organisation. The rankings measure universities using indicators such as research, innovation and web visibility. Included below are the 19 Pakistani universities listed in these rankings and their positions in terms of the latter two indicators (as of 2014).

Innovative Knowledge University Technological Impact University Website University Inbound Links University
1 1 1 1 Islamia University
2 2 2 2 Aga Khan University
3 3 3 3 University of the Punjab
4 4 4 4 Federal Urdu University
5 5 5 5 Bahauddin Zakariya University
6 6 6 6 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
7 7 7 7 University of Peshawar
8 8 8 8 Quaid-i-Azam University
9 9 9 9 University of Engineering and Technology (Lahore)
10 10 10 10 University of Karachi
11 11 11 11 University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
12 12 12 12 International Islamic University
13 13 13 13 Government College University (Faisalabad)
14 14 14 14 Government College University (Lahore)
15 15 15 15 National University of Sciences and Technology
16 16 16 16 University of Sindh
17 17 17 17 University of Sargodha
18 18 18 18 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad)
19 19 19 19 Dow University of Health Sciences

Notes:

Times Higher Education

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is a prominent publication of university rankings, released by the UK-based Times Higher Education magazine. It includes overall, subject and reputation-wise rankings, 150 Under 50 rankings, as well as two regional rankings: Asia, and BRICS and Emerging Economies. In the 2015–2016 edition, the following ranks were applicable to Pakistani universities:

Ranking World ranking Asia ranking BRICS & Emerging Economies ranking 150 Under 50 ranking University
1 601–800 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
2 601–800 121–130 132 101–150 National University of Sciences and Technology
3 601–800 101–110 107 Quaid-i-Azam University
4 801 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad)
5 801 Bahauddin Zakariya University
6 801 National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences
7 801 University of Lahore

Notes:

UI GreenMetric Ranking

The GreenMetric Ranking of World Universities is published by Universitas Indonesia (UI). It ranks over 400 world universities according to their eco-friendly environment and commitment to sustainability. Three instruments are used as the basis of the ranking criteria: Environment, Economics and Equity.[18] The 2015 edition includes the following overall and indicator-specific world rankings for Pakistani universities:

Ranking University Overall ranking Setting & infrastructure Energy & climate change Waste Water Transportation Education Campus setting
1 128 92 165 322 148 56 34 Urban: 57
2 220 253 327 291 101 201 95 Urban: 110
3 270 154 270 356 394 92 204 Urban: 138
4 355 60 339 397 291 262 336 Urban: 189
5 392 293 382 406 282 287 226 City Center/High Rise: 53

U-Multirank

U-Multirank is an independent ranking system funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus Programme. The ranking is supported by a consortium of academics in Europe. It provides multi-dimensional listings for universities, in terms of academic fields as well as various education-specific indicators. Universities are rated against these indicators using a grading system, ranging from 'A' (very good) to 'E' (weak). The 2016 rankings include the following Pakistani universities along with their grades:

Rank University Teaching & learning Research Knowledge transfer International orientation Regional engagement
1 Bachelors graduation rate: A; Masters graduation rate: A; Graduating on time (bachelor): A; Graduating on time (masters): A Citation rate: D; Research publications: A; External research income: A Co-publications with industrial partners: D; Private income: D; Patents: E; Publications cited in patents: E International joint publications: D Bachelor graduates working in region: D; Regional joint publications: B; Regional income sources: E
2 Graduating on time (bachelor): A; Graduating on time (masters): A
3 Bachelors graduation rate: B; Masters graduation rate: C; Graduating on time (bachelor): B; Graduating on time (masters): C Citation rate: D; Research publications: D; External research income: D Co-publications with industrial partners: B; Private income: D; Patents: E; Publications cited in patents: E Student mobility: D; International joint publications: A Bachelor graduates working in region: B; Regional joint publications: B; Regional income sources: B

Notes:

University Ranking by Academic Performance

The University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), developed at the Middle East Technical University in Turkey, ranks the top 2,000 global institutions with an emphasis on research impact and quality, and scientific productivity. It uses indicators such as articles published, citations, total documents, article and citation impact, and international collaboration. The 2015–2016 edition provides the following national, international and regional rankings along with field-based ranks (as of 2014–2015) for Pakistani universities:

Ranking World ranking Asia ranking University Field-based ranking/s (world)
1 315 9 Biological sciences: 772; Chemical sciences: 661; Engineering: 588; Mathematical sciences: 189; Medical and health sciences: 949; Physical sciences: 305; Information and computing sciences: 201
2 967 259 Chemical sciences: 872; Engineering: 669; Information and computing sciences: 577; Mathematical sciences: 499; Physical sciences: 699
3 973 263 Agricultural and veterinary sciences: 167; Biological sciences: 625; Engineering: 1,015; Environmental sciences: 400
4 1,040 292 Biological sciences: 651; Engineering: 1,139; Mathematical sciences: 656; Medical and health sciences: 986; Physical sciences: 692
5 1,059 295 Medical and health sciences: 513
6 1,101 309 Engineering: 933; Mathematical sciences: 487; Physical sciences: 761
7 1,261 375 Biological sciences: 777; Chemical sciences: 688; Medical and health sciences: 878
8 1,343 407 Engineering: 1,224
9 1,403 435 Biological sciences: 995; Engineering: 1,061; Physical sciences: 932
10 1,475 464
11 1,558 503
12 1,581 512 Mathematical sciences: 871
13 1,646 533
14 1,701 561
15 1,752 577
16 1,890 641
18 1,937 661
19 1,968 670
20 1,975 673

Notes:

U.S. News & World Report

In the 2015 edition of top 500 international rankings, the U.S. News & World Report Best Global University Rankings listed the following Pakistani university:[19] [20]

Webometrics

The Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, published by the Spanish Cybermetrics Lab, provides a listing of national, regional and international rankings of universities in Pakistan based on their web presence. Shown below, as per the 2016 edition, are the top 20 rankings only:

Ranking World ranking Asia ranking South Asia ranking University
1 1,801 509 24 University of the Punjab
2 1,818 518 27 National University of Sciences and Technology
3 1,866 533 30 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
4 1,908 548 33 Aga Khan University
5 2,034 597 37 Quaid-i-Azam University
6 2,046 599 38 Islamia University
7 2,229 681 49 Lahore University of Management Sciences
8 2,437 767 59 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad)
9 2,630 843 73 International Islamic University
10 2,638 846 75 Allama Iqbal Open University
11 2,834 924 89 University of Engineering and Technology (Lahore)
12 2,989 979 102 Bahauddin Zakariya University
13 3,074 1,014 110 University of Karachi
14 3,233 1,074 117 Government College University (Lahore)
15 3,337 1,110 123 University of Peshawar
16 3,417 1,134 128 University of Sindh
17 3,459 1,147 131 National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences
18 3,883 1,309 166 NED University of Engineering and Technology
19 3,964 1,330 173 Government College University (Faisalabad)
20 4,113 1,385 183 Gomal University

uniRank

uniRank, formerly 4 International Colleges and Universities (4icu.org), ranks universities and colleges country-wise based on their web popularity and online footprint. It is not an academic ranking.[21] According to its website, uniRank uses an algorithm including web metrics from Moz Domain Authority, Alexa Global Rank, SimilarWeb Global Rank, Majestic Referring Domains and Majestic Trust Flow.[21] The top 10 results in Pakistan include the following universities:

Ranking University
1 Quaid-i-Azam University
2 University of the Punjab
3 Aga Khan University
4 Lahore University of Management Sciences
5 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
6 National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences
7 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad)
8 Bahauddin Zakariya University
9 University of Management and Technology
10 University of Gujrat

Analysis and criticism

The HEC acknowledges that rankings are "a debatable subject all over the world".[5] It defines its ranking system as a measure to strengthen the quality of higher education, provide a tool for self-assessment, as well as ensure that universities achieve domestic and international competitiveness in education, innovation and research.[5] However, the HEC's rankings have been subject to criticism among educationists and policy-making experts in Pakistan. Some critics claim the rankings give "more weight to quantity than quality" of research, faculty and other key factors.[22] [23] [24]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ranking Criteria and Weights. Higher Education Commission. 6 March 2012. 13 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160329045357/http://www.hec.gov.pk/INSIDEHEC/DIVISIONS/QALI/OTHERS/RANKINGOFUNIVERSITIES/Pages/RankingMethodology.aspx. 2016-03-29. dead.
  2. News: Here's how 6 Pakistani universities ranked worldwide. The Express Tribune. 16 September 2015. 13 July 2016.
  3. Web site: Top Universities QS World University Rankings 2022. 2022-10-21 .
  4. Web site: Top Universities QS World University Rankings 2023. 2022-10-22 .
  5. Web site: 5th Ranking of Pakistani Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Higher Education Commission. 23 February 2016. 13 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323093014/http://hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/QALI/Others/RankingofUniversities/Documents/Ranking_Doc.pdf. 2016-03-23.
  6. Web site: Quality Enhancement Cells. 19 February 2013. 13 July 2016. Higher Education Commission. https://web.archive.org/web/20160604125611/http://www.hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/QALI/QualityAssuranceAgency/Pages/QualityEnhancementCells.aspx. 2016-06-04. dead.
  7. Web site: Offices of Research, Innovation & Comercialization (ORICs). Higher Education Commission. 19 March 2014. 13 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160404210226/http://www.hec.gov.pk/InsideHEC/Divisions/RND/IP/ORI/Pages/WelcomeORIC.aspx. 2016-04-04. dead.
  8. Web site: QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings 2016. QS World University Rankings. 13 July 2016.
  9. Web site: Top Universities QS World University Rankings 2023. 2022-10-22 .
  10. Web site: QS Asia University Rankings 2022. 2022-10-22 .
  11. Web site: Quaid-i-Azam University. QS World University Rankings. 2015. 13 July 2016.
  12. Web site: Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). QS World University Rankings. 2015. 13 July 2016.
  13. Web site: University of Engineering and Technology (UET). QS World University Rankings. 2015. 13 July 2016.
  14. Web site: University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. QS World University Rankings. 2015. 13 July 2016.
  15. Web site: Aga Khan University. QS World University Rankings. 2015. 13 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160621042527/http://www.topuniversities.com/universities/aga-khan-university-0. 2016-06-21. dead.
  16. Web site: National University of Sciences and Technology. Round University Ranking. 2016. 13 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160821235259/http://roundranking.com/universities.html?univ=National+University+of+Sciences+and+Technology&back=%2Franking.html&sort=O&year=2016&subject=SO. 2016-08-21. dead.
  17. Web site: NED University of Engineering and Technology. Round University Ranking. 2016. 13 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160822004316/http://roundranking.com/universities.html?univ=NED+University+of+Engineering+and+Technology&back=%2Franking.html&sort=O&year=2016&subject=SO. 2016-08-22. dead.
  18. Web site: Methodology. GreenMetric Ranking UI. 13 July 2016.
  19. News: Quaid-i-Azam University ranked among 500 Best Global Universities. Dawn. 22 November 2014. 13 July 2016.
  20. News: U.S. News global Top 500 universities. https://archive.today/20160401021613/https://www.washingtonpost.com/apps/g/page/local/us-news-global-top-500-universities/1409/. dead. 2016-04-01. Washington Post. 2015. 13 July 2016.
  21. Web site: About. 4 International Colleges and Universities. 13 July 2016.
  22. News: Experts find flaws with HEC's varsity ranking. Abbasi. Kashif. 28 February 2016. Dawn. 13 July 2016.
  23. News: HEC's rankings. Khawaja. Idrees. 3 March 2016. Dawn. 13 July 2016.
  24. News: The HEC should never rank Pakistan's universities. Haider. Murtaza. 27 May 2015. Dawn. 13 July 2016.