Short lived happiness for NTU?
Just a week ago, NTU beat NUS in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings coming in at 11th place whereas NUS had dropped three spots down to 15th.
However, it might be too early for NTU students to be rejoicing just yet. In the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings that was released today, NUS left NTU in the dust.
NUS reigns over NTU with the 27th spot in the rankings, a drop in one place compared to the previous year, whereas NTU remained status quo in the 81 to 90 band.
For the Times ranking, over 10,000 academics from a total of 137 countries were asked to rate institutions based on the criteria of research and teaching within their disciplines and at familiar institutions.
Times Higher Education rankings editor Phil Baty noted that NTU lagged behind NUS in terms of reputation, especially since it has only been established for 26 years as compared to NUS which turns 37 this year.
However, he said that: “As it (NTU) continues to build its research performance and gains global recognition, its prestige is likely to improve in future years.”
Judging Criteria Makes A World Of Difference
To get a clearer picture, the two rankings place emphasis on differing criteria and indicators, which resulted in a vast discrepancy in the results.
Where’s SMU?
In a survey done by NUS, NTU and SMU in February this year, graduates from SMU seem to have fared the best.
93.8 percent of them were employed within six months of their final exams. As for NUS and NTU, the figure lies at about 90 per cent.
SMU graduates were also paid the highest, earning a median gross monthly salary of $3,500. NUS graduates received $3,400, and those at NTU, $3,300.
Hence, it is up to you to follow the University ranking that has indicators which are of greater importance to you.
Best University City?
But the age-old rivalry aside, Times has ranked Singapore as the 4th in terms of the Best University Cities, alongside other cities such as New York and Stockholm. And at the end of the day, Singapore’s education system has gained much international recognition for being one of the world’s best, so let’s put our difference (or university rivalry) aside and be thankful. Go Singapore!
