A new, broad-based international ranking of global universities has found Australian institutions are some of the world’s most productive, scoring 8th on the ranking.

 

Despite this, the ranking also found that Australian universities are still chronically under-resourced.

 

"This innovative approach to international rankings of higher education shows Australia at 8th place in the world for performance, but at 19th for the level of resources it receives," said Belinda Robinson, Chief Executive of Universities Australia.

In ranking performance the Universitas 21 report looked at 48 countries and territories across all regions of the world, comparing 20 different measures. The measures were grouped under four headings:

  • Resources: Investment by government and private sector (19th);
  • Output: Research and its impact, as well as the production of an educated workforce which meets labour market needs (7th);
  • Connectivity: International networks and collaboration (4th); and
  • Environment: Government policy and regulation, diversity and participation opportunities (7th).

 

"What this clearly reinforces is that Australian universities are highly productive and efficient, but investment levels are too low," Ms Robinson said.

"This comes as no surprise as report after report, including Government-commissioned reports including the Bradley review into higher education and the Lomax-Smith report into base funding, point to a significant under-investment in the university sector."

 

The full report can be found here