Last year, MU was ranked among the top 500 universities in the world in the ARWU, or Shanghai Ranking, for the first time, and now it has achieved another historic breakthrough. In the latest edition of the international QS World University Rankings, it has taken 400th place. Year-on-year, Masaryk University has jumped more than 150 places. A total of 1,499 institutions are included in the rankings, with MU second only to Charles University in the Czech Republic.
“It is a huge success, and I can honestly say that I am both proud and touched. We have always wanted to be at least in the top 500 universities globally. That has been our goal for many years. So, to now be among the top 400 universities in the world is a great wish come true. Moreover, with such a significant year-on-year improvement, which no Czech university has achieved, this is a really great result. I would like to thank all of Masaryk University for this extraordinary achievement. It shows that the long-term and systematic work that I have been trying to promote throughout my term of office with an emphasis on quality, cooperation, and internationalization is bearing fruit,” said Rector Martin Bareš.
There are 1,499 institutions included in the QS World University Rankings this year, 77 more than last year. The set of indicators monitored has also been expanded. The current edition of the rankings now takes into account areas such as international research network, sustainability, and employment outcomes. Masaryk University scored significantly in these categories. In international research network, it ranks 276th, which acknowledges a long-term trend in the University’s publishing activities – the share of academic publications produced at Masaryk University in collaboration with foreign institutions is continuously increasing. In the category of sustainability, the University was ranked 207th. This new indicator includes an evaluation of the University's scientific contribution to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the embedding of sustainability issues in the MU Strategic Plan, the activities of the MUNI HELPS Volunteer Centre, sustainability principles applied in public procurement, the existence of ethics committees, the activities of student associations dealing with social issues, student representation in university bodies, teaching of environmental issues, and, last but not least, indicators reflecting energy and water consumption.
“The topic of sustainability has resonated at our school for many years. It is a priority topic for us, cross-cutting across our strategy, and therefore, from September, we will strengthen this area in terms of personnel with a new vice-rector within the University management team. She will be responsible for sustainability,” added Rector Bareš, who defended his mandate in the rector's election in April and is expected to head Masaryk University for the next four years.
In traditional ranking indicators, Masaryk University also achieved excellent results in the area of the share of international students, where it is ranked 215th in the world. The best year-on-year improvement among traditionally monitored parameters was achieved in the category of reputation among employers, which benefits from the responses of tens of thousands of employers across the world. Here, Masaryk University improved by 65 places compared to last year, now ranking at 305th place.
“I sometimes hear that our University is demanding. Yes, it is. But at the same time, it is an open and friendly institution whose highest mission is to provide quality education that should ultimately bring a competitive advantage and good employability to our graduates. And I believe these results only confirm this,” added Rector Bareš.