UNAIR NEWS – The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology has recognized UNAIR’s achievement in Top 500 of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings (WUR) by Subject. The recognition was officially announced during an award ceremony on Thursday, March 20, 2025, held in a hybrid format—both virtually via Zoom and in person at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemendikti Saintek). The event was attended by representatives from various universities across Indonesia.
During his address, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Brian Yuliarto, Ph.D., extended his congratulations to the universities that successfully earned a place in this year’s QS WUR Top 500 by Subject. He emphasized that this achievement highlights the increasing global recognition and academic excellence of Indonesian universities.
Collaboration and synergy
Prof. Yuliarto attributed this success to effective collaboration and synergy among universities, both public and private. “This milestone is the result of dedicated efforts by faculty, students, researchers, and academic staff who have worked tirelessly to foster an innovative learning and research environment,” he remarked.
He also expressed optimism that Indonesia’s higher education sector will continue to improve, attracting top talents from around the world. “We have research capabilities that rival those of international institutions. Our growing reputation can also encourage more investors, ultimately accelerating Indonesia’s knowledge-driven economic development,” he added.
UNAIR standing
This year, UNAIR has achieved an impressive milestone, with 16 academic disciplines are ranked in the QS WUR Top 500 by Subject. This accomplishment places UNAIR third among Indonesian universities, following Universitas Indonesia (UI) with 27 ranked subjects and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) with 26.
UNAIR Rector, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, MT, Ak, CA, expressed his gratitude for the recognition and extended appreciation to Kemendikti Saintek for acknowledging UNAIR’s efforts. “This is a truly gratifying achievement. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology has recognized our strategic initiatives and relentless dedication to enhancing UNAIR’s global reputation,” he stated.
Prof. Nasih credited UNAIR’s success to its commitment to academic excellence and producing industry-ready graduates. He emphasized the university’s ongoing efforts to ensure that its alumni remain highly competitive and aligned with evolving market demands. “This recognition reinforces public confidence in our academic quality. The industry has long acknowledged the outstanding caliber of our graduates,” he noted.
Advancing research with real-world impact
Beyond academic rankings, Prof. Nasih reaffirmed UNAIR’s dedication to strengthening its research capabilities, particularly in generating tangible benefits for society. “As part of our SMART initiative, our focus is not only on enhancing educational quality but also on ensuring that our research delivers real-world impact, both nationally and internationally,” he said.
While 16 disciplines have earned a place in the QS WUR Top 500, Prof. Nasih stressed that there is still room for progress. He acknowledged that certain fields require greater focus and research optimization to meet global standards. “We must recognize that some disciplines still lack sufficient research depth and impact. Continuous improvement is essential,” he emphasized.
To address these challenges, UNAIR remains steadfast in its mission to strengthen its global standing, ensuring that its academic programs and research output are on par with leading international universities.
Author: Yulia Rohmawati
