UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again earned international recognition with significant gains in both the QS World University Rankings (QS WUR) and the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings in mid-2025. These achievements demonstrate UNAIR’s sustained commitment to advancing its global standing as a world-class academic institution.
Ranked 287th globally in QS WUR
In the 2026 QS WUR, UNAIR secured the 287th spot worldwide, a jump from its previous position of 308. Rector Prof. Dr. Muhammad Madyan, SE, M.Si., M.Fin. emphasized that this marks the university’s highest achievement since its participation in the QS ranking system began. “This is evidence that UNAIR has proven itself to be a resilient, adaptive, and globally competitive institution,” he stated.
The professor from the Faculty of Economics and Business acknowledged that reaching this milestone required tremendous effort. Continuous strategic planning and institutional development were central to the process. “Reaching the world’s top 300 was neither easy nor instant. This achievement reflects long-term strategies, collective collaboration, and the dedication and prayers of our entire academic community,” he said during a press conference on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the Amerta Room, UNAIR Management Building, MERR-C Campus.
He attributed part of UNAIR’s ranking progress to its substantial growth in research output. “In 2015, we had just 140 Scopus-indexed publications annually. Within five years, that number grew to 3,200 per year. This increase has directly contributed to academic excellence, including the rising number of our professors,” he added.
Prof. Madyan also highlighted the university’s ongoing commitment to academic quality, international collaboration, and the relevance of its graduates. He noted an outstanding achievement in the employer reputation indicator. “UNAIR has placed in the global top 100 for employer reputation, ranking 78th. This confirms that our graduates are regarded as competent, work-ready, and highly competitive in the global job market,” he said.
UNAIR climbs to 9th globally in THE Impact Rankings
UNAIR also posted an exceptional performance in the 2025 THE Impact Rankings. The university rose from 81st to 9th globally, securing the top spot in Southeast Asia, second in Asia, and first in Indonesia in this ranking.
Prof. Madyan explained that UNAIR excelled across several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In SDG 6, “Clean Water and Sanitation,” the university earned first place globally. It also ranked third in SDG 1, “No Poverty.” “These accomplishments highlight UNAIR’s real contribution to community service, local economic empowerment, and inclusive access to education,” he said.
The university also ranked fourth globally in SDG 5, “Gender Equality,” reflecting UNAIR’s commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equity. In SDG 17, “Partnerships for the Goals,” UNAIR placed 29th worldwide, showcasing its global collaborations to support sustainable development.
Prof. Madyan concluded by emphasizing that rankings should be viewed as reflections of a university’s internal progress, not as end goals. “Rankings are not the objective—they are a reflection of strong, consistent, and sustainable internal processes. Our true strength lies in our contribution to knowledge, humanity, and global civilization,” he affirmed.
Author: Febriana Putri Nur Aziizah, Khumairok Nurisofwatin, Yulia Rohmawati
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
