University of Jordan exits Times Higher Education Rankings

The University of Jordan Takes a Bold Stand for Academic Integrity In a remarkable and courageous move, the University of Jordan has officially withdrawn from the Times Higher Education (THE) World Rankings across all its branches. This decision echoes a growing sentiment in global academia — one that questions the transparency, fairness, and integrity of commercialized ranking systems. Just months ago, Sorbonne University took a similar step, expressing deep concerns about the same issues. Now, the University of Jordan joins this principled stance, refusing to compromise academic values for visibility metrics or paid participation schemes. The university’s statement is both clear and commendable: “We believe that introducing a paid subscription to participate in sustainability rankings creates a barrier to fair and transparent assessment.” This act is not a withdrawal from excellence — it is a return to authenticity. It’s a call for higher education institutions to reclaim their autonomy, prioritize substance over status, and resist the creeping commercialization of academic reputation. As universities worldwide navigate the tension between accountability and market-driven evaluations, such decisions remind us that real impact cannot be bought — it is earned through integrity, scholarship, and service. 👏 A salute to the University of Jordan for leading by example.

Middle East University Withdraws from Times Higher Education (THE) Regional and International Rankings. Middle East University (MEU) today announced its decision to formally withdraw from future participation and submission of data to the Times Higher Education (THE) regional and international rankings. This decision comes after careful consideration and reflects the University’s growing concerns about the lack of clarity and transparency in THE’s ranking methodologies. MEU joins a number of other Jordanian universities that have made a similar decision over the past 24 hours. While MEU strongly supports fair, evidence-based assessments of institutional performance, it believes that ranking systems must uphold the highest standards of methodological integrity, openness, and accountability. Recent changes in THE’s operational practices—most notably the decision to introduce participation fees for inclusion in the Impact Ranking—raise fundamental questions about the objectivity and framework underpinning the process. As a university committed to impact, quality, and continuous improvement, MEU will continue to benchmark its performance through transparent, data-driven measures aligned with international best practices and its own strategic priorities. The University remains open to collaborating with organizations that share its commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and genuine academic advancement.

Australia’s 2026 University Cap Update is Out! Exciting news for students — the total cap for 2026 has increased from 145,190 to 160,850, marking an 11% rise overall Top growth: Federation University Australia → +64% Charles Sturt University → +60% University of Newcastle → +28% Steady growth across universities shows Australia’s strong global demand and commitment to quality education. Data imported from: https://lnkd.in/gFzTWP2W https://lnkd.in/gekrbnAf #StudyInAustralia #CapAnnouncement2026 #InternationalStudents #AustralianUniversities #StudyAbroad

The University of Melbourne remains Australia’s highest-ranked institution, coming in 37th in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings report. The university rose to 37th place in the 2026 rankings, up from 39th last year and above the University of Sydney and Monash. The report said the University of Melbourne’s rise from last year was led by improvements in teaching reputation and research reputation. 📷: Getty Images Read the full story, including where other Australian universities placed in the rankings. 🔗👉 https://lnkd.in/gQiX87QN

HEC Issues Updated List of Recognised MS, MPhil & PhD Programs Across Pakistan The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has officially released an updated list of approved postgraduate programs — including MS, MPhil, and PhD disciplines — being offered by universities across the country. ✅ Students planning to apply for higher studies are strongly advised to cross-check the accreditation status of their chosen program before admission. ✅ Only HEC-recognised programs ensure degree validity for future employment, scholarships, and international equivalence. ✅ Universities offering unapproved or expired programs may face action, and students could risk wasting time and money. 🔎 The updated program list is now publicly available for verification on HEC’s official portal. --- Always verify before you enroll — recognition matters more than reputation. #HEC #HigherEducation #MS #MPhil #PhD #PakistanEducation #StudentsAlert #AcademicVerification #EducationPolicy #ResearchPrograms!

The HEC Pakistan (Higher Education Commission) has launched a new opportunity for Pakistani students to pursue PhD programs at top US universities under a fully-funded scholarship initiative. This program aims to promote advanced research, academic excellence, and international collaboration — empowering the next generation of scholars and innovators from Pakistan. Disclaimer: The information provided is for general awareness purposes only. Development Chronicles does not process, offer, or guarantee any scholarships. Applicants should verify details directly from HEC’s official website or authorized sources. #HEC #Scholarships #PhDPrograms #StudyAbroad #EducationNews #HigherEducation #Research #AcademicExcellence #PakistaniStudents #DevelopmentChronicles #GlobalLearning #EducationOpportunities #ScholarshipAlert #StudyInUSA

"British universities have slid down global rankings to a 10-year low, it has emerged. The UK has fewer than 50 universities inside the top 500 in the Times Higher Education (THE) world university rankings for the first time in a decade. The magazine claimed that there was a “widening gap” between the research of top British universities and the rest. It comes despite the University of Oxford retaining top spot in the rankings for a record 10th year in a row." #DeclineOfUKUniversities #BravoOxfordUniversity British universities slide down global rankings https://lnkd.in/gARmsKSj

Looking at alternative ways of measuring impact is vital if we are not to fall into the trap of using the flawed publication based metrics system. Katie Foxall's article in the Transforming Society blog identifies alternative questions we should use as we rethink success: https://lnkd.in/eCPgZnpC

"As an academic involved in higher education teaching, I believe that chasing the rankings can harm Africa’s fragile higher education system," says Professor Sioux McKenna. As more high-profile universities like the Sorbonne reject global rankings, these dubious companies are turning their attention to the Global South.

🚨 HEC Yet to Release University Rankings After a Decade For over 10 years, Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) has not published updated university rankings. Rankings play a critical role in: Showcasing institutional performance Guiding students and parents in decision-making Attracting international collaborations and funding Driving healthy competition among universities The absence of updated rankings raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and global competitiveness of Pakistan’s higher education sector. 👉 Should Pakistan reinstate a credible, transparent ranking system to benchmark progress and quality in higher education? #HigherEducation #Pakistan #HEC #UniversityRankings #EducationReform