Top 100 Asia Pacific Universities

The ARWU 2007 ranking of Top 100 Asia Pacific Universities reflects the academic prowess and global recognition of institutions within the Asia Pacific region. This ranking, produced by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), also known as the Shanghai Rankings, evaluates universities based on a range of academic and research performance indicators. These indicators include research output, faculty quality, institutional reputation, and international recognition. As of 2007, the list highlights a dominant presence of Japanese, Australian, and Chinese institutions, with a number of universities from Israel and South Korea also making notable appearances.

At the very top of the rankings sits The University of Tokyo (Japan), recognized as the leading institution in the Asia Pacific region. Known for its rigorous academic standards, exceptional research facilities, and international collaborations, the University of Tokyo has long been a major force in shaping academic and technological advancements not just in Japan, but also globally. It stands out particularly in fields such as engineering, technology, and medicine, and it is well-regarded for its global research output and the significant number of international scholars it attracts.

Following closely in second place is the prestigious Kyoto University (Japan), which is renowned for its contributions to natural sciences, humanities, and engineering. Kyoto University has established itself as a powerhouse in scientific research, producing breakthroughs in areas ranging from biotechnology to environmental sciences. The university’s reputation for fostering a collaborative and intellectually rigorous environment contributes to its strong presence in global rankings.

In third place is The Australian National University (ANU), an institution that has consistently ranked as Australia’s top university, with an international reputation for excellence in research, particularly in the fields of political science, social sciences, physics, and mathematics. ANU’s strong academic community, along with its involvement in a variety of groundbreaking research projects, positions it as a global leader in higher education. It is well-regarded for its capacity to attract top-tier researchers and offer a diverse range of interdisciplinary programs that contribute to its competitive standing in the Asia Pacific region.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel), ranked fourth, is another standout institution in the Asia Pacific. Although geographically outside the Asia Pacific region, Israel is often included in such rankings due to its academic and research prominence. The Hebrew University is one of the leading research universities in Israel, renowned for its work in medicine, life sciences, and social sciences. Its extensive partnerships with institutions around the world make it a significant player on the international academic scene.

Osaka University (Japan), ranked fifth, is another key institution within Japan that has gained recognition for its excellence in research, particularly in engineering, technology, and medicine. The university’s close ties to local industries have made it a major hub for applied research, fostering advancements that have practical implications for both Japan and the broader global community.

The sixth to eighth positions in the rankings are held by Tohoku University, University of Melbourne, and Nagoya University, respectively. Tohoku University, based in Sendai, Japan, is known for its strong research output in engineering, materials science, and physics. The University of Melbourne, one of Australia’s top universities, consistently ranks highly for its research in the life sciences, arts, and business disciplines. Nagoya University, another Japanese institution, is particularly celebrated for its work in chemistry and engineering, contributing significantly to both national and international advancements in these fields.

In the next tier, ranked ninth and tenth, we have Tokyo Institute of Technology and several universities tied in the 10-18 rank range. The Tokyo Institute of Technology is renowned for its research and innovation in engineering and technology and plays a central role in Japan’s development of advanced technologies. The range from 10 to 18 includes a diverse mix of institutions such as Hokkaido University, National University of Singapore (NUS), and Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, each of which excels in various academic fields, from science and engineering to business and social sciences.

Among the universities ranked 19-24, institutions such as Kyushu University, National Taiwan University, and Seoul National University stand out as leaders in their respective countries and regions. These institutions are known for their excellence in a broad range of academic disciplines, contributing substantially to global research and academic innovation. Kyushu University in Japan, for instance, is known for its focus on engineering and life sciences, while National Taiwan University is a leader in environmental sciences and medical research.

The universities ranked 25-42 represent a diverse array of institutions that have consistently contributed to academic research and innovation across the Asia Pacific region. Institutions like Ben Gurion University (Israel), Chinese University of Hong Kong, Monash University (Australia), and Peking University (China) are major players in research and education in fields ranging from business and political science to engineering and medicine. These universities foster collaboration, produce influential research, and are known for their competitive programs that attract top international students and faculty members.

Moving into the lower ranks of the Asia Pacific 100, from 43-64, we find universities such as Bar Ilan University (Israel), Fudan University (China), Indian Institute of Science (India), and University of Otago (New Zealand). These institutions continue to make significant strides in advancing research, expanding their global reach, and strengthening their academic offerings. Flinders University (Australia), for example, has made notable progress in health sciences, while Indian Institute of Technology - Kharagpur is a key institution for engineering and technology in India.

Ranked 65-100, the universities listed represent a wide range of academic strengths and regional leadership in research and education. Institutions such as Chiba University (Japan), Shandong University (China), Pusan National University (South Korea), and University of Tasmania (Australia) offer a range of academic disciplines, from agriculture and engineering to social sciences and business. These universities contribute significantly to the academic, cultural, and economic development of their respective countries and regions, and many have increasingly expanded their global networks and partnerships.

The ARWU 2007 rankings of the Top 100 Asia Pacific Universities clearly demonstrate the region's strong academic and research capabilities, with Japan, Australia, China, and Israel leading the way. While Japan and Australia dominate the upper ranks, the influence of Chinese, South Korean, and Israeli universities continues to grow. These institutions are not only central to the development of their local economies and societies but also contribute significantly to global academic and scientific knowledge. The rankings highlight the competitive nature of higher education in the Asia Pacific, underscoring the region’s growing importance as a center for world-class research, innovation, and academic excellence.

Ranking of Top 100 Asia Pacific Universities:
Regional Rank, Institution, Country
1 Tokyo Univ Japan
2 Kyoto Univ Japan
3 Australian Natl Univ Australia
4 Hebrew Univ Jerusalem Israel
5 Osaka Univ Japan
6 Tohoku Univ Japan
7 Univ Melbourne Australia
8 Nagoya Univ Japan
9 Tokyo Inst Tech Japan
10-18 Hokkaido Uni Jap.
10-18 Natl Uni Singapore Singapore
10-18 Technion Israel Inst Tech Israel
10-18 Tel Aviv Univ Israel
10-18 Tsukuba Uni Jap.
10-18 Uni Queensland Australia
10-18 Uni Sydney Australia
10-18 Uni Western Australia Australia
10-18 Weizmann Inst Sci Israel
19-24 Kyushu U Jap.
19-24 Natl Taiwan U China-tw
19-24 Seoul Natl U South Korea
19-24 Tsinghua U China
19-24 U of Adelaide Australia
19-24 U of New South Wales Australia
25-42 Ben Gurion U Israel
25-42 Chinese U Hong Kong China-hk
25-42 City U Hong Kong China-hk
25-42 Hiroshima U Jap.
25-42 Hong Kong U Sci & Tech China-hk
25-42 Keio U Japan
25-42 Kobe U Japan
25-42 Korea Advanced Inst Sci & Tech South Korea
25-42 Macquarie U Australia
25-42 Monash U Australia
25-42 Nanjing U China
25-42 Peking U China
25-42 Shanghai Jiao Tong U China
25-42 U of Auckland New Zealand
25-42 U of Hong Kong China-hk
25-42 Univ Sci & Tech China China
25-42 Yonsei U South Korea
25-42 Zhejiang U China
43-64 Bar Ilan U Israel
43-64 Flinders U of South Australia Australia
43-64 Fudan U China
43-64 Indian Inst Sci India
43-64 Indian Inst Tech - Kharagpur India
43-64 Jilin U China
43-64 Kanazawa U Jap.
43-64 Korea U South Korea
43-64 Massey U New Zealand
43-64 Nanyang Tech U Singapore
43-64 Natl Cheng Kung U China-tw
43-64 Natl Chiao Tung U China-tw
43-64 Natl Tsing Hua U China-tw
43-64 Niigata U Japan
43-64 Okayama U Japan
43-64 Pohang U Sci & Tech South Korea
43-64 Sungkyunkwan U South Korea
43-64 Tokyo Med & Dental U Japan
43-64 U of Newcastle Australia
43-64 U of Otago New Zealand
43-64 Waseda U Jap.
43-64 Yamaguchi U Jap.
65-100 Chiba U Jap.
65-100 China Agr U China
65-100 Ehime U Japan
65-100 Gifu U Japan
65-100 Gunma U Japan
65-100 Hanyang U South Korea
65-100 Hong Kong Polytechnic U China-hk
65-100 James Cook U North Queensland Australia
65-100 Juntendo U Japan
65-100 Kagoshima U Japan
65-100 Kumamoto U Japan
65-100 La Trobe U Australia
65-100 Lanzhou U China
65-100 Murdoch U Australia
65-100 Nagasaki U Jap.
65-100 Nankai U China
65-100 Nara Inst Sci & Tech Japan
65-100 Natl Cent U China-tw
65-100 Natl Yang Ming U China-tw
65-100 Nihon U Jap.
65-100 Osaka City U Jap.
65-100 Osaka Prefecture U Jap.
65-100 Pusan Natl U South Korea
65-100 Shandong U China
65-100 Tianjin U China
65-100 Tokyo Metropolitan U Jap.
65-100 Tokyo U Agr & Tech Jap.
65-100 U Canterbury New Zealand
65-100 U Haifa Israel
65-100 U Istanbul Turkey
65-100 U New England Australia
65-100 U Tasmania Australia
65-100 U Tokushima Jap.
65-100 U Wollongong Australia
65-100 Victoria U Wellington New Zealand
65-100 Zhongshan U China

* Institutions within the same rank range are listed alphabetically.

Source: ARWU 2007