Asian universities are strengthening their positions in global rankings
Universities in China, Hong Kong, and South Korea have improved their rankings in the QS World University Rankings, while Singapore has maintained its strong position: two of its universities made it into the top 12. At the same time, the rise of Asian universities does not automatically mean a shift in students’ and parents’ perceptions of prestigious education, according to an op-ed in Channel NewsAsia.
According to the QS World University Rankings 2027, the proportion of international students has increased at universities in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea. In the U.S. and the U.K., this figure has declined compared to the previous year. The column attributes this to stricter restrictions on the admission of international students and visas that allow graduates to find employment after completing their studies.
Author Jun Yong notes that the names of Western universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology still hold symbolic significance for older generations that goes beyond ranking metrics. At the same time, in her view, Asian universities are gaining international recognition thanks to their strong academic programs, industry ties, and access to the region’s rapidly growing economies.
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Evelyn Tan, who spoke with the publication, said that when choosing a school, her daughter focused only on universities in the top 50 of the QS rankings, where Western institutions still dominate. The author believes that rankings can help families narrow down a long list of options, but they do not determine whether a specific program, the university environment, and campus culture will align with the student’s interests and plans.
The column suggests viewing the choice of a university as a collaborative process between parents and the young person. Parents can share their experiences, ask questions, and offer their own perspectives, while students should independently explore available options and take responsibility for their decisions.
