QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education experts, released the 10th edition of the QS World University Rankings: Arab Region 2024.
Evaluating institutions based on global recognition, research prowess, teaching resources and internationalization, this year’s ranking is the largest ever, showcasing 223 institutions from 18 Arabic countries.
According to the ranking, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals now tops the list as the premier university in the region, moving up from its third-place ranking last year.
King Saud University secured the second position, while Qatar University ranked third.
King Abdulaziz University, which held the top spot last year, dropped to fifth place after four consecutive years in first place.
Egypt has 36 universities listed, followed by Saudi Arabia with 34, and Iraq with 24.
QS Senior Vice President Ben Sowter noted the Arab Region's growing academic reputation and emphasized the increased competition in higher education.
This year’s ranking includes a higher number of Arab universities than ever before, reflecting intense competition in the region to excel in higher education and offer more specialized and comprehensive fields, revealed Sowter.
This enables future students, faculty members, and policymakers to make data-backed decisions and measure the extent of success, he added.
In the list provided by the institution for the top 20 universities, the American University of Beirut secured the fourth position for this year, moving up from its fifth-place ranking last year.
The United Arab Emirates University maintained its sixth position, as did Khalifa University of Science and Technology, which held the seventh position.
Meanwhile, the American University in Sharjah climbed to the eighth ranking from its previous ninth place.
The University of Jordan held the ninth position, having been tenth before, while Sultan Qaboos University ranked tenth, down from its eighth position.
Saudi Arabia excels with two top universities, driven by its research and international reputation.
Egypt also shines for research quality, with more universities in the region's top 100 for Citations per Paper than any other country and Cairo University standing out for its academic reputation.
Baghdad's University is Iraq's best, thanks to its international ties. Jordan boasts a diverse student base, with more universities in the top 100 for International Students than any other country.
The UAE’s universities shine in internationalization, with significant improvements in rankings.
Morocco leads in staff expertise, with Université Sultan Moulay Slimane standing out.