In the presence of Her Excellency Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Arab University Rankings, and head of the Social Affairs Sector at the League of Arab States, as well as Dr. Abdel Majid Benamara, Secretary-General of the Federation of Arab Research Councils, and Dr. Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary-General of the Association of Arab Universities, the results of the Arab University Rankings for 2024 were officially announced from the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo. Dr. Salama highlighted that the evaluation of Arab universities was conducted based on a comprehensive set of criteria encompassing academic and research performance, leadership, innovation, and international collaboration. This year’s ranking included 180 universities from 16 Arab countries, showcasing exceptional achievements in education, innovation, and scientific research.
The ranking aligns with the concerted efforts of the Association of Arab Universities, the League of Arab States, the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO), and the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils to provide reliable and transparent information for students, researchers, and academic staff. The ranking serves as a valuable resource for making informed decisions regarding academic institutions, while fostering a spirit of competition among universities. It also aims to inspire improvements in the quality of education, research, and community engagement.
Notably, 30 Arab universities achieved distinguished positions in this year’s rankings. Leading the list were institutions such as King Saud University, Cairo University, United Arab Emirates University, Ain Shams University, Sharjah University, King Khalid University, Mansoura University, Alexandria University, Zagazig University, and Tunis El Manar University. These top 10 universities exemplify a steadfast commitment to delivering high-quality education and advancing research and innovation in line with global standards.
The Association of Arab Universities underscored the significance of the rankings in showcasing the pivotal role of universities in societal development and their contributions to advancing progress through cutting-edge education and impactful scientific research.
Dr. Salama elaborated on the participation of universities in the 2024 Arab University Rankings, noting that the distribution was as follows: 48 universities from the Arab Republic of Egypt, 41 from the Republic of Iraq, 17 from the Republic of Yemen, 17 from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, 12 from the State of Libya, 10 from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 7 from the State of Palestine, 6 from the Republic of Algeria, 6 from the Republic of Tunisia, 5 from the United Arab Emirates, 4 from the Syrian Arab Republic, 2 from the Republic of Somalia, 2 from the Lebanese Republic, and one university each from the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Dr. Salama emphasised the distinguishing feature of the Arab University Rankings: the use of indicators specifically tailored to the societal context of the region. The methodology incorporated data collection, with 45% sourced directly from universities and 55% derived from the global platforms Scopus and SciVal. The evaluation was based on four primary axes and 36 performance indicators:
- Education and Learning: Constituting 30% of the total score.
- Scientific Research: Carrying a weight of 40%.
- Creativity, Leadership, and Innovation: Accounting for 15%.
- International and Local Cooperation and Community Service: Also valued at 15%.
Dr. Salama highlighted a remarkable 58% increase in the number of participating universities compared to the previous year’s rankings. He extended congratulations to all universities included in the rankings, particularly those securing top positions and those maintaining their outstanding performance. He commended the dedicated efforts of academics, administrators, and students in elevating the reputation of Arab higher education.
In conclusion, the Secretary-General expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this initiative, especially the Technical Analysis Committee, the Steering Committee for the Arab University Rankings, and the auxiliary and administrative staff. Their exemplary efforts ensured the timely release of the rankings. He concluded with best wishes for continued success and progress for Arab universities in the years ahead.
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