In a remarkable journey spanning centuries, the landscape of higher education has evolved dramatically since the establishment of the world’s first degree-awarding institution, the University of Bologna in 1088. This pioneering entity inspired the advent of other historic institutions, such as Oxford University, which began teaching within a decade and is now revered as the oldest university in the English-speaking world. The growth of these early universities was sometimes influenced by geopolitical factors, such as when Henry II of England banned English students from attending the University of Paris, leading to a surge in student numbers at Oxford.
Fast forward to the 17th century, and Harvard University emerged as a cornerstone of American higher education, predating Stanford University by nearly 250 years. These institutions grew and evolved without the modern conveniences of school websites, campus open days, or standardized admissions tests like the SAT, introduced in 1926.
The Emergence and Impact of University Rankings in the 21st Century
The 21st century marked a significant shift with the increasing popularity of university rankings. Times Higher Education (THE) and QS Quacquarelli Symonds collaborated in 2004 to publish the THE-QS World University Rankings. This initiative was followed by THE launching its own ranking system in partnership with Thomson Reuters in 2010, joining other major rankings like US News and ARWU Shanghai.
As of 2023, these rankings have gained immense influence, with Oxford University leading the THE World University Rankings for eight consecutive years, followed by academic powerhouses such as Stanford, MIT, Harvard, and the University of Cambridge. While the University of Bologna, the progenitor of modern universities, stands at 155th, the University of Paris, now fragmented into 13 universities, maintains its historical significance.
Global Participation and the Rise of New Educational Leaders
The recent trends in higher education indicate a “global leveling up,” as institutions from outside traditional powerhouses in the US and UK begin to make their mark. Asian universities, in particular, have shown a remarkable increase in participation, surpassing their European counterparts. The 2024 THE World University Rankings included 165 universities for the first time, demonstrating the expanding global footprint of higher education.
Among the notable entrants are Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology from South Korea and Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan, both achieving top rankings despite being relatively young institutions. Nazarbayev University, established in 2010 in Astana, has particularly distinguished itself by integrating research and teaching, a departure from the traditional separation of these disciplines in the region.
Focusing on the Future: Research, Collaboration, and AI
Nazarbayev University exemplifies the future direction of higher education with its focus on research excellence, student involvement in research projects, and collaborations with other institutions. It is also a member of the Asian Universities Alliance, working together with other leading universities to address regional and global challenges.
The university’s ambition extends to the realm of Artificial Intelligence, with its Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) poised to become a regional leader in AI research and innovation. This initiative aims to attract and retain local talent, contributing to the country’s technological development.
Building a Legacy for the Future
As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, universities like Nazarbayev are not only striving to climb the rankings but also to create lasting legacies that will stand the test of time, akin to their centuries-old predecessors.
This era marks a significant shift in the dynamics of global education, where emerging institutions are poised to make their mark on the world stage.
