There is a growing threat to the dominance of traditionally elite universities in the ranks of the world’s best, indicates the sixth edition of the Times Higher Education (THE)-QS World University Rankings. The number of North American universities in the top 100 has fallen from 42 in 2008 to 36 in 2009, showing the growing presence of Asian and European institutions in the world higher education arena.
Of these, McGill was the highest ranked Canadian university. There are 39 European universities in the top 100, up from 36 in 2008. ETH Zurich is the top ranked continental European university at number 20.
The number of Asian universities in the top 100 rose from 14 to 16 institutions. The University of Tokyo, at No. 22, is the highest placed Asian university, ahead of the University of Hong Kong at No. 24. US and UK institutions, however, still dominate the top 10. Harvard remains numero uno.
Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings 2009 Some of the top universities