Trinity Remains in top 150 Global Universities in Times Higher Education University Rankings 2014-2015
Posted on: 03 October 2014
Trinity College Dublin continues to be ranked as the Number 1 University in Ireland and remains in the top 100-150 global universities in the just published Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2014-15. Its ranking in 138th place represents a slight decrease on last year’s position of 129th.
Trinity College’s overall score in the rankings went up this year, increasing its scores significantly in the two key areas of Research, and Teaching and Learning.
Even as its performance improves, Trinity is battling against intense international competition, particularly from Asian universities, the economic environment and continued reductions in government investment.
“Competition in the global knowledge economy is intensifying, and Ireland needs to invest and work hard strategically to stay competitive against the rising nations of East Asia,” commented the editor of Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Phil Baty, on the Irish situation and the overall worldwide trends in the THE rankings.
“There is much talk of a power shift from East to West, but these new world university rankings provide hard evidence of the phenomenon. There is little doubt that key East Asian nations have emerged as powerhouses in global higher education and research, while traditional leaders including the UK, Canada and the US, risk losing significant ground in the global knowledge economy.”
“The fact that Trinity College for successive years remains in the top 150 global universities and top 50 European universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings despite intense international competition is significant,” said Trinity’s Dean of Research, Professor Vinny Cahill.
“With new and far better funded universities in Asia-Pacific storming ahead, it’s no longer enough to slightly improve your score. Our universities are sliding because we can’t compete on funding. On a per academic basis, Trinity’s annual budget is 45 percent lower than that of the average top 200 university.”
“Against these challenges, it is to the credit of Trinity College’s dedicated teaching and research staff that the University continues to maintain its position in the world's top 100-150 universities in this ranking, and in the world's top 100 universities in the QS Ranking.”
“These high scores are coupled with Trinity’s highest ever ranking in the prestigious Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities Ranking last month.”
"Notwithstanding these combined achievements, increased investments made by our global competition, coupled with Ireland’s own challenging economic environment and reduced government investment continue to have a direct impact on the rankings. Unfortunately, improved scores no longer guarantee a higher ranking due to intense global competition. A world class university requires resourcing at internationally competitive levels and for Trinity to sustain its position and increase further worldwide requires adequate investment in the university sector."
“A decrease in the ranking for any of our Irish universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2014-15 is not good for Ireland. There have been decades of Irish universities performing well on tight budgets. In the recent economic downturn, we continued to do world-class research, to attract international staff and students, to partner with industry, and to deliver a strong education. However, this is a wake-up call for Ireland's higher education sector where more sustained investment is needed to drive societal and economic renewal,” concluded Trinity's Dean of Research, Professor Vinny Cahill.
Trinity was also ranked 71st place worldwide and in the top 25 in Europe in the recent QS World University Rankings 2014.