Al-Amn Magazine

T Advanci ng towards g l oba l recogni t i on GCC uni vers i t i es make h i s tori c ranki ng gai ns i n 2025 EDUCATION he region’s focus on developing world- class institutions is not just about improving rankings but about building a knowledge-driven economy. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is witnessing a significant rise in global university rankings as regional institutions strengthen their academic standing. According to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2025, universities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman have climbed notably, reflecting strategic investments in education and research. University rankings strongly influence student selection of higher education institutions. Indices like QS World University Rankings serve as global benchmarks for policymakers and government officials, supporting decisions on resource allocation, educational policies and programs, and funding. Saudi Arabia leads the way A new Arthur D. Little (ADL) Viewpoint, ‘Enhancing University Rankings to Support Human Capital Development,’ analyzes the factors behind the transformation of higher education, revealing how GCC nations can leverage education reforms, research funding and international collaborations to advance their university rankings. The viewpoint outlines four key pillars that impact university rankings: Teaching quality, research effect, international outlook, and industry engagement. GCC countries have made significant progress in the past few years to enhance the rankings of their universities globally, in line with their respective national strategies. Saudi Arabia is on the verge of breaking into the global top 100 universities, with King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) surging 79 places to 101st globally. This progress aligns with Vision 2030, which targets placing at least two Saudi universities among the world’s top 100. Saudi Arabia is also strengthening faculty recruitment, research expansion and industry-academic partnerships