Why Imperial Surpassed Oxford and Cambridge in QS Rankings
In the 2025 and 2026 QS World University Rankings, Imperial College London ranked No. 2 globally and No. 1 in the UK for two consecutive years, second only to Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Yet before this dramatic rise, the university had long remained around 6th place globally, behind both University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. Why has Imperial surpassed Oxford and Cambridge in recent years to become the UK’s top-ranked university in QS? The answer may lie in the university’s own transformation. “Science for Humanity” Strategy Drives Research ExcellenceSince its founding in 1907, the philosophy of “to be useful” has been deeply embedded in Imperial’s identity. The university’s mission is to “achieve enduring excellence in research and education in science, technology, engineering, medicine and business for the benefit of society.” However, as President Professor Hugh Brady has noted, today “being useful” means “delivering global impact through research and innovation, and shaping the next generation of leaders and change-makers.” In March 2024, leveraging its strong foundations in STEMB disciplines, Imperial launched an ambitious strategy titled “Science for Humanity.” Through three core aims — enabling talent, powering research, and amplifying impact — the university aims to shape an entirely new future. Coincidentally, in 2023 QS introduced the largest methodological overhaul in its history, adding three new indicators: Employment Outcomes, International Research Network, and Sustainability. Ben Sowter, Senior Vice President at QS, explained that the changes were designed to “closely align” its flagship rankings with the priorities of Gen Z and Gen Alpha students, who are “increasingly socially conscious students.” Sowter further noted: “An institution’s ability to make that global impact and really be recognised for their capability is directly linked to their ability to produce graduates who themselves go on to make the right leadership choices and make a global impact. And it’s critically important that universities take responsibility for bringing the best and brightest minds in different disciplines and different fields together to collaborate on solving some of those problems.” QS’s proactive response to emerging trends in higher education and evolving student expectations aligns closely with Imperial College London’s “Science for Humanity” strategy. As President Professor Hugh Brady stated: “This commitment to excellence has been recognised globally, as our excellence in world-leading research, outstanding employability scores, and exceptional commitment to sustainability contributed to our 2nd place in the QS World University Ranking.” Looking at Imperial’s 2026 QS indicator scores, the university achieved 99.6 in Academic Reputation and 95 in Citations per Faculty, the two most heavily weighted metrics. Behind these exceptional scores lies the university’s sustained investment in research, innovation, and world-leading impact under the “Science for Humanity” strategy. In June 2025, Imperial established four new Schools of Convergence Science, integrating the university’s strengths across science, technology, and business to address the world’s most urgent challenges. Rather than simple interdisciplinary collaboration, these schools aim to break down barriers between disciplines and departments, accelerating the implementation of the “Science for Humanity” strategy. The four Schools focus respectively on: Health and TechnologySpace, Security and TelecomsSustainabilityHuman and Artificial IntelligenceToday, the majority of Imperial’s research activities are directly connected to these four schools. For example, The School of Health and Technology has already produced significant breakthroughs in areas such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and prostate cancer imaging. Professor Anthony Bull, School of Convergence Science Co-Director (Convenor), stated: “The School of Convergence Science (Health and Technology) is a bold initiative to harness the depth and breadth of our research to drive lasting societal impact and build a healthier, more equitable, and resilient future for all.” Meanwhile, in The School of Human and Artificial Intelligence, Imperial researchers are developing transformative tools and solutions designed to benefit society. Professor Alessandra Russo, Head of the Department of Computing, noted: “AI will undoubtedly reshape our life, our world, our future. It's this convergence between AI and human intelligence that can unlock the potential and power of AI technology.” At the same time, Imperial is striving to translate research into real-world applications and solutions, truly realizing the vision of “science for humanity.” One notable example is WestTech London, where more than 1,000 cutting-edge innovation companies have already established operations. Outstanding Advantages in Internationalization and Graduate EmployabilityBeyond academic research, internationalization and student employability are also major strengths behind Imperial’s QS success. Imperial achieved perfect scores in both International Faculty Ratio and International Student Ratio, making it one of the most international universities in the world. According to university data, international students account for 61% of the student body and come from more than 150 countries and regions. Likewise, Imperial’s academic staff represent top global talent, with 41% originating from outside the UK. Under the “Science for Humanity” strategy, Imperial has established Imperial Global Hubs in Singapore, the United States, Ghana, and India. These hubs serve as bridges between the UK and major global innovation centers, enabling the free flow and exchange of research, knowledge, and technology worldwide. As a result, Imperial scored an impressive 97.5 in the International Research Network indicator in the 2026 QS rankings. Equally impressive are Imperial’s scores in Employer Reputation (100) and Employment Outcomes (95.9), with the latter rising sharply from 83 in 2024 to 95.9 in 2026. Located in central London, Imperial is surrounded by leading technology firms, innovative startups, and world-class medical institutions. Its curriculum and internship programs are deeply integrated with industry, contributing to strong graduate employability and competitiveness among top employers such as Google, DeepMind, fintech firms, and the UK’s National Health Service. As a result, Imperial has become one of the world’s premier launching pads for graduate careers. It was ranked first for graduate career prospects in The Guardian’s University Guide 2025 and recognized as top for Graduate Employment in The Times/The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. Yet Imperial is not stopping there. Professor Peter Haynes, Provost and Deputy President, believes: “As the pace of innovation accelerates, our education must prepare our graduates to adopt emerging technologies not only for the careers of today, but also for the future jobs we cannot even imagine.” To achieve this, Imperial continues to invest heavily in student innovation initiatives and digital education capabilities, aiming to deliver a truly world-class educational experience. Sustained Financial Growth Supports the Rise in RankingsImperial’s financial growth also reflects its upward trajectory. Between 2021 and 2025, the university’s total income increased from £1.079 billion to £1.493 billion, representing cumulative growth of nearly 38.4%. In 2025, all income streams except funding body grants recorded growth. Among these, Tuition fees and education contracts rose dramatically from £384 million in 2021 to £554 million in 2025, an increase of 44.3%. Notably, international tuition fees accounted for as much as 80.7% of total tuition income, providing substantial resources that further strengthened teaching and research quality. At the same time, Research grants and contracts increased by 12.8% year-on-year to £447.4 million. The year 2025 also marked particularly strong performance in securing new research funding. Industry funding rose significantly from £47.2 million in the 2020/21 academic year to £63.7 million in 2024/25, an increase of 35%, highlighting the depth of Imperial’s industry-academia collaboration. Particularly noteworthy was the university’s donation income. As of July 31, 2025, Imperial received £74.6 million in donations — the highest level since 2019 — signaling strong confidence from alumni and external partners in the university’s future development. Imperial’s rise to No. 2 globally reflects the resonance between changes in QS ranking methodology and the university’s own multidimensional strengths. As QS shifted its emphasis from traditional academic prestige toward employability and internationalization, Imperial’s deep-rooted advantages in engineering, technology, medicine, and applied sciences translated into overwhelming competitive strength in the rankings. Behind the methodological transformation lies a broader shift in how universities are evaluated globally — and Imperial College London has emerged as one of the clearest symbols of that transformation.
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NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Joins Tsinghua Advisory Board
Recently, according to the Financial Times, NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang has accepted an invitation to join the Advisory Board of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University (Tsinghua SEM Advisory Board). It is also reported that during recent China visits by U.S. President Donald Trump, Huang was among the accompanying delegation members. The Tsinghua SEM Advisory Board was established in October 2000 under the active promotion of then-Dean of Tsinghua SEM and former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji. The current honorary chairman is Wang Qishan, while the chairman is Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. The board currently consists of 67 members, including 65 advisors. Among the overseas members are 49 internationally renowned business leaders, two presidents of top global universities, four deans of prominent overseas business schools, and two Nobel laureates in economics. Members include leading figures in the American technology industry such as Elon Musk of Tesla, Michael Dell of Dell Technologies, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, and Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, as well as prominent figures in the financial sector such as Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase and Larry Fink of BlackRock. Tsinghua University is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in China. Through teaching, research, and innovation, Tsinghua is committed to advancing the well-being of both China and the wider world. As one of China’s most influential institutions of higher education, Tsinghua aims to cultivate global citizens who can thrive in today’s world and become the leaders of tomorrow. By pursuing excellence in education and research, the university seeks to develop innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing China and the international community. Jensen Huang Photo by NvidiaJensen Huang (born February 17, 1963) is a business executive and electrical engineer who is the founder, president, and CEO of Nvidia, the world's most valuable company. Huang holds a BSEE degree from Oregon State University and an MSEE degree from Stanford University. As of 2026, Forbes estimates his net worth at over US$200 billion, making him the seventh-wealthiest individual in the world. Huang launched Nvidia in 1993 from a Denny's restaurant in San Jose, California, at age 30 and has remained its president and CEO ever since. He led the company out of near-bankruptcy during the 1990s and oversaw its expansion into GPU production, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence (AI). Under Huang, Nvidia experienced rapid growth during the AI boom, becoming the first company to reach a market capitalization of over $5 trillion in October 2025. In 2017, he was named Fortune’s Businessperson of the Year. In 2019, Harvard Business Review ranked him No. 1 on its list of the world’s 100 best-performing CEOs over the lifetime of their tenure. In 2021 and 2024, Time magazine included Huang in their list of the most influential people. In 2025, he was named as one of the "Architects of AI" for Time's Person of the Year.
Weekly Analysis: Nature, Science Output Concentrates Among Elite Universities
The number of papers published in Nature and Science is widely recognized as one of the key indicators for measuring the international research influence of universities. During the period from May 18 to May 24, 2026, a total of 15 universities ranked within the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings published papers in Nature and Science. These 15 universities were from the United States (10), China (2), as well as the United Kingdom (1), Germany (1), and Australia (1). Among them, Stanford University, Harvard University, Peking University, New York University, University of Washington, and University of California, Santa Barbara each published 2 papers in either Nature or Science. Notably, Heidelberg University in Germany and Arizona State University in the United States each published their first Nature or Science paper of 2026 during this period. Expanding the time frame to January 1–May 24, 2026, a total of 100 universities ranked within the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings had published papers in Nature and Science. These included 35 U.S. universities, maintaining their dominant position at the core of global scientific output; 14 Chinese universities, firmly securing the second tier; and 13 U.K. universities, sustaining Europe’s leading position. Among these 100 universities, 16 institutions published 10 or more papers. Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranked first with 39 papers, including 27 in Nature and 12 in Science, while also leading globally in Nature publications. Stanford University followed closely with 35 papers, including 20 in Nature and 15 in Science, making it the university with the highest number of Science publications. Harvard University (26 papers), Peking University (22 papers), Tsinghua University (19 papers), the University of Science and Technology of China (16 papers), and Fudan University (15 papers) each published 15 or more papers, forming the second tier. Other universities with 10 or more Nature and Science papers included the University of Cambridge, Cornell University, University of California, Berkeley, Yale University, University of Oxford, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Zhejiang University, and University of Washington. The Nature and Science output of these 16 universities accounted for half of all publications produced by QS top 200 universities, demonstrating that global research resources and high-impact scientific achievements are becoming increasingly concentrated among elite institutions. Among them, 9 U.S. universities published a combined total of 165 papers, 5 Chinese universities published a combined total of 82 papers, and 2 U.K. universities published a combined total of 24 papers. Although the average output of top U.S. universities remains higher than that of Chinese institutions, Chinese universities have demonstrated a clear trend of collective breakthroughs in top-tier journals. Below is the list of QS top 200 universities that published 2 or more papers in Nature and Science between January 1 and May 24, 2026. Notes: QS 2026 top 200; Nature: Article, Review Article; Science: Research Article, Review, Special-Issue Research Article; first and/or corresponding author affiliations; each unique institution counted once per paper; print issues only; data through May 24, 2026.
Oxford Leads Royal Society’s 2026 New Fellows
On May 27 local time, the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences, announced the results of its 2026 Fellowship elections, with 93 Fellows and 1 Honorary Fellow elected this year. According to the Society, “This year’s cohort includes pioneers and leaders across a range of scientific fields, from astronomy and cancer research to mathematics and biotechnology.” Among this year’s newly elected Fellows and Honorary Fellows, 26% are women. The new Fellows come from 20 institutions across the UK, including the University of Lancaster, the University of Southampton, and BirdLife International. They have also been elected from countries around the world, including Kenya, Japan, and Mexico. An analysis of the institutional affiliations of the 93 newly elected Fellows shows that 70 of them are affiliated with universities. These Fellows come from 45 universities in total, meaning that university-affiliated members account for as much as 75% of the cohort, highlighting the dominant role of universities in scientific research. (If a Fellow has multiple affiliations, each institution is counted separately.) The University of Oxford had the largest number of newly elected Fellows this year, with 12 scholars successfully elected, demonstrating its leading position in scientific research in the UK. The University of Cambridge followed with 7 newly elected Fellows, also delivering an impressive performance. Harvard University, University College London, and the University of California, Berkeley each had 3 scholars elected. The California Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Queen Mary University of London, the University of Chicago, the University of Manchester, the University of Sheffield, the University of Toronto, and the University of Washington each had 2 scholars elected. In addition, 32 other universities each had 1 scholar elected. It is also worth noting that Dame Anne Rafferty was elected as an Honorary Fellow this year. She previously served as the former Chancellor of the University of Sheffield. Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, said: “Our Fellowship is strengthened not only by individual distinction, but by the diversity of perspectives and experiences its members bring. This incoming cohort highlights the truly international character of contemporary science and underscores the vital role that plays in achieving breakthroughs that benefit us all.” About the Royal SocietyThe Royal Society’s fundamental purpose, reflected in its founding Charters of the 1660s, is to recognise, promote and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. As an independent Fellowship made up of the most eminent scientists, engineers and technologists from across the scientific landscape, the Society recognises excellence and elects Fellows from all over the world. Fellows are elected for life through a peer review process on the basis of excellence in science. There are currently approximately 1,900 Fellows, including around 85 Nobel Laureates. Each year up to 109 Fellows (including up to 24 via the Foreign Membership route) are elected from a group of around 800 candidates who are proposed by the existing Fellowship.
Five University Scholars Win $1.2M 2026 Shaw Prize
On May 27, The Shaw Prize officially announced the winners of the 2026 awards in the three fields of Astronomy, Life Science and Medicine, and Mathematical Sciences. Scholars from institutions including The University of Tokyo, University of California, Santa Cruz, Collège de France, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Stanford University were among the recipients. The list of award winners is as follows: The Shaw Prize in Astronomy 2026 is awarded in equal shares to Ken’ichi Nomoto, Emeritus Professor and Visiting Senior Scientist of the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, the University of Tokyo, Japan, and Stanford Woosley, Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA, for their studies of stellar explosions and the origin of the elements. The Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine 2026 is awarded in equal shares to Anne Dejean, Professor Emerita at the Institut Pasteur, France, Hugues de Thé, Professor and Chair of Cellular and Molecular Oncology at the Collège de France and Zhu Chen, Professor, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, PRC for the discovery of the molecular and cellular bases of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) and the pioneering of a synergistic targeted therapy that transformed the disease from one of the most deadly to one of the most curable cancers. The Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences 2026 is awarded in equal shares to Emmanuel Candès, the Barnum–Simons Chair in Mathematics and Statistics, Stanford University, USA and Camillo De Lellis, the IBM von Neumann Professor, School of Mathematics, Institute for Advanced Study, USA for their breakthrough contributions to the use of deep techniques from mathematical analysis to rigorously understand applied problems in information theory, signal processing and statistics on the one hand, and to the study of singularities in geometric measure theory and fluid dynamics on the other. About The Shaw Prize The Shaw Prize is dedicated to futhering societal progress, enhancing quality of life, and enriching humanity's spiritual civilisation. The Prize consists of four annual awards — the Prize in Astronomy, the Prize in Life Science and Medicine, and the Prize in Mathematical Sciences, awarded since 2004, and the Prize in Computer Science, introduced in 2026. Each Prize carries a monetary award, which has been set at one million two hundred thousand US dollars since 2016. Since 2004, The Shaw Prize has recognised over a hundred exceptional individuals who have made groundbreaking contributions to their respective fields, many of whom have gone on to receive other prestigious international awards.
UChicago “Chicago Minds” Campaign Secures Over $600 Million Donations
Recently, the University of Chicago launched the most ambitious and comprehensive fundraising and global engagement campaign in its history—a multi-year initiative aimed at expanding the University’s impact through investments in research and education. A key component of the effort is to engage and inspire UChicago’s worldwide community of alumni and friends. According to the University of Chicago, the University had already received substantial philanthropic support before the campaign’s official launch, with donations now exceeding $600 million. Called “Chicago Minds,” this campaign seeks to leverage UChicago’s uniquely rigorous approach to confront the most pressing challenges of today and the future, from climate to cancer; to explore the potential of emerging technology; and to strengthen economic opportunity and democratic institutions and discourse. “At the University of Chicago, we are devoted to the cultivation of the human mind that pursues knowledge at the highest level,” said President Paul Alivisatos. “This campaign is designed to honor that enduring commitment and create the conditions in which future generations of Chicago Minds—our faculty, students, staff, researchers, and physicians—can shape the future through discovery, dialogue, and service to society.” The campaign reflects years of planning across the University. Organized around broad themes that include advancing world-changing research, fueling faculty excellence, expanding access and opportunity for students, and reimagining the physical campus, Chicago Minds will strengthen the University’s academic enterprise for generations to come. It will support major interdisciplinary initiatives in health and medicine, computing and artificial intelligence, climate and sustainable growth, and thriving cities and institutions. It will also further galvanize UChicago’s global community of alumni and friends to advocate for its mission and values. many of these priorities had already inspired significant philanthropic support prior to the campaign’s public launch: Faculty excellence — Chicago Minds will promote investment in faculty across disciplines, recognizing that attracting and retaining exceptional scholars is essential to the University’s continued leadership in research and education. A $75 million challenge commitment from Amy Wallman, MBA’75, and UChicago Trustee Richard Wallman, MBA’74, inspired an additional $75 million in philanthropy from alumni and friends to create 30 new endowed professorships across the University. Student support — The campaign seeks to expand undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, and professional school aid while creating new opportunities for research, experiential learning, and global engagement. It will build on the University’s long-standing commitment to access and affordability, including a new initiative under which, beginning in fall 2027, admitted undergraduate students from families earning less than $250,000 annually, with typical assets, will receive free tuition. Students from families earning less than $125,000 annually, with typical assets, will be able to attend the College free of tuition, housing and meals costs, and other fees. Mind and machine — The campaign will support faculty, academic programs, and dedicated spaces for research and collaboration on topics related to thinking with machines across all disciplines, as well as foundational work in computing, mathematics, and statistics. UChicago’s distinctive approach to examining the ethical, legal, and societal implications of emerging technologies will feature prominently. A $50 million commitment from Trustee Rika Mansueto, AB’91, and Joe Mansueto, AB’78, MBA’80, will help accelerate the University’s efforts to become a global leader in computing and artificial intelligence by building a cohort of faculty who will pursue AI’s potential. Health and medicine — Chicago Minds will support ambitious investments in the biological sciences, clinical care, and translational research, as well as the many intersections with the physical sciences, molecular engineering, and data sciences, helping accelerate discovery while expanding access to exceptional care. Philanthropic support for the new AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion is creating one of the most significant health care projects in the University’s history, while a $21 million gift from philanthropist Thea Berggren has established a new center for quantum engineering and human health. Climate and energy — The campaign will accelerate the University’s efforts to confront climate change while expanding economic opportunity and improving lives around the world. Centered at the new Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, the initiative brings together economics, policy, science, engineering, and business to pursue evidence-based climate solutions, breakthrough energy technologies, and innovative approaches to sustainable growth. A distinctive initiative of the new institute is a commitment to create a new discipline of climate systems engineering. More than $125 million in philanthropic support has already helped launch the effort, which includes a first-of-its-kind curriculum focused on climate and sustainable growth. Campus renewal — A $50 million gift from Board Chair David M. Rubenstein, JD’73, will revitalize Ida Noyes Hall as a vibrant new hub for student life and a center for welcoming visitors and alumni. The project launches a broader effort to renew the University’s historic campus for the next hundred years while creating dynamic spaces that foster collaboration, connection, and intellectual exchange. Freedom of expression — Building on the University’s long-standing leadership in free expression and academic freedom, Chicago Minds will support new programs, research, course offerings, fellowships, and public engagement. A $100 million commitment from an anonymous donor to the Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression is helping expand its work on campus and beyond, championing UChicago’s distinctive approach to rigorous debate, open discourse, and the fearless pursuit of truth. Other generous investments in the lead-up to the campaign are already accelerating work with the potential to expand knowledge, advance scholarship, and drive societal impact across the University. A $60 million gift from Trustee John M. Liew, AB’89, MBA’94, PhD’95, and Clifford Asness, MBA’91, PhD’94, is helping the University of Chicago Booth School of Business deepen its leadership in finance, economics, and quantitative research. An $18.4 million gift from the Leinweber Foundation has established a major new institute for theoretical physics at UChicago, strengthening the University’s leadership in fundamental science and expanding opportunities for collaboration across the physical sciences. Trustee Steven A. Kersten, JD’80, and his wife, Priscilla Kersten, made a $25 million commitment to the Urban Education Institute in the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice to advance K–12 education research and improve outcomes for students in urban schools. A $20 million gift from Trustee Thomas Francis Dunn, AB’81, MBA’86, and Susan Knapp Dunn, AB’82, established the Bike Shop @UChicago at the Harris School of Public Policy, a lab for building algorithms to help design more effective policy. “The University of Chicago is worthy of the belief and pride of its global community,” said Armin Afsahi, UChicago’s vice president for advancement. “Chicago Minds is about ensuring that this remarkable institution has the resources to continue generating transformative scholarship, educating extraordinary students, and contributing meaningfully to the world for generations to come. ”
Weekly Analysis: 19 QS Top 200 Universities Publish Nature, Science
The number of papers published in Nature and Science is widely recognized as one of the key indicators for measuring the international research influence of universities. During the period from May 11 to May 17, 2026, a total of 19 universities ranked within the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings published papers in Nature and Science. These 19 universities were from the United States (10), China (2), the United Kingdom (2), Switzerland (2), as well as Canada (1), Japan (1), and South Korea (1). Among them, Duke University published 2 papers in Nature, while the other 18 universities each published 1 paper in either Nature or Science. Notably, Brown University in the United States, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in South Korea, and Kyushu University in Japan each published their first Nature or Science paper of 2026 during this period. Expanding the time frame to January 1 to May 17, 2026, a total of 98 universities ranked within the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings had published 481 papers in Nature and Science. Among them, 34 U.S. universities published 243 papers, maintaining their dominant position in global scientific output; 14 Chinese universities published 115 papers, firmly securing second place; and 13 U.K. universities published 43 papers, sustaining Europe’s leading position. Among these 98 universities, 14 institutions published 10 or more papers. Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranked first with 38 papers, including 26 in Nature and 12 in Science, while also leading globally in Nature publications. Stanford University followed closely with 33 papers, including 20 in Nature and 13 in Science, making it the university with the highest number of Science publications. Harvard University (24 papers), Peking University (20 papers), Tsinghua University (18 papers), the University of Science and Technology of China (16 papers), and Fudan University (15 papers) each published 15 or more papers, forming the second tier. Other universities with 10 or more Nature and Science papers included the University of Cambridge, Cornell University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, Princeton University, and Zhejiang University. These 14 universities published a combined total of 242 papers, accounting for 50.3% of all publications from QS top 200 universities, highlighting a highly concentrated distribution of research output among leading institutions. Among them, 8 U.S. universities published 149 papers, 5 Chinese universities published 79 papers, and the sole U.K. representative, the University of Cambridge, published 14 papers. Although the average output of top U.S. universities remains higher than that of Chinese institutions, Chinese universities have demonstrated a clear trend of collective breakthroughs in top-tier journals. Below is the list of QS top 200 universities that published 2 or more papers in Nature and Science between January 1 and May 17, 2026. Notes: QS 2026 top 200; Nature: Article, Review Article; Science: Research Article, Review, Special-Issue Research Article; first and/or corresponding author affiliations; each unique institution counted once per paper; print issues only; data through April 26, 2026.
Australian Academy of Science Elects New Members
On May 21 local time, the Australian Academy of Science(AAS) announced the election of 26 new Fellows and two Corresponding Members for 2026. The newly elected members come from a wide range of fields, including immunology, paleontology, and quantum computing. According to statistics, 22 of the 26 new Fellows are affiliated with universities, accounting for 84.6% of the total, highlighting the leading role of higher education institutions in scientific research. Among them, five universities — Australian National University, The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, The University of Western Australia, and the University of New South Wales — each had three scholars elected, demonstrating particularly strong performance. Monash University had two scholars elected, while another five universities each had one scholar elected. In addition, the Academy has also elected two Corresponding Members — distinguished international scientists with strong ties to Australia who have made outstanding contributions to science. The two scholars are from the Indian Institute of Science and the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The full list of newly elected members is as follows: Academy President Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC said this year’s cohort demonstrated both the depth of Australian science and the pathway from discovery to impact. “This cohort includes scientists whose work is rewriting the textbooks and has changed the world,” Professor Jagadish said. About Fellows of the Australian Academy of ScienceFellows of the Australian Academy of Science are among the nation’s most distinguished scientists, elected by their peers for ground-breaking research and contributions that have had clear impact. Each year the Academy may elect up to 24 new Fellows by ‘Ordinary Election’ and up to four additional Fellows by ‘Special Election’. From 1954 to 2025, there have been 965 Fellows elected to the Academy. Each year the Academy’s Council may invite up to two distinguished overseas scientists to join the Academy as Corresponding Members.
Eight Scholars Named 2026 Brown Investigators with $2M Grants
On May 18,The Brown Institute for Basic Sciences at Caltech announced the 2026 class of Brown Investigators. The cohort, the third to be selected through the Brown Institute for Basic Sciences, comprises eight distinguished mid-career faculty working on fundamental challenges in the physical sciences, particularly those with potential long-term practical applications in chemistry and physics. Each investigator will receive up to $2 million over five years. The eight scholars come respectively from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of California, Berkeley, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Michigan, Harvard University, and University of California, Santa Barbara. The 2026 investigators are as follows: "My hope is that these awards will provide talented mid-career researchers with stable and secure funding at a moment of their career when they are poised to make a significant impact in their field, giving them time to focus and develop their line of thinking," says entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Caltech alumnus Ross M. Brown (BS '56, MS '57), who established the Brown Institute for Basic Sciences at Caltech in 2023 through a $400-million gift to the Institute. Brown established the Investigator Awards in 2020 through the Brown Science Foundation in support of the belief that scientific discovery is a driving force in the improvement of the human condition. The Brown Institute for Basic Sciences at Caltech seeks to advance fundamental science discoveries with the potential to seed breakthroughs that benefit society. Including this year's cohort, a total of 37 investigators have been named to date; 24 have been installed over the past three years under the auspices of the Brown Institute for Basic Sciences at Caltech. Previous awardees include Hailiang Wang of Yale University, who is working on new methods to convert inorganic waste molecules, such as CO2 and NOx, into valuable organic compounds; Kerri A. Pratt of the University of Michigan, for research to discover the chemical compounds and chemical mechanisms in the Arctic's rapidly warming atmosphere; and Robert Knowles of Princeton University, to explore a novel hypothesis for the evolution of homochirality—the presence in nature of only one of two mirror-image forms of biomolecules. To determine the new cohort, 24 research universities from across the United States were invited to nominate faculty members who had earned tenure within the last 10 years and who are doing innovative fundamental research in the physical sciences. Nominees were then evaluated by an independent scientific review board that recommended grant winners. In administering the program, Caltech refrains from nominating its own scientists for Brown Investigator Awards. In return, the Institute draws other funds from the Brown gift to support fundamental research in chemistry and physics.
Purdue President Mung Chiang named next president of Northwestern
On May 18 (U.S. Eastern Time), the Board of Trustees of Northwestern University announced that Mung Chiang, the current president of Purdue University, will become the 18th president of Northwestern University starting July 1 this year, making him the first Asian president in the university’s history. Chiang succeeds the University’s 17th president, Michael Schill, who stepped down from the role in September 2025. President Emeritus Henry Bienen will remain interim president through the end of June. “I am honored and thrilled to be Northwestern’s next president,” Chiang said. “I have long admired Northwestern for its dedication to interdisciplinary scholarship, artistic creation and impactful research, its tremendous healthcare system, and its palpable school spirit. “Generations of Northwestern students and colleagues have elevated this University to international preeminence,” Chiang said. “I look forward to serving alongside all the colleagues to continue Northwestern’s upward trajectory.” “My first priority is to listen to and learn about Northwestern’s distinct culture and this community of scholarly and creative minds, because what matters most is the ‘who’ before the ‘what,’ Chiang said. “I plan to engage with as many members of our community as possible: students and parents, faculty and staff, alumni and donors, neighbors and partners, as well as all the trustees. I will listen to every one of the 12 colleges and schools, cheer every one of the 21 sports teams, visit Northwestern Medicine hospitals, and participate in every cherished campus tradition.” Chiang said one of the things that attracted him to Northwestern is the breadth of the University’s excellence across the humanities, social sciences, STEM disciplines, performing arts, and medicine and healthcare. “In my many conversations with Mung through the search process, he consistently has emphasized how he views Northwestern as one of the world’s most eminent comprehensive universities, at which the interdisciplinary culture drives innovation and new ideas,” said Steve Cahillane, chair of the Presidential Search Committee and vice chair of the Board of Trustees. “Mung emerged as a brilliant mind and driven leader who brings relatable and authentic qualities to the way he operates — a great combination to lead Northwestern.” “Mung has his sights set on advancing and enhancing Northwestern among the world’s great research institutions,” said Peter Barris, chair of Northwestern’s Board of Trustees. “Through his stellar academic and administrative leadership at multiple institutions, Mung has demonstrated his ability to harness opportunity and momentum while embracing the breadth and depth of a university. My fellow board members could not be more thrilled for Mung to lead Northwestern into the future.” About Mung Chiang Mung Chiang has served as the 13th President of Purdue University since Jan. 1, 2023, and is the Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Prior to being elected Purdue’s president, he was the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering and executive vice president for strategic initiatives. Over the past four years, Purdue University reached many milestones including a record graduation rate and admissions selectivity, it reached $1 billion annual research expenditures for the first time and received the largest government research grant at the university and the largest industry research grant in the country. It had its best fund-raising year and the highest number of gifts in a 24-hour period, achieved its highest and Top-4 rankings in engineering, agriculture, patent numbers, online programs, free speech, and campus safety. The Purdue men’s basketball team had its winningest four-year span in program history and competed in a national championship game. Under Chiang’s leadership, Purdue successfully launched four strategic pillars, including its first urban campus in Indianapolis, the Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes, and One Health. The university invested in 27 construction or major renovation projects while freezing tuition. Purdue also contributed to attracting tens of billions of industry investments along Indiana’s new Hard Tech Corridor bookended by Purdue’s Indianapolis and West Lafayette campuses, the buildout of a new commercial airport terminal and three new hospitals in West Lafayette. Chiang received his bachelor’s degree (1999), master’s degree (2000) and Ph.D. (2003) from Stanford University and an Honorary Doctorate in Science (2024) from Dartmouth College. Before 2017, Chiang was the Arthur LeGrand Doty Professor of Electrical Engineering and an affiliated faculty member in computer science and in applied and computational mathematics at Princeton University. He founded the Princeton EDGE Lab in 2009 and co-founded several startup companies and industry consortia since the early years of edge computing. Most of his 26 U.S. patents are licensed for network deployment. He co-authored two textbooks based on his massive open online courses: “Networked Life” (2012) and “Power of Networks” (2016). For his research in communication networks, wireless technology and network optimization, he received the National Science Foundation Alan T. Waterman Award (2013), as well as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Founders Medal (2025), the IEEE INFOCOM Achievement Award (2022), the IEEE Kiyo Tomiyasu Award (2012), and a Guggenheim Fellowship (2014). He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as the National Academy of Inventors and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.
King’s College London and Cranfield University propose merger
14 May, King's College London and Cranfield University have announced that the two universities have signed an agreement as the first step toward a merger, with the aim of bringing the two institutions together from August 2027. The proposed merger will create a UK university better equipped for a changing world, offering enhanced opportunities and resources for students, stronger disciplinary synergies, and a distinctive proposition for the UK’s future. The merged university is expected to have approximately 47,000 students, potentially surpassing the size of University of Manchester and becoming the second-largest university in the UK by student population after University College London (UCL). Professor Dame Karen Holford, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor at Cranfield University and Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King's College LondonAs a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield will benefit from King’s interdisciplinary breadth and scale. In turn, King’s will be strengthened by Cranfield’s world-renowned expertise in technology, engineering, and management, alongside its deep and longstanding partnerships with industry and government. Cranfield will become part of King’s College London. The merger will build on the existing strengths of both institutions to support national capability and resilience across: Engineering and Technology — aerospace, advanced manufacturing, AI, and roboticsEnvironment and Resources — water, soil, food systems, and climateEnergy — hydrogen, batteries, and net-zero systemsEconomy, Industry, and Leadership — productivity, skills, and innovationSociety and Policy — health and life sciences, regulation, and public leadershipSecurity and Defence — expertise spanning science, strategy, and operationsAccording to the universities, the merger will jointly deliver: A globally leading engineering and technology capability aligned with industrial priorities and future prosperity.A distinctive contribution to national resilience, security, and defence.Leading business and management education across undergraduate programmes, MBA, and executive education.A combined force at the forefront of environmental science and policy, clean technology, and alternative fuels, with a particular focus on net-zero transportation.Interdisciplinary research combining strengths across engineering, technology, environmental sciences, health, social sciences, arts, and humanities to address complex global challenges.Patrick Vallance, UK Minister of State for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, stated: “The combination of Cranfield and King’s creates an extraordinarily powerful university. It holds huge potential for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and for wider UK research capability and training, bringing together two world-class institutions and giving King’s a place at the heart of one of our most important regions for science and technology. It will create a driver of innovation and growth, capitalise on the complementary strengths and specialisms of both institutions and increase access, capacity and resilience across teaching and research.” Professor Shitij Kapur, Vice-Chancellor & President of King’s College London, commented: “The UK’s universities are among our greatest strategic assets: engines of innovation, educators of future talent, and central to how the country responds to the challenges ahead. This proposed merger will bring together the complementary strengths of two institutions, both founded with a particular emphasis on service to society. The merger would create new educational opportunities for students, new discoveries from academics, and a clear focus on working in partnership with industry and government to support national resilience. This is a deliberate step to bring some of the best of the UK to compete with the best in the world.” Professor Dame Karen Holford, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University, added: “This merger is an exciting proposition for Cranfield, aligning our deep specialisms in engineering, technology, and management within King’s College London. It is an intentional step that brings Cranfield University’s outstanding applied research, nationally important facilities, sovereign capability, and long-standing industry links to King’s, creating enormous potential while continuing our mission to tackle real-world issues. Together, we will create a global university committed not only to excellence, but to delivering it with purpose, ambition, and scale.” According to media reports, the merger comes at a time of increasing financial pressure on UK universities. Some estimates suggest that around 40% of UK universities are facing financial difficulties, with the sector confronting a growing risk of insolvencies. Previously, University of Greenwich and University of Kent also confirmed approval for a formal merger, which will create a first-of-its-kind merger structure in the UK. The new institution is expected to be named the London and South East University Group. About King’s College LondonKing’s College London ranks among the world’s top 35 universities and is the 5th best university in the UK according to the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is one of England’s oldest and most prestigious universities, with a global reputation for world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. King’s ranked sixth in the UK for research power in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. King’s has more than 42,000 students (including over 12,800 postgraduates) from around 190 countries, supported by approximately 8,500 staff members. For nearly 200 years, King’s has been a place where ideas are translated into action—from contributing to the discovery of the DNA structure to advances in medicine, nursing, law, war studies, culture, and public policy. The university has been home to 14 Nobel Prize winners and many scholars whose work has shaped policy and practice worldwide. About Cranfield UniversityCranfield is a world-leading specialist postgraduate university with globally recognised expertise in science, technology, engineering, and management. It is known for applied research with real-world impact, with 88% of its research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021. Cranfield’s education is supported by large-scale research facilities and global industry partnerships. It is one of the few universities in the world with its own airport—Cranfield’s research airport provides a unique environment for aviation and aerospace research. Founded in 1946 as the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield was the first postgraduate institution of its kind. Its School of Management was established in 1967.
UNESCO: Global Higher Education Reaches Record Levels
Recently, UNESCO released its first Higher Education Global Trends Report. The report shows that the number of students enrolled in higher education worldwide has more than doubled over the past two decades, reaching 269 million in 2024. International mobility has tripled over the same period, with nearly 7.3 million students studying abroad, half of whom are hosted in European and North American countries. Women now outnumber men in higher education, but they remain underrepresented at the doctoral level. Significant geographical inequalities also persist, with lower enrolment and completion rates in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. The report includes new data from 146 countries and indicates that the number of students enrolled in higher education worldwide increased from approximately 100 million in 2000 to 269 million in 2024, accounting for 43% of the population of typical higher education age (18–24 years old). However, this growth masks stark regional disparities. While 80% of young people in Western Europe and North America are enrolled in higher education, the corresponding figures are 59% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 37% in the Arab States, 30% in South and West Asia, and only 9% in sub-Saharan Africa. The completion of studies has not kept pace with enrolment growth, with the global gross graduation ratio increasing only modestly from 22% in 2013 to 27% in 2024. The report also examines the financing of higher education. Data show that in 2022, average public expenditure on higher education (ISCED levels 5–8) amounted to approximately 0.8% of GDP globally. This average, however, conceals significant regional differences. Income level is also a key factor, with public spending ranging from below 0.3% of GDP in low-income countries to over 1.5% in high-income systems (UNESCO GEM Report, 2024). Governments in Western Europe and North America invest an average of 1.11% of GDP in higher education, supporting robust public systems. In East Asia and the Pacific, government expenditure on tertiary education averages 0.78% of GDP. Countries such as China and the Republic of Korea invest above the global average. At the same time, international student mobility has become an increasingly important topic in higher education, as mobility flows continue to rise worldwide, driving unprecedented levels of global exchange. According to the report, the number of students pursuing higher education abroad has more than tripled over the past two decades, rising from 2.1 million in 2000 to nearly 7.3 million in 2023. However, mobility benefits only 3% of the global student cohort, with substantial regional disparities. Looking at specific countries, nearly half of all internationally mobile students in 2023 came from just ten countries. China and India account for the largest shares of outbound international students, a trend projected to continue at least until 2030 (British Council, 2024b). In terms of destination countries, seven countries—the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Canada, the Russian Federation, and France—continue to host half of all international students. Countries such as Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates are becoming increasingly popular destinations. With mobility numbers increasing at least fivefold over the past decade, they are now closely trailing France. The report also highlights an important finding: women now outnumber men in higher education. Globally, there were 114 women enrolled in higher education for every 100 men in 2024. Gender parity has been achieved in all regions except sub-Saharan Africa. Central and Southern Asia have made remarkable progress, rising from 68 women enrolled per 100 men in 2000 to achieving gender parity in 2023. Nevertheless, women remain underrepresented at the doctoral level and hold only around one-quarter of senior leadership positions in academia.
Weekly Analysis: 6 QS 200 Universities Debut in Nature, Science 2026
The number of papers published in Nature and Science is widely recognized as one of the key indicators for measuring the international research influence of universities. During the period from May 4 to May 10, 2026, a total of 19 universities ranked within the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings published papers in Nature and Science. These 19 universities were from the United States (9), the United Kingdom (4), China (2), the Netherlands (2), as well as Japan (1) and Austria (1). Among them, Harvard University published 2 papers, including 1 in Nature and 1 in Science. University of Bristol, Kyoto University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of California, Davis, University of Southern California, and University of York each recorded their first publication in Nature or Science in 2026. Expanding the time frame to January 1 to May 10, 2026, a total of 94 universities ranked within the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings had published 455 papers in Nature and Science. Among them, 32 U.S. universities published 226 papers, maintaining their dominant position in global scientific output; 14 Chinese universities published 113 papers, firmly securing second place; and 13 U.K. universities published 41 papers, sustaining Europe’s leading position. Among these 94 universities, 12 institutions published 10 or more papers. Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranked first with 37 papers, including 25 in Nature and 12 in Science. Stanford University followed closely with 32 papers, including 20 in Nature and 12 in Science. Together, these two universities alone accounted for 15% of all published papers. Harvard University, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, and the University of Science and Technology of China each published 15 or more papers, forming the second tier. Other universities with notable output included University of Cambridge (14 papers), Cornell University (12 papers), University of California, Berkeley (11 papers), University of Pennsylvania (10 papers), and Zhejiang University (10 papers). These 12 universities published a combined total of 217 papers, accounting for 47.7% of all publications from QS top 200 universities, highlighting a highly concentrated distribution of research output among leading institutions. Among them, 6 U.S. universities published 126 papers, 5 Chinese universities published 77 papers, and the sole U.K. representative, University of Cambridge, published 14 papers. Although the average output of top U.S. universities remains higher than that of Chinese institutions, Chinese universities have demonstrated a clear trend of collective breakthroughs in top-tier journals. Below is the list of QS top 200 universities that published 2 or more papers in Nature and Science between January 1 and May 10, 2026. Notes: QS 2026 top 200; Nature: Article, Review Article; Science: Research Article, Review, Special-Issue Research Article; first and/or corresponding author affiliations; each unique institution counted once per paper; print issues only; data through April 26, 2026.
University of Toronto Leads Canadian Academy of Engineering Elections
On May 11 (local time), the President of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, Catherine Karakatsanis, announced the election of fifty new Fellows and six new International Fellows into the Academy. Ms. Karakatsanis commented: “I am delighted to welcome the new Fellows to the Academy whose impressive accomplishments and leadership in their respective fields have significantly advanced engineering in both Canada and around the world. Their outstanding contributions and dedication to excellence serve as an inspiration to us all.” Among the 50 newly elected members, 28 are affiliated with 19 universities, accounting for nearly half of the total, highlighting the leading role of academia. The University of Toronto had the largest number of newly elected members in this round, with six scholars successfully selected, underscoring its status as a top Canadian institution. Polytechnique Montréal, Queen's University, University of Waterloo, and Western University each had two members elected, demonstrating strong performance. The remaining 13 universities each had one elected member. The six newly elected International Fellows come from Tsinghua University, University of Maryland, College Park, City University of Hong Kong, University of Southern California, University of Houston, and the Institute of Chemical Technology. They have all made outstanding contributions to the promotion of international scientific research collaboration. About The Canadian Academy of EngineeringThe Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) is the national institution through which individuals, who have made outstanding contributions to engineering in Canada, provide strategic advice on matters of critical importance to Canada and to Canadians. The CAE is an independent, self-governing, and non-profit organization established in 1987. Fellows of the CAE are nominated and elected by their peers, in view of their distinguished achievements and career-long service. Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering are committed to ensuring that Canada’s engineering expertise and experience are applied to the benefit of all Canadians.
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