Three top universities in Indonesia, including Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Indonesia and ITB itself, have been ranked as top 100 universities in Asia by QS-WUR 2021. Furthermore, QS has also positioned other 10 Indonesian universities, such as Universitas Airlangga, IPB University, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Binus University, Universitas Padjadjaran, Universitas Diponegoro and Universitas Brawijaya, as top 10 in Indonesia.

Within the release of QS-WUR 2021, it was explained that the rankings were arranged based on 11 indicators, some of them are academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per paper, faculty staff with Ph.D., and faculty students.

“Although the position of ITB and other universities in ASEAN haven’t been ranked as the first world’s university in the recent QS-WUR, we have improved significantly,” Prof. Reini said. Three Indonesian universities have received higher scores compared to 2020 ranking. ITB itself has risen 18 world rankings, from 331 to 313.

Top 10 ASEAN

Furthermore, QS-WUR by Subject 2021 has placed nine subjects in ITB as ‘ASEAN top 10’, including Art and Design (3rd), Petroleum Engineering (4th), Computer Science and Information System, Civil Engineering (6th), Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematical Science (8th) and Architectural Engineering (9th).

Meanwhile, the 9 subjects that previously mentioned along with the Chemical Engineering subject have been ranked as top 10 in Indonesia.

“It becomes a challenge for all of us. We need to improve the competitiveness of our universities through research hand in hand, as ITB’s principle which is “in Harmonia progressio”, working together to build the nation, " she said.

Throughout the process of developing sciences in Indonesia, the government should determine the science cluster to PTN-BH as a special assignment and be given special funding. In addition, it is also necessary to share resources on advanced lab equipment and competitive collaboration to increase the program’s efficiency yet to encourage the competitiveness of each university.

In this case, ITB has started various national and international cooperation programs, such as the MIRA program with MIT and UKICIS with universities in the UK.

ITB has decided to focus on developing Nano science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence & Information Technology, Bio Technology, Renewable Energy as well as Sustainable Infrastructure.

"Ranking is merely one of numerous indicators, what’s more important is the effort towards transformational leadership at all lines and at all levels of campus management," conveyed Prof. Reini to the civitas of ITB.

Reporter: Adi Permana
Translator: Naffisa Adyan Fekranie, Oceanography 2019