Rudra Narayan Sahoo, Mumbai:  India stands at 24^th position in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Higher Education System Strength (HESS) global ranking list. The ranking table, which aims to measure quality national environments for higher education institutions, placed the US at the top while the UK finds second spot. Four European nations find a place among the world’s top 10. Three Asian countries are among the top 10 – China (8^th ), South Korea (9^th), and Japan (10^th).

Now, one can rate a nation on the basis higher education parameters and the HESS ranking list may be a benchmark for the changing global higher education landscape. John O’Leary, Editor of the Times Education Guide and member of QS’s Executive Board, said “Assessing whole systems is not just about the top universities – if it were, Singapore would be much higher than it is and some European countries would be lower. The advantage of this ranking is that it looks at the quality and accessibility of higher education as a whole.”

Key highlights of the global ranking list:

The US emerges No 1 with Canada (5^th) the other top-10 North American nation

Three countries from Asia occupy top 10 position – China (8^th), South Korea (9^th), and Japan (10^th)

Pakistan was ranked at 50^th place while among Asian countries India is ranked at 7^th

Africa’s best-performing nation is South Africa, in 30^th

QS’s latest ranking is broadly based on the four factors: system strength, access, flagship and economic performance. On the economic parameter, India’s performance was outstanding (4^th) due to its size and growth potential while on access parameter its report card is poor (42^nd).

About QS Quacquarelli Symonds (www.qs.com)

Founded in 1990, QS Quacquarelli Symonds is the leading global provider of higher education and careers information, independent research and solutions. Its activities span across 50 countries, working with over 2,000 international universities and business schools.