BOSTON - Sept. 16, 2010:The University of Massachusetts was rated as one of the best universities in the world in the 2010 World University Rankings released today by the Times of London newspaper - the only public university in New England to make the prestigious list.
UMass ranked 56th in the Times of London's Top 200, which the newspaper describes as "the gold standard for world-class research institutions."
In announcing this year's World University Rankings, Times Higher Education editor Ann Mroz said: "We would like to congratulate the University of Massachusetts for its performance in this year's rigorous rankings. Being ranked 56 in the world top 200 is an impressive achievement. The top 200 universities in the world represent only a tiny fraction of world higher education and any institution that makes it into this table is truly world class."
In this year's World University Rankings, the University of Massachusetts:
- Is the only public university in New England to make the Top 200
- Ranks fourth in Massachusetts (behind Harvard, MIT and Tufts), and sixth in New England (after Harvard, MIT, Yale, Tufts and Brown)
- Is the 14th highest-rated American public university and is the 33rd highest-rated American institution public or private
The World University Rankings, considered the premier global higher-education ranking project, rates universities in five broad categories:
- Teaching - the learning environment
- Research - volume, income and reputation
- Citations - research influence
- International mix - staff and students
- Industry income - innovation
University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson said the impressive global ranking should be a point of pride throughout the University and across the state.
"The University of Massachusetts is a truly great University, and we are delighted to be recognized in such dramatic fashion," President Wilson said. "This ranking is a testament to the hard work of our outstanding faculty and to the efforts of students who come to us with impressive credentials and talents and graduate prepared to change the world."
"We have attained this very impressive rating as a result of working hard to ensure quality and excellence on all five campuses," President Wilson added.
The Times of London evaluated the University of Massachusetts as a five-campus system.
"Through its education, research and service efforts, the University of Massachusetts shapes our future and touches every corner of the state. UMass educates the people who will build and lead Massachusetts and produces research that drives the state's innovation economy. These are the efforts that are being recognized by this international accolade," President Wilson noted.
Chairman Manning and Chancellors react
The University's strong ranking drew expressions of praise and gratitude from the chairman of the UMass Board of Trustees and from the University's five Chancellors.
"As chairman of the Board of Trustees and as a UMass graduate, I take great pride in this ranking. To those of us who know the University system well, this world-class rating comes as no surprise. When one looks at the accomplishments of our students and graduates and at the excellence of our Nobel Prize-winning faculty, it is easy to see why UMass would receive this level of international acclaim," said Robert J. Manning, chairman of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees.
Said UMass Amherst Chancellor Robert C. Holub: "The Times of London ranking reflects an international appreciation for the outstanding research and teaching that occur every day at UMass, and as the University's flagship campus in Amherst, we're proud to play a vital role in earning such recognition for the Commonwealth."
"University of Massachusetts students, faculty and staff have long been aware of their institutions' commitment to quality higher education. We are proud to have been rated among the best universities in the world and are gratified that our University system has been recognized, internationally, for its excellence," said UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley.
UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack said: "The Times of London ranking certainly confirms that the five-campus University of Massachusetts has an international reputation for providing access to excellence in learning, discovery and engagement. Each campus keeps world-class opportunities within reach of students, both financially and geographically, and prepares its students to prosper and engage in the global community."
"This ranking is a clear illustration of the excellent reputation of UMass education not just in our own state and country, but around the globe. We are indeed a system of five world-class universities, each with individual strengths, that together offer students one of the best and most affordable educational opportunities in the world," said UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan.
And UMass Medical School Chancellor Michael F. Collins said: "It is not surprising that the reputation of the University of Massachusetts continues to grow across the country and around the world. This impressive recognition is a validation of our unyielding commitment to excellence. Through our distinguished researchers, faculty, students and graduates, we are extending our global reach. In doing so, we are having an impact on Massachusetts and the world that is notable and sustaining."
World University Rankings background
The Times of London has been rating the world's universities since 2004 and its World University Rankings is considered the most authoritative source of broad comparative performance information on universities across the world. The rankings are published in the newspaper's Times Higher Education supplement. Times officials said the 2010 World University Rankings are based on a preliminary review of thousands of universities worldwide and a "full evaluation" of 400 institutions.
For more information on the Times of London World University Ranking project, please visit https://www.massachusetts.edu
Contact: Robert P. Connolly, 617-287-7073