Key points
- Malaysia’s University of Malaya ranks 58th, significantly ahead of Israel’s Tel Aviv University at 223rd
- Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd University is placed 67th globally, showcasing strong advancements in STEM education within the Muslim world
- This rising trend challenges traditional regional academic dominance and signals a broader renaissance in higher education across the Muslim world
ISLAMABAD: In a striking reshaping of the academic landscape, universities from Muslim-majority countries are rising prominently in the QS World University Rankings 2026, outshining their Israeli peers and asserting themselves as formidable centres of higher learning on the global stage.
The latest QS rankings, which evaluated over 1,500 institutions from more than 100 countries, reveal a vibrant surge in quality education and research output across the Muslim world and Asia. While the United States maintains its traditional dominance, institutions from countries such as Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE have achieved notable breakthroughs, climbing into the elite top 100 bracket.
Malaysia’s flagship University of Malaya leads the pack with a commendable 58th position worldwide, a remarkable leap that places it well ahead of Israel’s Tel Aviv University, which sits at 223rd. Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals also proudly holds the 67th spot, highlighting the kingdom’s growing investment in scientific and technological education.
Rising educational standards
Qatar University and Khalifa University of the UAE follow closely, ranked 112th and 177th, respectively, illustrating the Gulf region’s commitment to developing world-class academic hubs. Indonesia’s University of Indonesia (189th) and Kazakhstan’s Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (166th) further underscore the broad geographical spread of rising educational standards across Muslim-majority nations.
In sharp contrast, Israel’s academic institutions, such as Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (240th), and Technion Israel Institute of Technology (350th) remain farther down the list, indicating a diversification of academic excellence beyond the traditionally dominant Middle East players.
Turkey’s Middle East Technical University and Iran’s University of Tehran, ranked 269th and 322nd, respectively, also feature as important contributors to the Muslim world’s academic tapestry, along with universities in Oman, Jordan, and Uzbekistan that steadily make their mark.
An academic renaissance
This emerging trend not only signals an academic renaissance in Muslim countries but also challenges preconceived notions about regional educational dominance. The growing presence of these institutions in prestigious global rankings reflects strategic investments in research infrastructure, international collaborations, and curriculum development.
As the Muslim world’s universities rise in stature, their success story serves as a powerful narrative of progress, resilience, and ambition, carving a new chapter in the global competition for academic excellence—one that surpasses traditional rivals and inspires future generations of scholars.
