An international academic publisher has confirmed The University of Queensland’s already laudable research excellence is continuing to improve, with the Nature Index 2016 Rising Stars placing UQ second in the Asia-Pacific region.
The accolade is based on the prestigious Nature Index, which rates institutions and countries according to the number and quality of research publications, and considers how much research institutions have improved since 2012.
UQ has placed 58th worldwide, second in the Asia Pacific region and second in Australia.
UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said the ranking recognised UQ’s continued commitment to attracting and supporting the world’s best and brightest researchers.
“We’re proud to be home to many significant and respected Australian researchers and to host excellent researchers from around the world,” he said.
“Much of our research is co-published with experts from other international organisations, highlighting the importance of collaboration and industry engagement.
“This global approach is necessary because our researchers are working to find solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems, such as working on ways to manage climate change, or how to better understand genetics so we can personalise medical treatments.
“I look forward to seeing what our UQ researchers will discover next.
“Most importantly, I also encourage Australia to back these rising stars by addressing a fundamental shortage in funding for research of the highest order.”
Nature Index Founder David Swinbanks said with four years of data already behind it, the Nature Index was an increasingly powerful tool to assess research performance.
“By identifying these rising stars, we’re given an insight into which new emerging institutions are likely to play a role in addressing some of the globe’s most pressing challenges,” he said.
Two other Australian universities feature in the Rising Stars index, with the University of New South Wales at 52 and Curtin University at 94.
Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 3439.
