Egyptian universities broadly faced some setbacks in this year’s international rankings, although there were also some bright spots. Different international rankings showed different levels of performance among Egyptian universities, with one ranking seeing more universities entering the ranking, while another saw the majority of ranked universities fall back in their standings.

There are a handful of global ranking systems out there, but there are three that really count: The QS World University Rankings, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU, or the Shanghai Ranking). The 2024 edition of the ARWU ranking has yet to be released.

We have 12 more Egyptian universities included in THE’s 2024 ranking, which now includes 38 Egyptian universities, up from 26 in last year’s edition. Badr University in Cairo, Delta University for Science and Technology, Egyptian Russian University, Misr University for Science and Technology, and Pharos University all became reporter universities in the latest rankings, as were Canadian International College (CIC), Future University, October 6 University, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), and University of Sadat City, which were also reporter universities in last year’s ranking. Reporter universities feed in data, but are not ranked.

The methodology: THE’s ranking system adopts 13 performance indicators grouped into five areas: Teaching (the learning environment); research (volume, income and reputation); citations (research influence); International outlook (staff, students and research); and industry income (knowledge transfer), THE rankings methodology notes.

Aswan University breaks its streak: After a four-year run of being ranked as the top Egyptian university in THE’s ranking, it ceded the top spot to Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), which is ranked 601-800. E-JUST was a reporter university last year. Aswan is tied with Al Azhar University, Alexandria University, the American University, Cairo University, Damietta University, Kafrelsheikh University, Mansoura University, and Zagazig University, all of which are ranked 801-1000.

A number of universities stumbled in this year’s ranking: Aswan had been ranked in the 401-500 range last year, while Kafrelsheikh and Mansoura were ranked 501-600 last year, and Cairo University was ranked 601-800.

Over in the QS ranking, it’s Cairo University’s time to shine:This year, Cairo University is ranked 371, leading in the academic reputation, employer reputation, employment outcome, international research network, and sustainability scores. This is a leap from the university’s position in last year’s ranking, which placed it in the 551-560 range.

AUC leads the private pack: The American University in Cairo (AUC) is the top-ranked private university in Egypt, coming in at 415 in the overall ranking and second in the country behind Cairo University. AUC ranks strongest in terms of the faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, and international faculty ratio.

As for the rest of the ranking: Ain Shams University is ranked as the third-best Egyptian university (721-730), followed by Alexandria University (901-950); the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport, Assiut University, Future University in Egypt, and Mansoura University (1001-1200); Al Azhar University, British University in Egypt, German University in Cairo, Helwan University, Suez Canal University, Tanta University, and Zagazig University (1201-1400).

We continue to have the highest number of universities represented in the QS rankings out of all African countries: Egypt maintained its lead position on a continent level in the QS World University Rankings 2024, with 15 ranked universities, out of 32 from the continent. Egypt had 14 universities in the ranking in 2022.

Regionally, our universities aren’t quite at the top: We didn’t crack into QS’ ranking of the top 10 universities in the Arab region, with AUC coming in at 11 and Cairo University landing in the 12th spot regionally. Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz University snagged the top spot in the regional ranking, followed by Qatar University, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, King Saud University, American University in Beirut, United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University, Sultan Qaboos University, American University of Sharjah, and University of Jordan.

Your top education stories for the week:

  • Wycombe Abbey in the NAC: British private school Wycombe Abbey will establish a branch in the new capital, according to a statement (pdf) last week from the city’s developer.
  • CIRA taps Ain Shams president as senior advisor: CIRA Education has hiredMahmoud El Meteini as group senior advisor.
  • Venture money for education startups: Saudi accelerator Value Makers Studio (VMS) has invested in local education startups Akhdar and OBM Education.
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