Middle East University (MEU) has officially announced its withdrawal from the Times Higher Education World and Regional University Rankings. This decision was taken due to the lack of clarity surrounding the ranking methodology and the mechanisms used to calculate its indicators. Moreover, this methodology has undergone frequent changes, raising questions about its transparency and fairness in accurately measuring the genuine performance of academic institutions.
The President of the University, Professor Salam Al-Mahadin, emphasised MEU’s belief in the necessity of developing global evaluation systems, provided they are grounded in transparency, balance, and diversity of criteria. She noted that this decision does not indicate a strategic abandonment of the university’s pursuit of academic and research excellence; rather, it aligns with its vision to uphold integrity and fairness within international ranking systems.
Professor Al-Mahadin further elucidated that a primary rationale for the withdrawal was the introduction of a financial subscription system for participation in the Sustainability Ranking by the ranking body. This, she explained, resulted in the ranking acquiring a commercial orientation that is contradictory to the university’s established values, objectives, and vision. Consequently, it undermines the credibility of an objectively assessed evaluation of institutions’ commitment to the attainment of sustainable development.