King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) ranked first in the Times Higher Education (THE) Arab University Rankings 2023 — a move up from KAUST's ranking as second in the previous year.

KAUST also scored a perfect 100 for research environment, one of only two universities to do so. KAUST's scores in the society pillar (measuring industry income, as well as participation and performance in THE's Impact Rankings) and the international outlook pillar (measuring the share of international students, staff and co-authorship, as well as research collaboration within the Arab world) have improved since last year.

"This is a testament to the world-class research environment we have cultivated here at KAUST," commented President Tony Chan. "Our new strategy is already delivering, with new key deepening strategic partnerships across China, US, Europe and locally in Saudi Arabia with the gigaprojects."

Top500 Committee has just ranked KAUST supercomputer Shaheen III the most powerful in the Middle East and #20 in the world. President Chan believes it will take KAUST further up the THE global rankings. “We are superpowering our research across all disciplines, which is going to significantly address key global and local issues, such as climate and sustainability, renewable energy, AI and future economy and smart health.”

Saudi Arabian and UAE universities dominate the top 10 in the Arab University Rankings 2023. The ascension of KAUST and other Saudi universities in the THE Arab University Rankings reflects the Kingdom’s unwavering focus and investment on research, development and innovation.

This is the third edition of the THE Arab University Rankings, which reveals the strength of higher education across the Arab region. This year, 207 universities across 15 countries are ranked, up from 169 universities in 15 countries last year. Forty-two universities in the region make their debut in this year’s ranking. The emergence of excellent universities within the Kingdom and in the entire Arab world signals a renewal of a Bayt al-Hikma (House of Wisdom) in the world’s most dynamic region.

See the THE Arab University Rankings 2023 full results.