Is your university ranking really measuring what matters? AppliedHE is shaking up the status quo with a bold new approach that puts students and employability first! They've just launched the first-ever Asia ranking to separately recognize both public and private universities, a move that's already sparking debate. But here's where it gets controversial... could this new ranking system finally reveal the true value of higher education in Asia?
AppliedHE has officially unveiled the results of its inaugural AppliedHE Public & Private University Rankings: ALL ASIA. This groundbreaking initiative is the first Asia-wide ranking to specifically acknowledge the distinct contributions of both public and private universities. What sets it apart? It places significant emphasis on student feedback and employability outcomes, making these crucial factors central to its evaluation methodology.
The launch of the AppliedHE ALL ASIA Rankings was a highlight of the AppliedHE Xchange, an annual conference held at Sunway University. This event brings together leading figures in higher education, policymakers, and industry partners from across Asia and beyond, fostering collaboration and innovation.
This new ranking emerges in response to a growing demand for a more meaningful and student-focused way to assess the quality of higher education in Asia. By differentiating between public and private institutions and prioritizing real-world results, the rankings aim to provide a more balanced and equitable assessment of institutional performance within a diverse and rapidly changing higher education landscape. Think of it this way: Comparing a massive, publicly funded research powerhouse to a smaller, privately run university focused on specific industry skills is like comparing apples and oranges. This new ranking aims to give each institution a fair shake based on its mission and resources.
A total of 493 universities from 41 Asian countries were successfully ranked in this year's edition. Institutions were evaluated using a rigorous and balanced methodology that considers six key dimensions: Community Engagement, Employability, Student Satisfaction, Research Excellence, Internationalisation, and Peer Recognition. These indicators collectively ensure that the AppliedHE ALL ASIA ranking reflects not only academic strength but also the broader student experience and the societal value contributed by both public and private universities throughout the region. This holistic approach aims to capture the full picture of what a university offers, from its impact on the local community to its contribution to global research.
Indonesia leads the way with 73 ranked universities, followed by the Philippines with 60 and Malaysia with 44. India is represented by 29 universities, while South Korea has 28 institutions on the list. Importantly, all six regions of Asia are represented in the rankings, highlighting the broad distribution of access to quality higher education and the emergence of academic excellence from every corner of the continent. This underscores the fact that quality education isn't confined to a few elite institutions but is becoming increasingly accessible across Asia.
In the overall results, Yonsei University claimed the top spot among private universities in Asia, with Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) and Korea University close behind. On the public university side, the University of Hong Kong secured the highest ranking, followed by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Peking University from Mainland China. Sunway University continues to be the top-ranking private university in Southeast Asia, ranking 6th in Asia overall, while the National University of Singapore ranked as the top public university in the region. And this is the part most people miss... these rankings are not just about prestige; they reflect a university's commitment to student success and real-world impact.
These outcomes reflect a dynamic and competitive higher education landscape in Asia, where both public and private institutions are demonstrating strong performance, regional leadership, and global relevance. The success of both types of institutions underscores the diverse approaches to higher education that are thriving in the region.
Top 10: ALL ASIA Private Universities
- Yonsei University – South Korea
- Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) – South Korea
- Korea University – South Korea
- Hanyang University – South Korea
- Waseda University – Japan
- Sunway University – Malaysia
- Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) – South Korea
- American University of Sharjah – United Arab Emirates
- UCSI University – Malaysia
- Kyung Hee University – South Korea
Top 10: ALL ASIA Public Universities
- The University of Hong Kong – Hong Kong SAR
- National University of Singapore (NUS) – Singapore
- Peking University – Mainland China
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – Singapore
- King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) – Saudi Arabia
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) – Hong Kong SAR
- Tsinghua University – Mainland China
- City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) – Hong Kong SAR
- Qatar University – Qatar
- Fudan University – Mainland China
An Asia-Rooted, Student- and Employability-Focused Alternative
AppliedHE was founded in 2020 by Ms. Mandy Mok, a seasoned expert in international university rankings and university improvement strategies, recognized for her expertise in global branding and marketing for higher education. Based in Singapore, AppliedHE has a clear mission: to serve students, families, employers, and society by focusing on what matters most – employability, quality teaching and learning, and real-world engagement. Ms. Mok's vision is to create a ranking system that is truly relevant to the needs of students and the demands of the modern workforce.
"AppliedHE was started because we saw an important gap – university rankings often don't reflect what really matters to students and the communities they live in," said Mandy Mok, Founder & CEO of AppliedHE. "With ALL ASIA, we're creating an Asia-rooted, globally trusted ranking that listens to students, focuses on employability and real-life outcomes – not just reputation – and, importantly, separates public and private universities so that comparisons are fairer and more meaningful." This statement highlights the core philosophy behind AppliedHE's approach: prioritizing student success and real-world impact over traditional metrics of prestige.
Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President and Vice Chancellor of Sunway University, commented, "The AppliedHE ALL ASIA ranking highlights the depth and diversity of excellence across Asian universities. For Sunway University, being recognised among the region's leading institutions affirms our purpose as a mission-driven 5th generation university, committed to empowering impactful research, building meaningful partnerships, and developing talent for the world. Hosting the AppliedHE Xchange reflects our shared commitment and underscores the importance of institutions coming together to advance a better tomorrow for future generations." Professor Poppema's endorsement further validates the significance of AppliedHE's approach and its potential to drive positive change in higher education.
Public and Private: Recognising Asia's Full Higher Education Ecosystem
Unlike most international rankings, which either focus primarily on public universities or combine both sectors into a single list, the AppliedHE Public & Private University Rankings: ALL ASIA 2026 deliberately separates public and private universities into two parallel rankings. This is a crucial distinction because it acknowledges the fundamental differences in the missions and funding models of these institutions.
This approach:
- Recognizes the distinct missions and funding models of public and private institutions
- Provides fairer benchmarking within each category
- Highlights the critical role of private universities in expanding access, innovation, and industry-linked programmes across Asia
"Asia's higher education landscape is powered by both sectors," said Professor Kevin Downing, Chair of the AppliedHE Ranking Committee. "Public universities often carry national mandates, while private universities are agile pioneers in education innovation, employability, internationalisation, and industry partnerships. ALL ASIA is designed to honour both – side by side, on their own terms." This statement underscores the importance of recognizing the unique contributions of both public and private universities to the overall higher education ecosystem in Asia.
The Only Asian Ranking Built on Student Voices
A key differentiator of ALL ASIA is the systematic inclusion of student and alumni voices through structured surveys on:
- Teaching & learning experience
- Support services and campus life
- Career guidance and employability support
- Online and blended learning quality
These student-based indicators are integrated into the overall score, ensuring that the lived experiences of learners are reflected in how universities are recognized. This commitment to incorporating student feedback is what truly sets AppliedHE apart. But does this reliance on student surveys open the door to bias? What happens when student expectations are unrealistic or when universities are unfairly judged based on subjective experiences? This is a conversation worth having.
So, what do you think? Is AppliedHE's new ranking system a step in the right direction? Does prioritizing student voices and employability truly reflect the value of a university education? Share your thoughts in the comments below! We want to know if you agree with this new approach or if you think other factors should be considered more heavily. Let's start a discussion!
