University of Queensland ranking drops – funding cuts blamed

QUEENSLAND’s most prestigious university has dropped in the international rankings as the organisation behind the list delivers a broadside to the Federal Government.

Former Education Minister Simon Birmingham had previously argued the universities were capable of finding efficiencies to deal with the funding freeze.

QUEENSLAND’S most prestigious university has dropped in international rankings as the organisation behind the list delivers a broadside to the Government over “funding cuts”.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, which delivers the annual findings, warned the two-year funding freeze handed down by the Coalition Government would see Australia fall further behind and chase off international students.

It found that while Australia has nine institutions in the top 200 universities, six of them were in decline.

This included the University of Queensland, which fell from 65th in the world to 69th.

Other Australian universities dropping in rank include Australian National University, University of WA and UNSW, while University of Sydney and University of Technology ­Sydney rose slightly.

The University of Queensland slipped down rankings for 65th in the world to 69th.

QUT and James Cook ­University remained steady in the top 201-250 ranking, as did Griffith in the top 251-300 ranking.

Global Rankings editor Ellie Bothwell said it was impossible to sustain “world-class universities” with funding cuts.

“As funding cuts take hold and pressure mounts to cap international student numbers – combined with intensifying competition from Asia – Australia’s universities could well face an uphill struggle in the coming years,” she said.

In December, the Government implemented changes, including freezing funding at 2017 levels for two years, ­saving $2.2 billion.

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said this was a stark warning and called for a reversal of funding cuts.

Former Education Minister Simon Birmingham had previously argued the universities were capable of finding efficiencies to deal with the funding freeze.