Keywords:
university rankings
developing countries
teaching quality
social impact

  • Abstract

    University rankings serve as crucial tools for evaluating and comparing the quality of higher education institutions worldwide. This study examines the impact of global university rankings on the strategic choices made by higher education institutions, with a focus on developing countries such as Vietnam. This study investigates rankings, including QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and Webometrics, and analyzes their emphasis on research output, internationalization, and reputation, frequently at the expense of teaching quality and community engagement. The reviewed literature comprises peer-reviewed articles and studies published from 2010--2023, emphasizing Vietnamese universities such as Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, which encounter difficulties in reconciling global competitiveness with local educational objectives. The findings demonstrate that global rankings tend to favor universities with robust research infrastructures and extensive international networks, resulting in disparities between well-funded institutions and those with limited resources. While emerging trends such as contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are becoming more prominent, research metrics continue to be the primary determinants. The study concludes that existing ranking systems fail to adequately represent the broader objectives of universities in developing countries, especially those emphasizing local impact.

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Nguyen, K. V., Cao, T. A., Nguyen-Duong, B.-T., & Huynh, S. V. (2024). Influence of global university rankings on strategic decisions at Ho Chi Minh City university of education in balancing global competitiveness and local educational goals. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 8(4), 2025124. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025124
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