Pompeu Fabra improves its position in the QS global ranking
Contra el genocidi i contra la violació dels drets humans, a Gaza i arreu del món
Peace comes when you talk to the person you most hate. And that’s where the courage of a leader comes.
Desmond Tutu (1931-2021), first recipient of an honorary doctorate from UPF
These words, spoken by Desmond Tutu, the first person ever to be awarded an honorary doctorate by UPF, are more applicable today than ever. The UPF condemns, and will always condemn, the use of violence to settle disputes. At UPF, we advocate approaching political or territorial conflicts based on dialogue and respect for all peoples and minorities.
As a university, we also want to show our support to the academic community in countries at war. Universities and scientific institutions are more necessary than ever in these regions. Access to education and the promotion of critical thinking, in the context of strong independent institutions, are the way to ensure the informed debate and reflection that can open the door to new avenues for finding solutions.
At UPF, we are aware of the university community’s concern for the human rights violations we are seeing in the conflicts around us. That is why on this website you will find information about campaigns and actions related to current conflicts, as well as opinion pieces and institutional statements. We also offer a dedicated e-mail address – [email protected] – to contact the university and let us know about your interests and concerns.
Pompeu Fabra improves its position in the QS global ranking
UPF, which stands out for the number of citations and percentage of international teaching staff, moves up from 298th to 285th position, and ranks 120th in Europe.
Pompeu Fabra University has risen thirteen places compared to the previous year in the QS World University Rankings 2020, which includes the 1000 best universities in the world. It moves up from 298th to 285th position, and is one of four of the State’s 27 institutions included in the list to improve their position.
According to the sixteenth edition of this ranking, produced by the international higher education consultant QS Quacquarelli Symonds, UPF ranks sixth in Spain (last year it ranked eighth) and 120th in Europe (last year it came 128th).
UPF tops the indicator in Spain for the number of citations received by its researchers’ articles
As in the previous edition, Pompeu Fabra University tops the Indicator in Spain for the number of citations received by its researchers’ articles (ranked 178th in the overall ranking). It is also noteworthy for the percentage of international teaching staff (ranked 263rd, the first public Spanish university behind Ramon Llull University).
Three US universities hold the top positions in the ranking: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (for the eighth consecutive year), Stanford University, and Harvard University, followed by Oxford University, which is the first European institution to appear. At national level, the podium is completed by the University of Barcelona, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and the Autonomous University of Madrid.
Ranking indicators and UPF scores
Out of a maximum of 100 points, UPF has obtained an average of 35, among the six indicators that make up the ranking: academic reputation (31.6), number of citations (55.6), ratio between teachers and students (17.3), reputation of employers (30.9), percentage of international teaching staff (66.3), and percentage of international students (25.8).
QS gives a different weight to each of the indicators: academic reputation (40%) is obtained from a survey completed by academics, who evaluate the best universities in their field; the number of citations (20%) measures the average number of citations received by articles by the lecturers of an institution and serve to assess the quality and impact of the scientific work carried out by the universities.
The remaining indicators are the reputation of employers, (10%) obtained from a survey, this time addressing companies from all over the world that evaluate the university institutions that best train professionals; the percentage of international teaching staff over total teaching staff (5%), and the percentage of international students over total students (5%).
Related Assets
Catalan government
Catalan development cooperation aims to help prevent and respond to emergency situations. This page explains how you can collaborate on the provision of foreign aid both in general and to specific regions.
European Commission
Through cooperation and assistance programmes, the European Commission offers humanitarian aid and coordinates efforts with other international actors to promote peace and stability in war-torn regions.
Oxfam Intermón
Oxfam Intermón works in 90 countries. They have launched a fundraising campaign, which is more necessary than ever, given the magnitude of today’s wars. The NGO is also sponsoring a campaign to collect signatures to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is a medical-humanitarian action organization that provides assistance in 70 countries to people threatened by armed conflicts, violence, epidemics or neglected diseases, natural disasters and exclusion from medical care. They have also promoted a campaign to collect signatures to ask for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Red Cross
The Red Cross also provides emergency humanitarian aid in regions in crisis.
Legal Clinic
The UPF Legal Clinic regularly holds talks and roundtables on the protection of human rights in crisis regions.
Libraries Without Borders
The Libraries Without Borders programme, sponsored by the Catalan Development Cooperation Agency (ACCD), offers Catalan public library patrons knowledge and insight into situations of human rights violations and provides resources to take action.
Council for At-Risk Academics
The Council for At-Risk Academics, in partnership with universities and higher education institutions, provides urgently-needed help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile, and many who choose to work on in their home countries despite serious risks.