Khaberni - Written by: Dr. Ahmed Mansour
Arab higher education has witnessed a qualitative transformation in recent years, evident in the results of the Times Global University Rankings for 2026, which showed significant progress in the presence of Arab universities on the map of international higher education. Twenty-three Arab universities managed to enter the list of the top 500 universities in the world, a number that reflects the rising academic and research performance in the region, especially in the Gulf countries and Jordan.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia leads the Arab world in this ranking with nine Saudi universities in the top 500, six of which are ranked among the top 400 universities globally, and three in the 401-500 category. This achievement is due to the Saudi higher education policies that have focused over the past decade on investment in scientific research, innovation, digital transformation, and academic governance according to advanced global standards; thus, Saudi universities have become a model to be emulated in international academic competition today.
The United Arab Emirates has continued its upward trajectory in the ranking, with seven UAE universities among the top 500 in the world, including four universities in category (400), reflecting the maturity of the UAE university system based on diversifying educational models, opening up to international partnerships, and enhancing the indicators of "global outlook" and "research citations," which are cornerstones in the Times ranking methodology.
In Jordan, a notably high-quality performance has emerged this year, with two Jordanian universities listed in category 401 – 500, led by Amman Al-Ahliyya University, which achieved an advanced leading position in category (401-450) globally, thereby affirming its status as one of the most prominent rising universities in the Middle East.
The university has succeeded in creating a unique balance between globality and high-quality research performance, through empowering qualified academic leaders, fostering a culture of teamwork and family spirit, alongside its focus on applied research and innovation in sustainability, technology, and health. This achievement represents a strategic step in the journey of Jordanian higher education towards internationalism and reflects Amman Al-Ahliyya University's vision in enhancing institutional excellence and prudent academic governance.
On the other hand, the ranking witnessed a diverse yet limited Arab presence in some countries. The American University in Beirut, Lebanon, and Mohammed V University in Morocco, have maintained their positions among the top 400 global universities, while universities from Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman joined the 401-500 category, reflecting growing national efforts to develop higher education systems in these countries. Despite the absence of other Arab countries such as Egypt, Iraq, Algeria, and Tunisia from the top five hundred ranks, they still possess the academic and research capabilities qualified for a return to the global ranking map once a sustainable research environment and consistent scientific funding are available.
A deeper reading of this year's results reveals that over 70% of the Arab universities ranked among the top 500 are located in the Gulf; confirming that the academic gravity center in the Arab world is shifting towards the Gulf region thanks to government support and modern educational policies. There is also an improvement in performance indicators related to international scientific publishing, academic collaboration, and industry income, reflecting a shift from symbolic participation to actual competition at the higher ranks.
These results not only reflect numerical achievements but also signify a cultural transformation in Arab universities' understanding of the importance of global rankings as a tool for self-assessment and quality motivation; being in the Times ranking is no longer an end in itself, but rather an indicator of effective institutional governance, research output quality, and the extent of impact on society and the economy.
It is clear that the future holds promising opportunities for Arab universities if they continue to embrace clear strategies focused on funding scientific research, developing skills, activating governance according to governance principles, managing risks, and building Arab and international cooperation networks to enhance knowledge integration between academic institutions.
In the end, the Times Global Ranking 2026 reflects a new phase in the journey of Arab higher education, a phase in which Arab universities have transitioned from "presence" to "impact," and from "dependence" to "competition"; and Amman Al-Ahliyya University has proven in this context that clear vision, empowering leadership, and team-based responsibility can create an Arab model to be emulated in global academic and research excellence.
* The Strategic Expert for Global Rankings
