November 17, 2023

Star power on show at QS Higher Education Summit

UOW receives QS 5+ Star Rating Award at Asia Pacific event

The University of Wollongong (UOW) received its QS Stars Award at the QS Higher Education Summit: Asia Pacific in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. UOW Dean of Business Professor Grace McCarthy accepting the award on behalf of the University.

While at the Summit, Professor McCarthy chaired two panel discussions, one focused on the internationalisation of business schools and the opportunities and challenges it presents and the second about sustainability in business education and what that looks like in practice.  

Panellists included Professor Hon Wei Min from UOW Malaysia, Professor Shaheen Mansori, Malaysia University of Science and Technology, Professor Lim Wei Marc, Sunway Business School, Professor Hassan Abu Bakar, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Dr Priya Sharma, University of Monash Malaysia and Professor Leona Tam, UTS.

“Feedback from the panels was excellent with participants appreciating the diverse perspectives and insights shared,” Professor McCarthy said.

UOW was awarded a prestigious 5+ Star Rating by higher education analyst QS Quacquarelli Symonds earlier this year.

QS describes a 5+ star university as being not only world-class but also an elite destination that attracts the best students and faculty from around the globe, and that the brand name of such a university will transform the resume of anyone associated with it.

The QS Stars Rating System evaluates universities based on their performance in at least seven categories, focusing on areas that are important to students.

To attain the coveted 5+ Star Rating, UOW excelled in each of QS’s four core criteria: Teaching, Employability, Internationalisation, and Research. Additionally, UOW achieved 5 Stars in its chosen criteria of Learning Environment (Facilities), Innovation, Engagement, and Specialist Criteria.

The Specialist Criteria category included 5 Star ratings for UOW’s performance in its highest ranked subject area (mineral and mining engineering); for innovation (including patents, spin-off companies, industrial research collaborations, and support for innovation in students in the form of incubators); and inclusiveness (including disabled access, scholarships and bursaries, low-income outreach and student cohort diversity).

The QS Star Award reflects UOW’s dedication to delivering internationally recognised teaching, research and student engagement.

UOW received maximum scores for overall student satisfaction and satisfaction with teaching, reflecting its dedication to delivering a top-quality education. UOW also received top ratings for its employer reputation and career service support, further highlighting its commitment to preparing students for successful careers.

Additionally, UOW’s sports facilities, campus facilities, library facilities, and student clubs and societies received top marks, showcasing the University's commitment to providing a holistic and enriching student experience.

The University’s global outlook and robust performance in its offshore campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong and Malaysia were recognised through exceptional ratings in international collaborations, international diversity, and international support.

UOW's research quality, particularly in terms of citations and academic reputation, played a significant role in achieving this prestigious rating.

About QS Stars Ratings

QS Stars is a rating system developed by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a leading global higher education company. It provides a comprehensive evaluation of universities based on a range of criteria, enabling prospective students to make informed choices.