QS World University Rankings - Top 500 – KPI Status Overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Baseline | 1 university (2018) |
| Current | 5 universities |
| Target 2030 | 3 universities |
| Target 2040 | 4 universities |
| Status | Ahead |
Trajectory Analysis
Oman now has five universities in the QS top-500 rankings, surpassing both the 2030 target of three and the 2040 target of four. Sultan Qaboos University leads, supported by rising entries from the University of Technology and Applied Sciences and several private institutions. This over-performance reflects strategic investment in research output and internationalisation. The challenge now shifts from quantity to quality: moving these universities higher within the top 500 and ensuring sustainable ranking positions.
Risk Factors
Maintaining and improving rankings requires sustained research funding, which is vulnerable to fiscal austerity. Faculty recruitment competition from wealthier GCC institutions could erode quality. Ranking methodologies change periodically, introducing volatility. Some entries may be near the 500th-place boundary and vulnerable to slippage.
Positive Signals
The Oman Research Council grants programme has boosted publication output significantly. International collaboration agreements have expanded across multiple disciplines. Student-to-faculty ratios are improving. Research infrastructure investment is yielding measurable output gains.
Methodology Note
Count of Omani higher-education institutions ranked within the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings, published annually by Quacquarelli Symonds. Rankings are based on academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, and other metrics.
This tracker is updated quarterly by the Oman Vision 2040 Research Unit. Data sources include NCSI, the Central Bank of Oman, the World Bank, and relevant international organisations. Methodological notes are provided for transparency; users should consult primary sources for the most current figures.