emirates7 - Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has reached a significant milestone in the QS World University Rankings 2026, soaring 110 places to secure the 391st position globally and earning a distinguished spot among the world’s top 400 universities.
This major advancement highlights ADU’s dedication to offering world-class academic programmes and fostering cutting-edge research, strengthening its reputation as a top-tier institution in higher education.
At the regional level, ADU has risen to fifth place among 12 UAE-based universities, improving by two spots compared to the previous year. This progress comes in the wake of enhanced data validation methods adopted by QS, aimed at improving data accuracy and the credibility of reputation-based indicators. The university demonstrated strong performance across multiple metrics, with marked gains in employer and academic reputation, as well as citations per faculty—reflecting its growing role in research, thought leadership, and graduate employability.
Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of ADU, stated, “Our upward trajectory in the QS World University Rankings is the result of years of focused strategic planning and academic investment. With each passing year, we continue to move up the rankings, driven by our dedication to academic excellence, impactful research, and global partnerships. Reaching the top 400 globally is a testament to the quality and relevance of our programmes on the international stage. We remain steadfast in our mission to develop future leaders who will drive innovation and contribute meaningfully to the UAE’s development and beyond.”
He further expressed appreciation for the university community: “This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of our students, faculty, researchers, and staff, to whom I extend my heartfelt thanks.”
The QS World University Rankings remain one of the most respected global measures of institutional performance, continuously refining their methodology to better capture the broad impact of universities—factoring in reputation, sustainability, diversity, and international engagement.
ADU’s strong results across these dimensions reflect its inclusive ethos, vibrant academic environment, and commitment to social progress, all of which align with the UAE’s Year of Community initiative, promoting cohesive and knowledge-driven communities.
This major advancement highlights ADU’s dedication to offering world-class academic programmes and fostering cutting-edge research, strengthening its reputation as a top-tier institution in higher education.
At the regional level, ADU has risen to fifth place among 12 UAE-based universities, improving by two spots compared to the previous year. This progress comes in the wake of enhanced data validation methods adopted by QS, aimed at improving data accuracy and the credibility of reputation-based indicators. The university demonstrated strong performance across multiple metrics, with marked gains in employer and academic reputation, as well as citations per faculty—reflecting its growing role in research, thought leadership, and graduate employability.
Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of ADU, stated, “Our upward trajectory in the QS World University Rankings is the result of years of focused strategic planning and academic investment. With each passing year, we continue to move up the rankings, driven by our dedication to academic excellence, impactful research, and global partnerships. Reaching the top 400 globally is a testament to the quality and relevance of our programmes on the international stage. We remain steadfast in our mission to develop future leaders who will drive innovation and contribute meaningfully to the UAE’s development and beyond.”
He further expressed appreciation for the university community: “This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of our students, faculty, researchers, and staff, to whom I extend my heartfelt thanks.”
The QS World University Rankings remain one of the most respected global measures of institutional performance, continuously refining their methodology to better capture the broad impact of universities—factoring in reputation, sustainability, diversity, and international engagement.
ADU’s strong results across these dimensions reflect its inclusive ethos, vibrant academic environment, and commitment to social progress, all of which align with the UAE’s Year of Community initiative, promoting cohesive and knowledge-driven communities.