(Edmonton) The University of Alberta has landed itself in the top 100 in all five of the QS World University Rankings' first-ever ranking of individual technical subjects.
These individual information technology and engineering ranks were divided along natural groupings, which included: mechanical, aeronautical and manufacturing, civil and structural engineering, computer science and information systems, chemical engineering and electrical engineering.
To date, no specific rank has been given to the institutions that were ranked between 51 and 100. Within each individual indicator, science and information systems at the U of A scored high marks for employer reputation and citations, while academic reputation for the U of A's civil engineering program edged out the U of A's academic reputation for work done in chemical engineering.
"These rankings are a strong indication that we are making an impact in the global academic community," said U of A President Indira Samarasekera. "Although this is only one component of several benchmarks that we use to measure our progress, I am encouraged to see that our excellence in computer science and information systems; civil and structural engineering; chemical engineering; electrical engineering and mechanical, aeronautical and manufacturing are receiving international attention."
According to QS World University Rankings officials, the ranking by subject responds to a need for comparative data that looks at specific areas of expertise in the institutions. As its centrepiece, the ranking uses academic reputation, which is gathered thanks to a short survey of more than 15,000 academics. Relevant employers are also polled about their recruitment tendencies. The ranking also factors in citations per paper.
In 2010, the overall QS World University Ranking had the U of A ranked 78th in the world, with a ranking of 74th in the category of engineering and IT.