 | |
| Formation | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Type | Education and research |
| Headquarters | Birmingham, United Kingdom |
Region served | Global |
Provost | Jenny Dixon |
| Website | U21 Universitas21 |
Universitas 21 (U21) is an international network of research-intensive universities. [1] [2] [3] Founded in Melbourne, Australia in 1997 with 11 members, it has grown to include twenty-nine member universities in nineteen countries and territories. [4] [5]
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The universities collaborate on student experience[ clarification needed ], researcher engagement[ clarification needed ] and educational innovation.[ clarification needed ] It offers various student competitions including the Three Minute Thesis (3MT), the U21/PwC Innovation Challenge and the RISE (Real Impact on Society and Environment) Showcase.
Since 2012, Universitas 21 has commissioned the "U21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems". Produced by researchers at the University of Melbourne, this ranking aims to show which countries create a "strong environment" that allows universities to contribute to growth, provide a high-quality student experience and help institutions compete globally. [6] It evaluates the standing of national higher education systems by providing rankings in four broad areas: resources, environment, connectivity and output. The rankings are then combined to provide an overall ranking. [7] The ranking is then adjusted by GDP per capita, which allows countries to be compared to others at a similar stage of economic development. [8] The 2013 study, which serves as the primary reference for the Universitas 21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems, reveals that countries with high output rankings generally demonstrate strong resource indicators. It further establishes a positive correlation between research output and government funding, specifically in research and development (R&D). [9]
Universitas 21 has Consultative Status with the Economic & Social Affairs Council (ECOSOC). [10]
