UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) has reaffirmed its position as a leading university by receiving the prestigious QS Performance Improvement Award from Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in Seoul, South Korea. This award recognizes UNS’s significant and consistent rise in the QS World University Rankings (WUR): Asia over the past five years.
The award was presented directly to UNS Rector, Prof. Dr. Hartono, dr., M.Sc., at the welcoming dinner for the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025 held at Korea University on Tuesday evening, November 4, 2025, local time. At this event, QS also released the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026, with UNS ranked 168th.
Spectacular Ranking Surge
UNS’s ranking improvement in the QS World University Rankings: Asia has made history. The data shows a remarkable upward trend. In the 2022 QS Asia University Rankings, UNS ranked 401–450. In the 2023 QS Asia University Rankings, UNS ranked 351–400. In the 2024 QS Asia University Rankings, UNS ranked 301–350. In the 2025 QS Asia University Rankings, UNS rose to 221st place. Meanwhile, in the 2026 QS Asia University Rankings, UNS rose significantly to 168th place.
This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire UNS academic community in improving the quality of education, research, and its global reputation.
“This QS Performance Improvement Award is a global recognition of the fighting spirit and collective commitment of the UNS DREAMTEAM. In a short time, UNS has proven that strategic collaboration and continuous innovation can propel an institution to greater heights. This meteoric rise in ranking, from 401–450 to 168th place in just five years, is clear evidence that UNS is on the right path to becoming a world-class university. We are determined not to stop here; this is a stepping stone to continuously enhancing UNS’s contribution and reputation on the global stage,” explained Prof. Hartono on the sidelines of the event.
QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025
The 2025 QS Higher Ed Summit is the leading platform in the Asia Pacific. For more than two decades, the QS Higher Ed Summit has brought together university leaders, higher education and business experts, and government officials to drive positive change in higher education. In 2025, the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific was attended by approximately 1,500 delegates from 136 educational institutions, businesses, and governments, with the theme “Advancing Generational Potential: Skills and Partnerships in the Asia Pacific.” Held in Seoul, South Korea, Korea University was chosen as the host for this year’s event.
In addition to receiving the award, UNS also took the opportunity to discuss the future of education, build networks, and establish partnerships with leading universities in Asia. UNS’s active participation in this global forum is expected to strengthen its internationalization efforts further.
The improved ranking aligns with UNS’s demonstrated achievement of SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. HUMAS UNS
