The University of Dhaka has retained its position as Bangladesh’s top-ranked university in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2027, although it slipped four places to 136th in the regional rankings compared with last year.
The rankings were released by international higher education ranking agency Quacquarelli Symonds, featuring more than 1,720 universities across 26 higher education systems.
North South University ranked second among Bangladeshi universities, retaining its 149th position in Asia, while the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology placed third nationally after dropping 14 places to 179th.
A total of 52 Bangladeshi universities featured in this year’s rankings, taking the country’s representation above 50 for the first time. In comparison, only two Bangladeshi universities were included in 2017.
According to the report, 12 Bangladeshi universities improved their positions, seven retained their previous rankings, and 27 slipped, while six institutions made their debut.
However, the number of Bangladeshi universities among Asia’s top 500 fell from 16 last year to 14, highlighting broader institutional challenges across the sector.
Daffodil International University advanced five places to 216th, and BRAC University dropped 11 places to 271st. Jahangirnagar and Rajshahi universities also saw declines in regional standing.
The QS report noted that Bangladeshi universities performed relatively well in the citations per paper indicator, with three local institutions ranking among Asia’s top 10 in this category.
Conversely, the report highlighted persistent weaknesses in faculty-student ratios, the proportion of academic staff holding PhDs, and international exchange programs.
Why it matters
The QS rankings provide a benchmark for higher education performance and institutional competitiveness in Bangladesh.