When Times Higher Education launched the Arab University Rankings three years ago, universities in the prosperous Gulf states were the leading lights. But this year, institutions outside that region are showing strong signs of progress, proving that they can shine just as brightly as their Saudi and Emirati counterparts, despite facing tough economic, social and political challenges.

This year’s edition of the THE Arab University Rankings features Egypt and Jordan in the Top 10, with both countries achieving their highest positions yet, as explored  in THE’s main analysis. As a result, the Gulf no longer has a monopoly in that elite group at the summit.

Meanwhile, Iraq is now the most-represented country in the list, which reflects the research, teaching, internationalisation and societal impact of more than 230 universities across 16 countries. One of those nations, Syria, features for the first time, while Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon and Bahrain all have new national number ones.

About one-sixth of places in the table are claimed by universities that are newly ranked when compared with last year. The five highest-ranked newcomers are from Bahrain, Morocco, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Despite the increasing diversity in the ranking, there is no denying Saudi Arabia’s grip is at the very top of the table — at least for now.

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