For the second consecutive year, South Korea’s Pohang University of Science and Technology heads a list of the world’s top 100 universities under 50 years vintage. The UK’s “plate-glass” universities have lost ground. Founded in 1986, Pohang — better known as Postech — retains its top spot in Times Higher Education’s second annual 100 Under 50 Rankings, comfortably ahead of Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in second place. Postech’s national rival, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kaist), rises from fifth to third, while the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) drops one place to fourth. Only one UK institution — the University of York, at #7 — makes the top 10, compared with three last year. After York, the highest-placed UK institutions are the University of Warwick (#13), Lancaster University (#14) and the University of East Anglia (#16). Overall, however, the UK still has the most representatives in THE’s Under 50 list, with 18 in the top 100 institutions. This is down from 20 last year, although one of 2012’s entrants —Keele University — is now too old to be included in the ranking. Other strong national systems include Australia (13 institutions), the US (eight), France (seven), Spain (six) and Taiwan (five). But South Korea’s #1 and #3 spots make it the “star” of this year’s list, says Phil Baty, editor of Times Higher Education Rankings. “South Korea’s experience shows that it is possible for nations with sufficient political will to build in a relatively short time, world-class universities that can compete with the traditional elites in the US and the UK,” says Baty. Overall, 28 countries make the list, eight of them in the top 10. THE’s 100 Under 50 is based on the same 13 performance indicators covering teaching, research, interaction with industry and internationalisation that underpin THE’s World University Rankings, although academic reputation is less significant. The ranking provides a fresh perspective on the concept of the “elite university”, which some believe better reflects past glories and reputation built up over centuries than current academic excellence. Unsurprisingly, although the Sharif University of Technology, Iran is included among the global Top 100, not even one under-50 Indian varsity makes the league table. Bond proposal ends policy stability Universities have accused the government of reneging on a promise to deliver a period of “policy stability” on visas, after plans were revealed that could lead to bonds being demanded from international students to ensure they don’t overstay. From November, under a pilot scheme, some visitors to the UK from “high-risk” countries could be asked to provide a bond worth hundreds of pounds, which will be returned only if they leave on time. The eventual scope of the pilot and size of the bond — intially reported as £3,000 (Rs.2.7 lakh) — are unclear after reports that prime minister David Cameron had not signed off the policy. However, a Home Office spokeswoman said in the longer term “ministers are interested in extending the principle to all visa types, including…
