Romania, absent from the Shanghai Ranking for the fourth consecutive year

2026-08-15

Universities in Romania are no longer present in the prestigious Shanghai Ranking, one of the most important academic rankings worldwide. This situation has persisted for four years, while neighboring countries are managing to maintain or improve their positions in the higher education hierarchy.

Unlike Romania, Poland has managed to achieve notable results, currently having seven universities included in this international ranking. This difference highlights a growing gap in terms of academic performance and the quality of scientific research between university systems in the region.

The Shanghai Ranking evaluates higher education institutions based on strict criteria, such as the number of articles published in prestigious scientific journals, the number of citations, and the awards won by researchers or alumni. The absence of Romanian universities from this top list indicates difficulties in aligning with international research standards.

Education experts emphasize that this prolonged absence could affect the attractiveness of Romanian universities for foreign students and global academic partnerships. At the same time, education authorities are challenged to find solutions to increase investment in research and to support long-term academic performance.

In conclusion, the current situation represents a wake-up call for the Romanian university environment. Returning to prestigious international rankings requires a clear strategy, supported by adequate financial resources and a reform of how scientific activity is evaluated within faculties.