Missile-damaged Weizmann Institute still leads Israeli universities in Shanghai Rankings
TAU and Hebrew University also hold their ground in the global top 100.
Three Israeli universities have once again been ranked among the world’s top 100 in the prestigious Shanghai Ranking, but all three slipped in position compared to last year. According to the ranking published on Friday, the Weizmann Institute, which suffered significant damage from missile strikes during the Iran war, fell slightly from 69th place in 2024 to 71st this year (it ranked 68th in 2023). The Hebrew University dropped from 81st place in 2024 to 88th this year (86th in 2023). The Technion registered the steepest decline, falling from 83rd place to 97th, after ranking 79th in 2023.
Rankings for other Israeli universities placed below the top 100, starting from 101st place, are expected to be released later Friday. Having three universities in the global top 100 is still considered a notable achievement for a country of just 10 million people, positioning Israel among the leaders in global academia.
The Shanghai Ranking, published annually since 2003, evaluates the research performance of more than 2,500 universities worldwide based on multiple criteria. These include the number of Nobel and Fields Medal winners among researchers and alumni, the volume of scientific articles published in top-tier journals such as Nature and Science, and other research-related metrics. The list publicly highlights the top 1,000 institutions.
One reason for the strong standing of Israeli universities is the relatively high number of Nobel Prize and Fields Medal laureates in the country. Another factor is that, in recent years, universities have made deliberate efforts to align their output with ranking criteria, for example, by targeting publications in leading academic journals.
Over the past three years, Israeli academia has faced mounting challenges, including political interference, particularly from Education Minister Yoav Kisch, and, in the past two years, an increase in international boycotts. Still, the ranking reflects long-term trends and achievements built over decades. However, if the threat to exclude Israel from the European Union’s prestigious Horizon research grant program materializes, it could significantly damage international collaborations and lead to a sharp decline in rankings.
Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University, said: “The achievement of Israeli academia, with three institutions in the top 100, is particularly impressive in a challenging period, when we are facing unprecedented attacks on the international stage.”
The Technion emphasized that its standing is especially significant because the Shanghai methodology tends to favor larger universities. When adjusted for faculty size, the Technion ranks 28th in the world. The institution has been in the top 100 every year since 2012 (except for 2020).
“Preserving the standing of science and technology in Israel is a national mission of tremendous importance,” said Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, “and it has been especially challenging this year, when we faced missile attacks from Iran and Lebanon targeting the Technion campus, and the absence of hundreds of academic and administrative staff and graduate students who were called up for hundreds of days of reserve duty. The Technion’s research and scientific excellence is our answer to boycotts against Israel on campuses in North America, Europe, and Australia, and it is proof of the resilience of the Technion family.”
Prof. Sivan added: “Maintaining the Technion’s place among the world’s top 100 academic institutions is the result of a joint effort by the academic staff, administrative staff, and Technion management. It is built on international collaborations that endure in the face of academic boycotts and calls to sever ties with Israeli universities. Our main resources are our outstanding human capital and the resilience we demonstrate in the face of challenges and war. We congratulate our fellow Israeli institutions in the top 100 – the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Weizmann Institute of Science – partners in advancing and fostering Israeli science.”
