Colombo Uni top-ranked across four global university rankings
View(s):The University of Colombo (UoC) has been recognised as the top-ranked university in Sri Lanka across all four major global university rankings: Times Higher Education World Rankings, QS World Rankings, Scimago Institutions Rankings, and Webometrics Rankings.
In the QS World University Rankings 2025, UoC has improved its global position, moving up from the 1,001-1,200 range to a spot between 951 and 1,000. The university’s strong performance in the Webometrics Ranking 2024 is also noteworthy, as it maintained its top position among Lankan universities in both the first and second editions of these rankings.
UOC Senior Professor H.D. Karunarathne
Speaking to Education Times, University of Colombo Vice Chancellor Senior Professor H D Karunarathne, said several factors contributed to the university’s impressive ranking. One is the impact of its online content, as reflected in Scimago’s ranking, which measures citations in well-known Google Scholar profiles and highly-cited publications between 2019 and 2023. UoC publishes 640 journal articles annually, and these contributions are critical to its reputation and ranking.
The university’s internationalisation efforts have also played a significant role. In 2021, UoC hosted fewer than 60 international students, but this number has since grown to 396 students, primarily from China, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Nigeria. The increase in international students is partly due to partnerships with universities like Tsinghua University in China, which have bolstered UoC’s global profile and contributed to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.
According to Prof Karunarathne, graduate employability is another strong factor in UoC’s ranking. Research indicates that 96% of UoC graduates secure employment within three months of completing their studies. The university’s ability to attract top students, particularly in its Medicine and Law Faculties, is crucial. These faculties require the highest z-scores for enrollment, ensuring that UoC consistently admits the best students from the national pool.
UoC’s commitment to responsible management and inclusivity is another factor behind its success. The university has introduced initiatives such as the “digital tree inventory,” which promotes greenery on campus by embedding QR codes that provide detailed information about each tree. Additionally, UoC is the only Lankan university with a dedicated centre for students with disabilities, housing 96 students. The university also prioritises women-oriented programmes aimed at empowering women in society, added Prof Karunarathne.
Financial sustainability has also been a focus for UoC, with 67% of its expenditures being self-generated, primarily through its extensive Master’s degree programmes. The university offers over 453 courses to around 13,000 students, contributing significantly to its revenue. UoC has also prioritised agriculture, with its Institute for Agro-technology and Rural Sciences in Hambantota providing education to 300 farmers daily.
Despite its achievements, Prof Karunarathne said that UoC faces challenges, particularly in securing adequate government support for its development. The Government aims to increase student enrollment by 10% annually, but necessary funding has not kept pace. Additionally, the university is experiencing a shortage of staff as highly skilled academics emigrate in search of better opportunities. However, UoC is working to address these issues, including through international collaborations with entities such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Japanese Embassy, he asserted.
Established in 1921, UoC has built a strong reputation for research, innovation, and teaching excellence. It serves over 43,000 students, offering a wide range of extracurricular activities and resources. Its location in the heart of Colombo provides students with access to international information centres, libraries, theatres, and sports complexes, further enhancing the university experience. Despite the challenges, UoC’s commitment to academic excellence and research continues to place it among the best universities in Sri Lanka.
- Nathara Abeywickrema
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