DLSU falls behind peers in 2014 QS World Rankings

For the fourth consecutive year, DLSU slid down the Quacquarelli Symonds’ (QS) World University Rankings, with the University sinking to the 651-700 group. Other Philippine universities such as the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines rose to the 461-470 group and 367th spot, respectively. The University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, remains in the 701+ bracket.

In retrospect

The University first appeared on the world rankings back in 2007, placing 519 among the top 800 schools. DLSU later rose to as high as 401-500 in 2008 and 2009 before experiencing a steady annual decline.

On the other hand, DLSU’s rankings in Asia seem to parallel the world results, with the University consistently trailing behind its peers. This year, DLSU remained in the 151-160 range of the Asian version for the second year in a row. None of DLSU’s programs also qualified to be a part of this year’s QS University Subject Rankings.

Does it matter?

Though the listing has been used as benchmark among world-class institutions, DLSU has never actively participated in the rankings. Some criteria in the rankings involve evaluations done by QS, which requires the participating institutions to pay a fee. Because DLSU chooses not to pay the charge, the overall ranking of the school is affected as certain survey indices have missing values.

DLSU’s non-participation is not without basis, since it is the University’s policy not to participate in these surveys.

In an article published by The LaSallian last June 2013, then DLSU President and Chancellor Br. Ricky Laguda FSC stressed that the QS Rankings do not provide a holistic assessment of academic institutions, but nonetheless emphasized its importance in further improving the quality of education DLSU provides.

“These survey results may give us an idea of what else we can do in order to be a better Lasallian educational institution. The survey is not the end but only a means to understand ourselves better,” he concluded.

For the complete QS World University Rankings 2014 list, visit their website at this link.

ERRATUM: The University first appeared on the world rankings back in 2006, placing 392 among the then top 500 schools. DLSU was also the highest ranking Philippine private university in the said listing.