Egyptian Universities in Knowledge Society and Improving their Ranking in the World University Rankings

Abstract

The aim of the current research was to identify the most prominent World Rankings, explaining the criteria and indicators on which each ranking is based, and to clarify the role of universities in the knowledge society, and the relation of this society to World Rankings; in order to improve universities rankings in light of the knowledge society. To this aim, the descriptive method was adopted in this research. The research covered the most important World University Rankings: the Shanghai, Webometrics, QS and Times due to their spread and reputation in the international academic community, presenting their criteria and indicators. The research tackled also the role of universities in the knowledge society and its relationship to the World Rankings. Finally, the research addressed how to improve the university rankings in three axes: human resources, scientific research and information and communication technology. Human resources, which represent faculty members and researchers, can improve the ranking of universities through preparing faculty members and researchers at the educational, research and experimental level, and rehabilitating and developing their language, technical and academic skills. As for scientific research, universities ranking can be improved through encouraging international publication in specialized scientific journals, establishing specialized research centers and promoting interdisciplinary research; which creates an innovative and creative environment conducive to excellence. With regard to information technology, universities ranking can be improved through the management of electronic references and information, modernization of electronic portals of universities, and building digital content of the courses and transforming them into interactive electronic courses.