The new Universitas 21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems is out, and Canada has placed third in the world, behind only the US and Sweden.

The research, compiled using data from 48 nations, is based on a variety of measures that the researchers believe are critical components of a "good" higher education system. These measures are grouped under the following four headings:

1. resources (investment by government and private sector)
2. output (research and its impact, as well as the production of an educated workforce which meets labour market needs)
3. connectivity (international networks and collaboration which protects a system against insularity) and
4. environment (government policy and regulation, diversity and participation opportunities).

Canada's position of third overall was primarily based on placing first for resources and third for outputs.

Connections

• Report: U21 Rankings of National Higher Education Systems 2012
• University Affairs: "Canada places third in new international ranking of higher-ed systems"
  

Tags: Achievements