From September 24-26, 2024, global leaders in university innovation gathered in Seoul, South Korea, to celebrate the achievements of universities showcasing exceptional innovation in the 2024 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). Attendees included representatives from a diverse range of countries, including Korea, the Philippines, Türkiye, Romania, Ethiopia, India, Germany, Taiwan, Cambodia, the USA, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Albania, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei.
Acknowledgments and Awards
During the opening session, Minerva University was acknowledged as the most innovative university in the high-ranked category, while Hankuk University of Foreign Studies received recognition for its innovative projects. aSSIST University played the role of the official host for the conference.
Competitive Evaluation Process
The event organizers released a joint message highlighting the notably competitive nature of this year’s competition. The WURI office evaluated 2,916 innovative submissions from 1,072 universities around the world. A distinguished panel of 156 university leaders assessed these submissions based on criteria such as innovativeness, feasibility, and impact, emphasizing the institutions’ commitment to innovative progress and leadership.
The Evolution of WURI Rankings
Launched in 2018, the WURI rankings assess how well institutions contribute to industry and society, placing a particular focus on innovative education and research. The rankings aim to spotlight universities that excel in innovative practices, promoting advancements across the academic community and society as a whole. The inaugural WURI Ranking, which was presented online on June 11, 2020, featured 469 innovative programs from 280 universities, with Stanford University securing the top spot in the global ranking.