Thirteen top Australian universities under 50 years have made it to the list of the world's best universities under 50. Queensland University of Technology ranked the highest among Australian universities as the top 26. The relatively "young" university went up several notches from top 40 in 2012 to top 26 this year's Times Higher Education list.

Other Australian universities that made it to the top 100 are Macquarie University at rank 36, Newcastle University at rank 40 followed by Wollongong University at 43. University of South Australia made it as top 48.

The world ranking of top universities under 50 focused on all universities founder after 1963 to present. The list is designed to stand alongside another world ranking of universities including traditional ones. Times Higher Education recently released the World University Rankings 2012-13 in which all universities were considered. Six of Australia's top universities were included in the prestigious top 100 list. The University of Melbourne topped other local universities as it ranked 28th in the Top 100 world university rankings.

Rankings editor for Times Higher Education, Phil Baty, says Australian universities were able to meet international standards. One-third of national universities in Australia are in the list.

Vice Chanceller for Queensland University of Technology Peter Coaldrake says the results establishes the university as a "rising star" with a bright future. Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is a young and ambitious institution with good staff. To be recognised around the world is an affirmation of its quality of education and student performance.

Coaldrake also acknowledges other younger universities in Australia who made it to the Top 100. It reflects how the country's university system has greatly improved.

Pohang University of Science and Technology from South Korea ranks first in the World University Rankings Under 50. It is the institution's second consecutive time to top the list. South Korea's top university was founded in 1986 and has a wide lead over second-place holder Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne of Switzerland.

RELATED STORIES