The University of the South Pacific (USP) has secured a position in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for the fifth consecutive year, reaffirming USP’s place among the world’s leading institutions.
In a year of intensified competition with more than 100 new entrants, USP remains the only university in our South Pacific Islands region to feature in this global listing.
The 2026 rankings assessed 2,191 universities worldwide across five key pillars: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry, and International Outlook. USP was placed in the 1001–1200 band overall. According to the International Association of Universities (IAU), there are more than 18,000 university-level institutions across 196 countries, highlighting the competitiveness and significance of USP’s inclusion.
USP achieved its strongest results in the International Outlook pillar, where it ranked 388th globally, reflecting the University’s deep and enduring commitment to international collaboration through co-authorship, staff and student mobility, and cross-border partnerships.
Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council and the Interim Management Group (IMG), the Right Honourable Siosiua Utoikamanu, said USP’s continued presence in the global rankings reaffirms its identity as a Pacific university of global reach and relevance.
“To be counted among the world’s top universities yet again is a powerful affirmation of USP’s role, not just as an institution in the Pacific, but as a university for the Pacific, contributing to global scholarship from our unique regional perspective. This recognition belongs to our communities across our member countries, to our students and staff, and to our partners who believe in the USP mission,” he said.
Mr Utoikamanu emphasised that while global recognition is valued, USP’s primary focus is on relevance and impact.
“We are not pursuing rankings as an end in themselves. Our priority is to ensure that what we teach, research, and deliver makes a measurable difference to the lives of Pacific people. As a university located at the frontline of climate and sustainability challenges, our strength should lie in combining the best of global science with the wisdom of Pacific knowledge systems. That is how USP can climb even higher, by being both globally excellent and deeply Pacific.”
Looking ahead, he said the University is entering a new phase of transformation driven by innovation, quality, and purpose.
“As USP moves forward, we will deepen Pacific-relevant research and curriculum renewal, improve teaching quality to be more student-centred, and embrace digital innovation that expands access and enhances learning. Our vision is to be a world-class university centred in the Pacific, shaping futures for our islands while contributing meaningfully on the global stage.”
“We look to the future with courage and conviction. The path ahead is one of renewed purpose, a Pacific university that not only adapts to change but leads it, guided by the collective wisdom, resilience, and aspirations of our region.”
