{
    "title": "KU Leuven achieves Belgium's highest-ever position in QS World University Rankings",
    "modified_at": "2026-06-19 10:26:23",
    "published_at": "2026-06-18 12:09:00",
    "url": "https://belganewsagency-eu.prezly.com/ku-leuven-reaches-highest-ever-belgian-position-in-qs-world-university-rankings",
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    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "ku-leuven-reaches-highest-ever-belgian-position-in-qs-world-university-rankings",
    "body": "<p style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>KU Leuven has climbed to 59th place in the latest QS World University Rankings, the best-ever result for a Belgian university. The university improved slightly on last year&rsquo;s result, when it ranked one place lower, and says the outcome reflects its strong international research profile.</strong></p><p style=\"text-align: left\">The <a href=\"https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">QS rankings</a> assess more than 1,500 universities across 106 education systems worldwide, based on nine indicators including academic reputation, research impact, international collaboration and sustainability. KU Leuven achieved an overall score of 80.5 out of 100 this year.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">KU Leuven continues to stand out nationally, particularly for its international research collaboration. It ranks fourth worldwide in the International Research Network category, and also performs strongly on sustainability (22nd place) and academic reputation (52nd). Its weakest area is research impact, measured by citations per academic staff, where Belgian universities more broadly are under pressure. KU Leuven scores 93.9 out of 100 on this indicator, ranking 80th globally.</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">Rector Severine Vermeire said she was satisfied with the result: &quot;I am very proud of this result, not so much because of the position in the ranking, but as recognition of the scientific work of our entire university community. Our researchers, students, and staff build knowledge with societal impact every day.&quot;</p><p style=\"text-align: left\">&nbsp;</p><p><sup>#FlandersNewsService | Students outside the KU Leuven library at Ladeuzeplein &copy; PHOTO ROB STEVENS / KU LEUVEN</sup></p><hr /><p><strong>Related news</strong></p><div id=\"bookmark-1fdd2d4c-b407-408a-9801-259a929bf95e\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/ku-leuven-university-opens-high-tech-greenhouse-complex-for-innovative-plant-research\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2F00fbdf45-2751-4d76-9982-fc87fbd8ed9c%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=7931fcf1755c0b550a2672d65e360f81)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/ku-leuven-university-opens-high-tech-greenhouse-complex-for-innovative-plant-research\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story WebBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"1fdd2d4c-b407-408a-9801-259a929bf95e\"\n           >\n                KU Leuven university opens high-tech greenhouse complex for innovative plant research            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__description\">\n                On Friday, KU Leuven university opened in Heverlee a new high-tech greenhouse complex for plant research and education. 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        {
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            "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/ku-leuven-university-opens-high-tech-greenhouse-complex-for-innovative-plant-research"
        },
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            "description": "World first at UZ Leuven as new brain scanner enters clinical use",
            "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/world-first-at-uz-leuven-as-new-brain-scanner-enters-clinical-use"
        }
    ],
    "author": {
        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
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