How Singapore university transforms from obscure school to global top 30 in 14 years

Founded in 1991, NTU originally focused on training engineers to support Singapore's industrial economy. At the time, it had little international recognition. The university evolved from its predecessor, Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI), which was established in 1981 to educate engineers for Singapore’s growing economy.

In 1991, NTI merged with the National Institute of Education to form NTU, and by 1996, NTU absorbed the alumni of the former Nanyang University.

In 2006, NTU became an autonomous institution and has since grown to become one of Singapore’s two largest public universities. In 2011, it ranked 174th in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. Today, NTU is ranked 30th globally and is among the top five universities in Asia, climbing 144 spots in just 14 years.

This rapid ascent is largely attributed to NTU’s transformation into a research-focused institution. Research quality and environment are critical criteria in rankings, with the THE weighing these factors at 29% and 30%, respectively.

A recent report by the THE highlights how NTU’s unprecedented rise in rankings has made it an exemplar for others, drawing attention from academics worldwide. The report also notes that the university has made rankings an important metric for its strategic development and success.

Local context and strategic shift

To understand how NTU achieved this transformation, it's essential to consider Singapore's local context, according to the THE.

In the early 2000s, Singapore faced increasing competition from neighboring countries like China, India, and Indonesia, which were growing their economies with low labor costs. Realizing it could no longer compete in industrial production, Singapore shifted towards a knowledge-based, service-oriented economy.

The government established the National Research Foundation (NRF) to manage research and fund academic talent. However, NTU’s first attempt to secure funding from NRF in 2006 was unsuccessful, prompting the university to reconsider its strategy.

NTU’s leadership reorganized, prioritizing research over its initial focus on teaching. After an assessment, 25% of the university’s faculty were let go. The university then recruited top-tier scholars, particularly from the U.S. and U.K., and empowered the remaining faculty to excel in research.

Simultaneously, the university modernized its teaching methods, drawing inspiration from prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, incorporating new technology and securing significant financial investments to enhance the student experience.

The research-focused strategy

NTU’s strategy was clear: to transform into a research-intensive university. The university created five-year research plans focused on broad interdisciplinary areas, often aligned with national priorities like sustainability, healthcare, and security. This strategic direction led to significant funding packages, international partnerships, and collaborations, including the establishment of a medical school in partnership with Imperial College London.

NTU’s focus on research, coupled with favorable national policies, allowed the university to make notable strides in various international rankings. By 2020, it had broken into the top 50 in the THE rankings, surpassing U.S. Ivy League schools like Brown University and Dartmouth College. Domestically, NTU is often ranked alongside the National University of Singapore, and this year, the two universities are tied for 4th in Asia.

NTU also excels in specific subject areas, particularly artificial intelligence, which has helped it attract top-tier researchers, especially from Europe. Its rapid development model has garnered attention from university leaders worldwide, with many visiting NTU to learn from its experience.

NTU’s transformation from an obscure institution to a global top 30 university is a testament to the effectiveness of its strategic shift towards research excellence, positioning it as a leading force in global higher education.