World University Ranking (most popular, the THES) studied the overall academic performance of a university, which consists of many schools and departments and laboratories and research groups. There are also ranking according to general categories such as life science and biomedicine, though. Current University Ranking serves well to the public interest. However, an overall ranking may not reflect any niche laboratories or groups in the university. There are still variables! Is the overall ranking useful enough for Science graduate students and scientist to refer to, while searching research laboratory?

Sometime, there are leading laboratories or research groups in university which may not has very good reputation world wide, or in top 50 world ranking. Thus, they may be put aside in student choice list and also they might lose quality students often. However, the selected students (who really know how to choose) may enjoy the most, indeed. On the other hand, there are under-developed niche laboratories or groups in great university too, which could be newly established and still improving its visibility internationally. In this case, great university name has attracted most quality students from everywhere, regardless other important factors. Most of the time, we can see this 'judge a book by its cover' phenomenon. As the result, the confusing effect of world university ranking on students options, could lead to students' disappointment in graduate study.

Therefore, would it be better to have academic performance study down to at least the departmental level of different faculties, of different universities all over the world? And could be done according to major scientific research area like ranking the cellular and molecular biology department, School of Biomedical Science under Faculty of Medicine from all universities. This could reduce confuses, created by a more general analysis. It is because even the research groups or laboratories have different contribution, achievements and research strengths in respective area of study. In order to thoroughly evaluate a good laboratory, a departmental performance assessment in scientific research by many necessary aspects (publications, students, staffs, reviews, citations, contributions, and awards) could help eliminate most of the variables. A more specific (departmental level) and detail analysis of the research or academic quality can serve a better reference for the graduate students and scientist.

Anyway, the research students has their own study interest, and also many factors like qualification, location, living environment, culture, language, social life, financial aid.. apart from university itself. The choice is difficult to make, always. Its all depend on the individual's preferences. However, a well-organized departmental level of World Ranking is good reference for quicker decision because it provided more information matches the research student's critical factor in decision making, their research interest.

Learn more about this author, Chong Yee Hang.
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