METHODOLOGY

The Arab University Rankings was designed using a methodology based on four main criterion aligned with the vision and needs of Arab countries. Each criterion is measured through nine specific indicators. These include: teaching and learning, focusing on the quality of education; scientific research, evaluating the quantity and quality of research output; creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation, adding an economic dimension by encouraging innovation-based research in universities; and the promotion of marketing, dissemination of scientific outputs, and technology management to support the development of a knowledge-based economy.

Education and Learning (Quality of Teaching) (300 points)

The ratio of full-time faculty members and supporting staff (appointed, seconded, or fully delegated) to the number of students in the classification year – university.
The ratio of full-time faculty members (appointed, seconded, or fully delegated) holding a PhD degree to the number of students in the classification year – university.
The percentage of study hours offered through distance learning (virtual), with a maximum of 25% of the total hours in all university faculties for all academic years during the classification year – university.
The number of interdisciplinary academic programs that integrate two or more scientific disciplines, through which the university grants degrees in overlapping, interdisciplinary, or transdisciplinary fields – university.
The number of faculty members with an H-index of at least 15 in the Scopus database over the last 5 years.
The number of experts fully or partially seconded to teach a theoretical or practical course, supervise scientific theses from outside the university (excluding training doctors in hospitals), or participate in providing scientific consultations to final beneficiaries, provided they hold at least a bachelor's degree, during the classification year – university.
The number of accredited training certificates (programs) in the field of academic and research development obtained by appointed faculty members and supporting staff at the university in the classification year – university.
The number of scientific research papers published in globally indexed journals, provided undergraduate students participate in the research and their names are mentioned in the list of researchers, during the classification year, with the link to the research provided – university.
The number of recipients of the following awards: Nobel Prize, Fields Medals, King Faisal International Prize (awarded by the King Faisal Foundation), mentioning the name of the award, the name of the recipient, and the date of receipt – university.

Indicator	Point
The ratio of full-time faculty members and supporting staff (appointed, seconded, or fully delegated) to the number of students in the classification year – university.	80
The ratio of full-time faculty members (appointed, seconded, or fully delegated) holding a PhD degree to the number of students in the classification year – university.	30
The percentage of study hours offered through distance learning (virtual) with a maximum of 25% of the hours in all university faculties for all academic years during the classification year – university.	20
The number of interdisciplinary academic programs that integrate two or more scientific disciplines, through which the university grants degrees in overlapping, interdisciplinary, or transdisciplinary fields – university.	20
The number of faculty members with an H-index of at least 15 in the Scopus database over the last 5 years.	80
The number of experts fully or partially seconded to teach a theoretical or practical course, supervise scientific theses from outside the university (excluding training doctors in hospitals), or participate in providing scientific consultations to final beneficiaries, provided they hold at least a bachelor's degree, during the classification year – university.	10
The number of accredited training certificates (programs) in the field of academic and research development obtained by appointed faculty members and supporting staff at the university in the classification year – university.	20
The number of scientific research papers published in globally indexed journals, provided undergraduate students participate in the research and their names are mentioned in the list of researchers, during the classification year, with the link to the research provided – university.	30
The number of recipients of the following awards: Nobel Prize, Fields Medals, King Faisal International Prize awarded by the King Faisal Foundation, mentioning the name of the award, the name of the recipient, and the date of receipt – university.	10
Total	300

Scientific Research (Quantity and Quality of Research Output) (400 points)

The number of research papers published in Scopus and Arabic impact factors (Arab Impact Factor, Knowledge Bank, Arab Citation and Impact Factor – ARCIF) over the last five years.
The percentage of research papers published in globally indexed journals within Q1 & Q2 from the total research papers published in Scopus and Arabic impact factors over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.
The number of citations per published research paper for the university over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.
The percentage of citations within the top 10% of the most cited research papers globally, compared to the total citations over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.
The number of collaborative research papers with international universities over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.
The number of collaborative research papers with non-academic institutions over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.
The Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) in all university disciplines over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.
a) The approved budget for scientific research at the university during the classification year (in dollars) – university.
b) The percentage of the approved budget for scientific research from the total university budget during the classification year (in dollars) – university.
The total funding for funded research projects over the last five years – university.

Indicator	Point
The number of research papers published in Scopus and Arabic impact factors (Arab Impact Factor, Knowledge Bank, Arab Citation and Impact Factor – ARCIF) over the last five years.	80 Scopus (80 point) معامل (50 Points)
The percentage of research papers published in globally indexed journals within Q1 & Q2 from the total research papers published in Scopus and Arabic impact factors over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.	80 Q1 (80 point) Q2 (50 Points)
The number of citations per published research paper for the university over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.	50
The percentage of citations within the top 10% of the most cited research papers globally, compared to the total citations over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.	50
The number of collaborative research papers with international universities over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.	30
The number of collaborative research papers with non-academic institutions over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.	25
The Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) in all university disciplines over the last five years, according to Scival data and Arabic impact factors.	40
a) The approved budget for scientific research at the university during the classification year (in dollars) – university. b) The percentage of the approved budget for scientific research from the total university budget during the classification year (in dollars) – university.	10 10
The total funding for funded research projects over the last five years – university.	25 International (25 points) Local (20 Points)
Total	400

Creativity, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation (This dimension gives the ranking an economic application aspect, aiming to encourage scientific research based on creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation in universities. It promotes the commercialization and dissemination of scientific output and technology management, helping to achieve a knowledge-based economy) (150 points)

The number of research papers published on industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9 in the Sustainable Development Goals 2030) in Citescore journals over the last five years – Scival SDG 9.
The percentage of research papers published on industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9 in the Sustainable Development Goals 2030) in Q1 and Q2 journals from the Citescore list compared to the total research in this field over the last five years – Scival.
The number of funded research projects in the field of development and innovation in collaboration with beneficiary entities funded over the last five years – university.
The number of activities and events organized by the university in the fields of creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology transfer (public lectures, workshops, training courses, conferences, and seminars) during the classification year – university.
The number of contracts signed between technology and business incubators on one side, and industry and research institutions on the other, for the development or manufacturing of products during the classification year – university.
The presence of an innovation and entrepreneurship center or supporting units: business incubator, accelerators, technology transfer office, or similar – university.
The number of patents citing the research outputs published by the university (Patents Count) over the last five years – Scival.
The average number of patent citations obtained per 1000 research papers published by the university (Patent-Citations per Scholarly Output) over the last five years – Scival.
The number of startups/spinoffs launched from the university's technology and business incubators – university.

Indicator	Point
The number of research papers published on industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9 in the Sustainable Development Goals 2030) in Citescore journals over the last five years – Scival SDG 9.	50
The percentage of research papers published on industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9 in the Sustainable Development Goals 2030) in Q1 and Q2 journals from the Citescore list compared to the total research in this field over the last five years – Scival.	50 Q1 (50 points) Q2 (35 Points)
The number of funded research projects in the field of development and innovation in collaboration with beneficiary entities funded over the last five years – university.	5
The number of activities and events organized by the university in the fields of creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology transfer (public lectures, workshops, training courses, conferences, and seminars) during the classification year – university.	5
The number of contracts signed between technology and business incubators on one side, and industry and research institutions on the other, for the development or manufacturing of products during the classification year – university.	5
The presence of an innovation and entrepreneurship center or supporting units: business incubator, accelerators, technology transfer office, or similar – university.	5
The number of patents citing the research outputs published by the university (Patents Count) over the last five years – Scival.	15
The average number of patent citations obtained per 1000 research papers published by the university (Patent-Citations per Scholarly Output) over the last five years – Scival.	10
The number of startups/spinoffs launched from the university's technology and business incubators – university.	5
Total	150

International and Local Collaboration and Community Service(This focuses on international outlook and societal impact) (150 points)

The percentage of visiting faculty members (International Faculty) appointed from other countries to the total number of faculty members, who participate in in-person teaching for an academic year during the classification year – university.
b) The number of faculty members (Visiting Professors) from other countries who participate in supervising research schools, providing consultations, conducting training courses, delivering public lectures, or teaching an intensive course during the classification year – university.
The percentage of international students studying during the classification year – university.
The number of programs that grant joint or dual degrees with globally ranked universities up to the classification year – university.
The percentage of accredited academic programs by an independent local or international accreditation body, which remain accredited up to the classification year – university.
The percentage of faculty members and supporting staff from the university who benefited from local and international academic exchange programs during the classification year – university.
The percentage of university students benefiting from local and international academic exchange programs (incoming and outgoing) during the classification year – university.
A list of community activities organized by the university to serve the community outside the campus during the classification year – university.
The availability of open educational resources and activities, and university educational facilities to non-affiliated individuals – university.
The use of university educational and research facilities by industrial and beneficiary entities – university.

Indicator	Point
a) The percentage of visiting faculty members (International Faculty) appointed from other countries to the total number of faculty members, who participate in in-person teaching for an academic year during the classification year – university. b) The number of faculty members (Visiting Professors) from other countries who participate in supervising research schools, providing consultations, conducting training courses, delivering public lectures, or teaching an intensive course during the classification year – university.	15 15
The percentage of international students studying during the classification year – university.	30
The number of programs that grant joint or dual degrees with globally ranked universities up to the classification year – university.	20
The percentage of accredited academic programs by an independent local or international accreditation body, which remain accredited up to the classification year – university.	20
The percentage of faculty members and supporting staff from the university who benefited from local and international academic exchange programs during the classification year – university.	10
The percentage of university students benefiting from local and international academic exchange programs (incoming and outgoing) during the classification year – university.	10
A list of community activities organized by the university to serve the community outside the campus during the classification year – university.	10
The availability of open educational resources and activities, and university educational facilities to non-affiliated individuals – university.	10
The use of university educational and research facilities by industrial and beneficiary entities – university.	10
Total	150