KATHMANDU, MARCH 24 Kathmandu University (KU) has been ranked 122nd among 507 universities from 95 countries in the HE Higher Education Ranking conducted by a US-based organization. The ranking was based on 136 indicators across 25 criteria, primarily focusing on the operational capabilities of emerging universities in South Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe. The HE Higher Education Ranking, a global higher education ranking organization based in the United States, provides an evidence-based assessment of institutional performance, evaluating how universities function in practice rather than merely how they are perceived. According to the HE Higher Education Ranking 2026 report, KU has demonstrated strong potential in areas such as resource and infrastructure management, academic transparency, and future-oriented planning. A key feature of this ranking is its emphasis on measuring policies, processes, services, outputs, and outcomes that define the operational effectiveness of a university. The assessment criteria include indicators such as inclusiveness, sustainable development, transparency, accountability, research ecosystems, campus safety, internationalization, academic integrity, and digital access, the ranking body stated. The organization added that the rankings are designed to guide meaningful improvements across teaching, research, governance, equity, and societal impact. In an email sent to KU, Noura Abduljalil, Secretary of HE Higher Education Rankings, noted that the recognition reflects the collective efforts and dedication to education demonstrated by the university's leadership, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The email further highlighted that the recognition underscores the university's unwavering commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Similarly, Hem Raj Kafle, Director of the Academic Excellence Directorate at KU, stated that the report offers valuable insights into the institution's operational practices. He expressed confidence that the findings would help the university consolidate data and strengthen its participation in other global ranking frameworks.