UBT Makes Waves in 2026 Rankings — Tops Region and Leads in Research

02/03/2026

UBT has once again established itself as a leading institution in higher education, research, and innovation, both regionally and internationally — reinforced by the latest insights from the 2026 SCImago Institutions Rankings.

The SCImago Institutions Rankings (SIR) is an internationally recognized evaluation system that assesses universities and research organizations worldwide based on research output, innovation performance, and societal impact, drawing on publication and citation data from Scopus and other metrics.

Regional Excellence Across Rankings

According to data from the most recent regional reports and based on SCImago’s methodology:

• UBT was ranked 3rd overall among all universities in major Albanian-speaking countries — including Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia — and achieved the top spot among all private universities in the region.

• In the field of research excellence, UBT ranked 1st in Kosovo and 1st among all private universities across the major Albanian-speaking territories, placing 2nd among all universities regionwide.

• In Civil Engineering, UBT topped the list across Albanian-speaking countries and secured a top-five position (fifth) among universities in the wider Western Balkan region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo).

These achievements reflect sustained academic and scientific performance that places UBT among leading higher education institutions in Southeast Europe.

SCImago Recognition and Global Context

The SCImago Institutions Rankings are compiled annually and include thousands of universities and research institutions globally, based on quantitative measures of research productivity, international collaboration, innovation indicators, and social impact. This ranking framework offers a comprehensive picture of institutions’ scientific influence.

While the official 2026 SCImago list is extensive — ranking institutions across sectors including government, health, and higher education worldwide — UBT’s regional leadership in research and innovation stands out in the context of these broader global benchmarks.

Leadership’s Response

UBT’s Rector, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi, welcomed the results as a testament to the university’s commitment to fostering a high-impact research environment. He noted that consistently high performance in SCImago rankings — alongside other international evaluations — signals UBT’s dedication to elevating the quality of science, innovation, and education in Kosovo and beyond.

Looking Ahead

With a strong foundation in research output, international collaboration, and academic quality, UBT continues to build momentum toward greater recognition in global higher education rankings. Its performance in the SCImago rankings — particularly its leadership in Albania-speaking regions and Western Balkans subject categories — underscores a trajectory of rising influence and engagement on both regional and global academic stages.