International recognition for UWA

• UWA ranked in world's top 100 universities for first time

• Recognition of increasing standards across WA tertiary education

Education Minister Peter Collier today congratulated The University of Western Australia (UWA) for ranking within the world's top 100 universities for the first time by the world's foremost indicator of university status.

The Shanghai Jaio Tong University's Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) today released its 2012 rankings indicating that UWA had risen to number 96 of the world's tertiary institutions, up 14 places.

"This is a wonderful achievement for UWA and I wish to congratulate their staff for all the hard work which has enabled this success," Mr Collier said.

"Becoming one of the top 100 universities in the world is a significant accomplishment, and I commend UWA on indicating it intends to build on this result and deliver further success in the years ahead.

"As a UWA graduate and Minister for Education, I recognise the growing importance that the Higher Education sector has in our State, and I welcome the opportunity to work alongside our WA universities in supporting their future plans.

"UWA has been recognised as delivering a world-class standard of teaching to students in a diverse range of subjects including Medicine; Pharmacy; and Life and Agricultural Sciences."

The ARWU table ranked UWA as 26th in the world (up seven places) for Life and Agricultural Sciences; in the band 51-75 in the field of Clinical Medicine and Pharmacy; and in the subject band 76-100 for Chemistry.

      Fact File

• UWA has 24,000 students and more than 3,000 staff

• In 2013, UWA celebrates 100 years since its first intake of 184 students

Minister's office - 6552 6300