QS Masterclass Workshop 

About Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is the leading global provider of specialist higher education and careers information and solutions. QS is headquartered in London with over 500 staff members across the world.

QS has been producing authoritative, independent and global rankings since 2004 and continues to lead innovation in the ranking and evaluation of higher education institutions worldwide. All our rankings are compiled by the QS Intelligence Unit in consultation with the QS Global Academic Advisory Board. Bibliometric data required in the citation score sections of the methodology is supplied by Scopus, part of Elsevier, the world’s largest abstract and citation database of research literature.

Workshop Agenda

There is sound evidence that rankings, on global and/or regional scale, affect public policy and the decision-making process of students and their parents. Often understood as a measure of quality, they create intense competition and have a profound impact also on academic decision-making and behavior, with implications for internal and external strategies of institutions. Rather than a sole source of information pertaining to quality, rankings should also be seen as a tool that can help improve transparency and accountability in a global market of higher education.

The presentation will cover detailed reviews of QS World, Asia and Subject Rankings methodologies. It will also deliver information on data submission process and guidelines. The speaker will also provide analysis on the performance of the institution and give case studies and strategies on how to excel and do better. Besides this QS Stars rating system will be showcased.

Resource Person

Ashwin Fernandes is the Regional Director for Middle East, North Africa & South Asia at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, headquartered in London. QS produces the well-established QS World University Rankings and several other regional rankings.

Ashwin works closely with universities in the region to understand their current and future plans and to support them to build capacity and promote excellence. He is also responsible to liaise with governmental and public agencies in these regions which would help in better understanding local context. In the course of his mission he has met with several senior leaders and public figures.

He is currently pursuing his PhD on the topic of branding and academic reputation in university rankings. He has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing degree along with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Financial Accounting, Auditing & Taxation.


Ashwin Fernandes
Regional Director – Middle East, North
Africa & South Asia
QS Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Background literature links (pre meeting reading):