University communicators have risen to the fore during the pandemic response, but face new challenges during the recovery, according to a special W100 session on reputation at the THE World Academic Summit.

The latest league table published by Academic Ranking of World Universities shows a higher degree of change from the previous year than is usually expected from this most stable of the global rankings. 

You can see some of the knowledge and impact being delivered by Keio University, one of Japan’s leading universities, with their series of global webinars: Japan and the World in the Era of COVID-19: Considering whether the new paradigm is a crisis or an opportunity.

Barry Holmes, HR Director at RCSI – University of Medicine & Health Sciences – and W100 Network Member, explains how employee engagement, wellbeing and support were at the forefront of all they did in managing the COVID-19 crisis.

As a renewing W100 members for 2020-21 claim your free ticket to the Times Higher Education virtual World Academic Summit on 1-2 September, and join a special W100 session.

Universities have moved on from the immediate crisis communications response, but the reputational challenges of on-going pandemic reputation management are no less complex, according to the latest W100 survey.

Coronavirus has changed a lot of things for a lot of people, not least the world’s perception of cleanliness. We are now more laidback about things that used to seem like the most important thing in the world; more conscious of other people’s whereabouts and well-being; more aware of how important our relationships with other people are than ever before. We’re also changing how we work.

Australia remains a dominant force, with 17 institutions featuring in the top 100, up from 15 last year. France has 14 entries; the UK has five and Hong Kong has four, including the top-ranked Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

As COVID-19 continues to challenge every aspect of universities and life in general, we revisit our Taking the Temperature of COVID-19 survey.

The latest league table published by Academic Ranking of World Universities shows a higher degree of change from the previous year than is usually expected from this most stable of the global rankings. 

Reputation remains a key driver of university performance, and those universities strongly focused on raising global profile continue to advance, according to the latest QS Rankings published on 10 June.

The W100 virtual annual conference Reimagining Universities: Evolution and Change will be held between 2nd– 6th November 2020.