Tsinghua University is ranked 16 among world universities on the latest edition of Best Global Universities released by US News and World Report recently, marking the university's highest overall ranking in its history.

It was the first time Tsinghua has moved into the top 20 of the US News Best Global Universities rankings, as it improved seven places from previous best record — No 23. The rankings were measured by indicators including global score, global research reputation, and publications.

Xu Fenyi, a senior student from the department of mechanical engineering at Tsinghua, said he decided to apply for a direct PhD admission at the university and would refer to the US News rankings when choosing universities for exchange.

Over the past year, Tsinghua has made progress in various disciplines such as basic physics, materials science and biomedical sciences. It has published 21 papers in Nature and Science journals as the first author institution.

"I believe these advancements have played a crucial role in enhancing the university's ranking," Xu said.

He also believed that some newly-established departments of the university, such as the School of Artificial Intelligence that focuses on academic frontiers, have to some extent contributed to the improving rankings of the university.

"The rise in the rankings can attract more international students and scholars to come to China for study and exchange. I hope my university can further deepen its international exchanges and let every student tell their own Tsinghua story to the world," he said.

Jenny Peterlin, from the United States, has been studying in China since high school and is now a Global MBA student at the university's School of Economics and Management.

"Undoubtedly, US News rankings provide helpful insights into factors such as academic reputation, research output, class size, professor access, and international collaboration, which are essential to me," Peterlin said, adding that her personal experiences in China also influenced her decision.

The strength of Tsinghua's international collaborations in and out of the classroom and other efforts in global conversations have contributed to the university's improved ranking, Peterlin said.

"The improvement in Tsinghua's ranking is not just a number but a testament to the university's ongoing commitment to a diverse learning environment … This commitment to global engagement and diversity makes us all feel included and valued," she said.

Li Ren contributed to this story.