- Named best university for learning conditions in QS Asia rankings

- Faculty-to-student ratio and doctoral faculty rate score perfect marks for 2nd consecutive year

An aerial view of Postech's campus. [Herald DB]
An aerial view of Postech's campus. [Herald DB]

One professor for every five students. Doctoral degree holders making up 97.7 percent of faculty. Postech has been recognized by a global university ranking body as having the best learning environment in Asia.

Postech said Tuesday (local time) it received the Learning Experience Champions award — given to the top university for learning conditions — at the QS Higher Education Summit: Asia Pacific 2026, held at the Bali International Convention Center in Indonesia.

The award was based on results from the 2027 QS Asia University Rankings, published by British ranking agency QS. Postech was the only South Korean university among the 35 institutions QS honored this year across seven categories, including education, research and internationalization.

The Learning Experience Champions award recognizes universities that provide the most outstanding academic environment for students. QS selected the top five universities in Asia by evaluating faculty-to-student ratio and the proportion of faculty holding doctoral degrees.

Postech scored a perfect 100 in both indicators for the second consecutive year.

Particularly notable was its faculty density: Postech recorded 20.6 faculty members per 100 students, more than three times the Asian median of 6.2 — equivalent to roughly one professor for every five students.

Faculty expertise also drew high marks. Postech's share of doctoral degree-holding faculty stood at 97.7 percent, far above the Asian median of 61.5 percent.

Together, the figures mean students receive close mentorship from highly qualified professors in a small-group academic setting.

Postech was founded in 1986 as South Korea's first research-focused university. From its inception, it has maintained a selective enrollment model — keeping student numbers deliberately small while recruiting top-tier faculty.

The university has consistently focused on creating an environment where students and professors conduct research and engage in discussion side by side, going beyond simple knowledge transfer.

This year, as Postech marks its 40th anniversary, that educational model has earned international recognition.

"This award affirms that Postech's educational philosophy — providing world-class faculty and close-knit instruction to each and every student — has been recognized as the best in Asia," said Lee Jong-bong, Postech's dean of academic affairs. "We will continue to nurture future talent on the foundation of this outstanding learning environment."

Meanwhile, Postech ranked 22nd overall in the 2027 QS Asia University Rankings, which are conducted annually and cover universities across 26 countries and regions in Asia.


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com