Ranked 7th Nationwide for “Top 2% Highly Cited Papers per Faculty Member” in Life Sciences & Chemistry in the 2025 JoongAng Ilbo University Rankings

Selected as an ‘Excellent University’ in Both Mathematics·Physics and Life Sciences·Chemistry, Strengthening Its Status as a Leader in Basic Science

[December 4, 2025]

 YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) has reaffirmed its strong research competitiveness in the natural sciences through the 2025 JoongAng Ilbo University Rankings, establishing itself as a top-tier research-oriented university in Korea.

In this year’s evaluation, YU ranked 7th nationwide in “Top 2% Highly Cited Papers per Faculty Member” in the field of Life Sciences & Chemistry. This performance places the university shoulder to shoulder with Korea’s leading research-focused institutions. This indicator represents a major measure of research quality, calculated by dividing the number of papers belonging to the top 2% most cited worldwide by the number of faculty members. YU produced 147 highly cited papers in the top 2% category, demonstrating strong research capabilities.

Additionally, in the field-based evaluation of natural sciences, YU was selected as an ‘Excellent University’ in both Mathematics·Physics and Life Sciences·Chemistry, proving its balanced research competency across fundamental science. This is considered a significant achievement for a regional base university amid intense competition dominated by metropolitan and specialized institutions in natural sciences.

YU has consistently pursued its “Basic Science Advancement Strategy” through:

 ▲ Expansion of advanced fundamental science research equipment

▲ Securing large-scale national research projects

▲ Strengthening international collaborative research and joint academic journal exchanges. This outcome is especially noteworthy as it reflects the results of long-term investment and research ecosystem innovation.

KIM Sam-soo, Vice President for Industry-Academia Research, stated, “This achievement is the result of collective efforts by our faculty, researchers, and university members to elevate YU’s research competitiveness to an international level,” adding, “Going forward, YU will continue to strengthen research competitiveness not only in natural sciences but also in future strategic technology fields such as AI, biotechnology, and semiconductors.”

YU continues to expand its influence as a leading research-oriented university representing Korea beyond the regional level, and particularly in the natural sciences, it is solidifying its position as a “powerhouse in basic science.”