The Perspektywy University Ranking has been aimed primarily at candidates for studies since the beginning, i.e. since 2000, to whom we want to help in choosing a field of study and a university – by providing the right information at the right time. In times of dramatically rapid civilizational, technological, socio-political and economic changes this knowledge is even more valuable to them.

The Perspektywy University Ranking includes a vision of an ideal university – a model that the Ranking Board adjusts to the changing reality every year. World-class research and active participation in global scientific networking, high prestige, excellent staff, high level of teaching and internationalization, cooperation with business, concern for the implementation of the university's social mission, ensuring good employment prospects for graduates – this is what students and graduates, as well as its partners and socio-economic environment expect from the university.

The academic community is waiting for the results of the Ranking, because thanks to its cyclicality, methodological consistency and ability to evolve, it has become a "mirror" in which academic and vocational universities "look at themselves" every year.

As the methodology was improved and external data sources were used, another function of the Ranking was strengthened, which can be described as "monitoring". By observing changes in the position of individual universities, it was possible to determine which of them had adopted the right development strategy (because it was gaining in the ranking), and which one was standing still or retreating... To stay at the forefront, you have to run faster than your competitors. In this sense, the Ranking is an element of building a culture of quality in Polish higher education.

Perspektywy University Ranking (Poland), as we are known in the world, was the first national ranking to receive the IREG Approved quality certificate, awarded by the international organization IREG Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence, which groups creators and analysts of university rankings from around the world.

The correct preparation of the Ranking is supervised by the Ranking Board which role is to establish the methodology of the Ranking, supervise the procedure for its implementation and approve and announce the results. The Ranking Board works under the leadership of prof. Michał Kleiber, former president of the Polish Academy of Sciences, chairman of the Polish Commission for UNESCO.

The Perspektywy University Ranking currently consists of three complementary rankings:

• University Ranking covering all (except art) universities in the country with at least the right to award doctoral degree;
  
  
• Ranking by Subject, this year covering 75 main fields or groups of fields of study at academic universities.
  
  
• Higher Vocational Schools Ranking covering public and non-public higher schools educating at the master's level, which is being published this year for the first time (in previous years, separate rankings of public and non-public higher schools were published in this group).

We would like to congratulate the authorities and the community of the University of Warsaw, which once again stood on top of the podium.

We send our words of appreciation for the Powiślański University, which is the best in the first edition of consolidated Higher Vocational Schools Ranking.

Vivat Academia, vivant professores!

Perspektywy