This direction develops methods for evaluating universities that are transparent, contextual and useful for improvement. It responds to a common problem: global rankings and national accreditation often reward what is easy to count rather than what matters, and institutions in the Global South are measured against criteria designed elsewhere.

The work combines indicator design, open data and qualitative judgement, and is being tested through the University Ranking prototype in the AI Laboratory. It draws on direct experience of university leadership and on comparative study of higher-education systems in Southeast Asia and the Muslim world.