The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions. We strive for excellence through the creation, preservation, transfer and application of knowledge. For more than a century, we have educated and worked with outstanding people to deliver knowledge leadership for a better world. World rankings UQ ranks among the world’s top universities, as measured by several key independent rankings, including the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2017 (35)*, the Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities (41), US News Best Global Universities Rankings (45), QS World University Rankings (47), Academic Ranking of World Universities (55), and Times Higher Education World University Rankings (65). More than 164 UQ staff (including honorary and adjunct appointments) and emeritus professors are Fellows of Australia’s learned academies, which include AAS, AAHMS, ASSA, ATSE, and AAH. UQ is one of only three Australian members of the global Universitas 21, a founding member of the Group of Eight (Go8) universities, and a member of Universities Australia. Teaching and learning excellence Skilled and motivated teachers are integral to providing positive teaching and learning outcomes for students. UQ has a strong focus on teaching excellence, having won more Australian Awards for University Teaching than any other in the country and attracting the majority of Queensland's highest academic achievers, as well as top interstate and overseas students. The educators of UQ are committed to excellence in learning experiences and outcomes for their students. edX In late 2013, UQ joined edX – the world’s leading consortium of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), jointly founded by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). UQ is one of only two Australian charter member universities included in the not-for-profit edX enterprise, and UQx represents this organisation on behalf of the University. UQx works with the University’s academic teaching staff to create and present a range of MOOCs through the edX platform and to further the goals of the UQ Student Strategy with respect to on-campus teaching. UQx has 47 MOOCs running on edX with more under development. UQx MOOCs cover subjects drawn from many disciplines along with meta-skills courses in employability and teamwork. Since releasing its first course on edX in March 2014, UQx has registered more than 1.8 million participants representing every country. Student experience The Student Employability Centre provides students with opportunities, choices and support that will enable them to achieve their individual aspirations, to become leaders in their chosen fields and to positively impact on the society in which they live. In addition to flexibility in program choice, student benefits include the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of extracurricular activities during their studies. Students can study abroad, participate in conferences and research opportunities, access more than 200 clubs and societies, and utilise sporting and cultural facilities. In 2017, the University had more than 52,000 students including 15,400 international students from 141 nations. UQ’s more than 16,400 postgraduate students include one of Australia's largest PhD cohorts, celebrating its 13,000th PhD graduation in 2017. UQ is continually discovering and practising innovative approaches to fostering student retention and employability. The University works towards and achieves its strategic objectives by developing ways to engage students – and by pursuing best-practice inductions and student experiences.