The University of Phayao has been ranked joint 9th in Thailand in the Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR) released by Times Higher Education (THE) in collaboration with Schmidt Science Fellows. The rankings assess universities’ performance in interdisciplinary scientific research, which integrates science with the social sciences, humanities, and other fields. This emphasizes institutions’ capacity to generate knowledge across disciplines to address contemporary global challenges.
The THE Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR) are derived from the THE World University Rankings (WUR) framework and reflect universities’ performance and commitment to interdisciplinary science research worldwide. The evaluation is based on three key components: inputs, such as research funding; processes, including research project success, infrastructure, research management systems, and mechanisms for supporting academic staff; and outputs, encompassing the volume and proportion of interdisciplinary publications, the value and quality of research, and research reputation measured through international surveys.
In 2025, the University of Phayao was ranked in the 401-500 band out of 749 universities worldwide across 92 countries. This inaugural year of the ISR also saw the university ranked joint 9th in Thailand, out of 16 Thai universities included in the rankings.
In 2026, the University of Phayao maintained its position in the 401–500 band out of 1,267 universities worldwide. It also continued to rank joint 9th among 19 Thai universities listed, showcasing its consistent performance. This achievement highlights the University's growing strength in interdisciplinary research, which addresses societal needs and future challenges. As a result, it contributes to improving the quality of life and enhancing national competitiveness on the international stage.