USS Ranked Second in Chile in Electrical & Electronic Engineering by Shanghai Ranking

For the first time, Universidad San Sebastián was included in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS), achieving second place nationally and ranking among the top 300 universities worldwide in Electrical & Electronic Engineering.

The 2025 edition of the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS), developed by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, recognized Universidad San Sebastián (USS) among the world’s leading institutions in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. The University ranked second in Chile and placed within the 201–300 range globally, a milestone driven by the research conducted at the Center for Energy Transition (CTE) and the growing international impact of its scientific output.

The result marks a significant milestone for the University and reflects the rapid growth and consolidation of Electrical & Electronic Engineering as a strategic research area. The achievement is closely linked to the work carried out by the Center for Energy Transition (CTE) within the USS Faculty of Engineering, whose research has gained increasing international visibility and impact.

GRAS is one of the world’s most rigorous subject-based academic rankings. Since 2009, it has evaluated universities across 57 disciplines grouped into five major fields of knowledge. The ranking is based on an assessment of scientific production over the previous five years and relies on bibliometric data from Web of Science and InCites, requiring institutions to meet minimum publication thresholds before being considered.

The methodology combines nine objective indicators that measure different dimensions of academic excellence, including the number of highly cited researchers, publications in leading journals, research output in top-tier journals, citation impact normalized by discipline, and levels of international collaboration. In Electrical & Electronic Engineering, particular importance is placed on publications in first-quartile (Q1) journals—those within the top 25% in terms of scientific impact—as well as academic awards and contributions to highly influential specialized journals.

Research Driving the Energy Transition

At USS, this recognition is closely associated with the work led by Dr. José Rodríguez, Director of the Center for Energy Transition (CTE), and the center’s research team. Their research focuses on one of the most critical challenges of the global energy transition: power electronics, the technologies that enable the efficient conversion and management of electricity in real-world applications.

Dr. Rodríguez has made internationally recognized contributions in the fields of multilevel converters and predictive control. These technologies and algorithms facilitate the conversion of direct current generated by renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, into alternating current suitable for electrical grids, reducing energy losses and improving system stability.

These advances play a key role in the large-scale integration of renewable energy sources, including solar and wind power, while also supporting the optimization of industrial processes and the development of electromobility. Improvements in energy efficiency directly enhance the performance of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and modern energy systems.

Recognition of a Strategic Institutional Commitment

“This recognition reflects the commitment and quality of the work we are developing at USS,” said Dr. Rodríguez. “For the Center for Energy Transition, which was established only two years ago, being ranked second in Chile in the 2025 GRAS in Electrical & Electronic Engineering is especially motivating. It confirms that we are moving in the right direction and challenges us to continue growing toward becoming a center of excellence with global impact.”

The University’s inclusion in the 2025 GRAS reflects a long-term institutional strategy focused on strengthening areas where applied research can make a direct contribution to Chile’s technological and energy development. In a global context increasingly driven by electrification, decarbonization, and sustainable innovation, the ranking highlights the ability of USS researchers to contribute to the international scientific community through impactful and globally recognized research.

Rodrigo Navia, Dean of the USS Faculty of Engineering, emphasized the significance of the achievement for the institution. “Being included in this ranking is highly meaningful for the Faculty. The Shanghai Ranking is one of the most demanding and respected systems worldwide for evaluating university research performance. This result reflects the strategic work of our Center for Energy Transition, positioning USS at an international level in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and consolidating it as a high-impact research group in its field,” he said.

The recognition further strengthens USS’s international academic positioning and underscores the growing contribution of its researchers to addressing some of the most pressing technological and energy challenges of the twenty-first century.