The Shanghai Ranking, officially known as the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), is an annual ranking of global universities. Established in 2003 by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, it evaluates institutions based on research output, quality of faculty, and academic performance. The ranking considers various indicators, including the number of Nobel Prize winners and highly cited researchers affiliated with each university. It aims to provide a clear and objective assessment of academic excellence, helping students and researchers identify leading institutions worldwide.