Here's proof NUS is a better university than NTU

It ranked first for the first time.

Universities are very competitive places so students and faculty at NUS will have reason to cheer on learning that their institution was just ranked 1st in Asia. Not so happy will be NTU who ranked seventh.

According to the 2014 QS University Rankings, the National University of Singapore claims the top spot as the best university in Asia elbowing out last year's number one institution, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. National University of Singapore (NUS) is named as Asia's top institution for the first time in the said rankings.

The rankings reflect a swing in the balance of power, as Singapore and Korea overtake the traditionally dominant Japan and Hong Kong.

NUS's success is mirrored by Nanyang Technological University (NTU), which climbs to 7th, its highest ever position. Korea's KAIST climbs from sixth to second place, while Seoul National University (4th) and Postech (9 th ) also make the top 10.

Thirteen of the Chinese top 20 institutions have improved their position this year. Peking University slips three places to 7th, while Tsinghua University remains 14th. India's ranked institutions rise to 17 from just 11 last year yet seven of its top eight institutions drop. IIT Delhi is the top performer at 38 th.

Last year's number one institution, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology drops to 5th. 2011 table-topper Hong Kong University drops one place to third, making this the first time in the rankings' history that a Hong Kong university has not topped the table. Japan's University of Tokyo falls to 10 th, its lowest ever position.