The era of "World-Class University" (WCU) has become one of the main concerns for many universities, including Indonesia. As one of the country’s leading public universities, Universitas Negeri Semarang (Semarang State University) is committed to pursuing WCU status through a range of academic innovations and institutional reforms. This study applies a case study method to examine the strategies adopted and challenges faced by UNNES in its WCU journey. The research is based on institutional data and performance comparisons with other universities in Indonesia and the broader Asian region. UNNES experienced a decline in its QS Asia University Rankings, falling from 601–650 in 2021 to 751–800 in 2025, primarily due to insufficient data submission, limited international publications, and weak global collaboration. To address these issues, this paper recommends consistent participation in QS data reporting, improved research output, enhanced partnerships with leading universities, and stronger engagement with industry. With sustained commitment and well-targeted strategies, UNNES has the potential to improve its international standing and advance toward its vision of becoming a globally competitive university.