India Enhances University Rankings Through Training Workshop
In a strategic move to bolster the global presence of Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), the Ministry of Education recently hosted a half-day Orientation and Training Workshop focused on QS World University Rankings. Conducted by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the session aimed to deepen institutional understanding of global ranking criteria and best practices, aligning with the goals set forth by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The workshop attracted around 400 participants online and over 60 attendees in-person at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, representing Central, State, and private universities, including autonomous institutions. These diverse contributions highlighted a collective effort to enhance the academic reputation of Indian universities on the global stage.
Significance of Global Benchmarking
During the event, Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary for Higher Education, stressed the necessity of global benchmarking and recognition for Indian universities. He commended the initiative and urged educational institutions to fully engage with global ranking systems to enhance their international standing.
Internationalisation Initiatives Highlighted
Mr. Armstrong Pame, Joint Secretary at the Ministry, presented an overview of the Ministry’s internationalisation programs, such as SPARC, supernumerary seats for international students, and the Study in India (SII) portal. He indicated that initiatives linked to internationalisation play a critical role in determining global rankings. Pame encouraged HEIs to focus on international student recruitment, faculty development, long-term partnerships, and outreach strategies to elevate their global visibility.
Workshop Insights from QS Experts
The workshop comprised two informative sessions led by Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director (AMESA) at QS Quacquarelli Symonds. The first session elaborated on the QS ranking methodology, discussing eligibility criteria and various pathways for increasing institutional visibility through different ranking categories, including world, subject, regional, and sustainability rankings. It also provided guidance on data submission via the QS Hub.
The second session delved into the indicators of research impact and reputation. It highlighted annual surveys conducted by QS to assess academic and employer reputation, along with tactics for improving research visibility and citation metrics.
Indian universities have made significant strides in the QS World University Rankings, with 54 institutions ranked in the 2026 edition, a marked improvement from just 12 institutions in 2014. This rising trend underscores India’s advancing global academic visibility and performance. Moving forward, further initiatives are essential—particularly in areas like internationalisation, research citations per faculty, and faculty-student ratios, which carry significant weight in ranking methodologies. Workshops such as this play a pivotal role in bridging these gaps and fortifying national efforts towards educational excellence on the world stage.
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