Universities are considered to be seats of knowledge generation in a civilized society. A country is often looked up to because of its excellent practices in education, the manner in which it is able to raise the level of the education and literacy of its people and also its contribution to building a competent human resource. The Indian higher education is the second largest education system in the world. With more than 1000 Universities and 50,000 colleges, it also becomes a complex higher education system. More than 65% of higher education in India is privately managed. Therefore, to understand the quality of higher education that is imparted by these Universities becomes equally complex, and accreditation and rankings form the basis of quality and benchmarking of higher education institutions.
Ranking systems are directly linked to the reputation and prestige of a university. Higher rankings enhance a university’s reputation and prestige, attracting top students, faculty, and funding opportunities. It also provides a competitive advantage in recruiting students, faculty, and research grants.
A good or high ranking of a university is also a quality assurance indicating students and stakeholders that the university meets certain standards of education.
In earlier times in India, the standard of universities was maintained through various means, primarily through rigorous educational systems, well-defined curriculum, and a strong emphasis on teacher-student relationships. The curriculum in ancient Indian universities, such as Takshashila and Nalanda, was comprehensive and covered various subjects including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, politics, and philosophy. Universities in ancient India received patronage from kings, nobles, and wealthy merchants, which enabled them to maintain high standards of education and infrastructure.
However, in modern times, internationalization has become extremely important for universities seeking to attract international students and faculty, and therefore, rankings can serve as an indicator of the institution’s global standing. Rankings can hold universities accountable for their performance by providing a transparent and standardized way to compare institutions. It allows universities to benchmark their performance against peers and identify areas for improvement. While the QS and THE World University Ranking Systems have been acknowledged ranking systems for all universities the world over, in India too we look up to the national ranking framework NIRF and the NAAC Accreditations as credible sources for validating a university. Therefore, ranking systems can play a significant role in shaping the identity and success of a university in a competitive higher education landscape.
The journey towards a higher ranking is not a sprint but a marathon that requires years of dedication, discipline, and hard work from all university stakeholders. It is a testament to the value-driven ecosystem created, and when this is in place, the university’s goals are bound to bear fruit. A balanced combination of a well-structured educational system, renowned teachers, a comprehensive curriculum, and support from patrons is the key to maintaining the high standard of universities.