London: India cements eminent status as the second most represented nation in prestigious THE table; significantly increases presence in 2018 ranking with 42 institutions represented, up from 27 last year:  However, majority of its previously ranked universities drop positions as per Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies ranking 2018.

Country’s highest ranker – The Indian Institute of Science – rises to number 13, up from 14th place; The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur climbs 26 places to break into elite Top 50.

China’s domination of ranking continues; Russian universities progress; but trend of decline cuts across Latin American; ASEAN and Eastern European countries

Forty-two Indian institutions make the 2018 table – a significant increase from 27 in the previous year.

THE’s prestigious ranking comprises more than 350 universities – expanded from 300 last year – from 42 countries, across four continents.

The Indian Institute of Science is its highest ranker at number 13 – up from 14th place. But the National Institute of Technology Rourkela is the nation’s highest riser – leaping an impressive 57 positions to number joint 138th thanks, in particular, to improvements in research influence and citations.

Tezpur University gains 41 places to break into the Top 100. It shares joint 99th place with Russia’s National University of Science and Technology (MISiS) thanks to its improvements in teaching environment and research influence. The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur ascends 26 positions to break into the Top 50 at number 45, while the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay maintains its position at number 26.

But while several institutions have made big gains and the country’s overall representation in the table has increased, the majority of its previously ranked institutions have dropped places, and both the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi plummet from the Top 50.

The nation remains the third most represented in the Top 200 – behind China and Taiwan – however, it slips from 19 places to 17.

Times Higher Education expert Phil Baty: India can emerge as an “eminent player in global higher education … this is a pivotal moment”

Phil Baty, Editorial Director of Global Rankings for THE, said: “India undoubtedly has the potential to emerge as an eminent player in global higher education in the coming years. This is a pivotal moment. Sustained investment, a relentless drive to attract leading global talent, and a reinforced emphasis on international benchmarking will be crucial steps in helping India realize its global higher education ambitions. A strong international outlook boosts global reputation and research influence – key for ascending these important rankings – but it also inspires the healthy competition, collaboration and global networks that drive up quality and standards for all.”

He added: “So the government’s ambitious new Study in India programme to increase international student numbers, is very encouraging. And the new Institutions of Eminence initiative, which closely aligns with THE’s own world-class excellence model, certainly has the potential to elevate its selected universities on the global stage. Similar strategies have raised standards in many other emerging economy higher education systems, including China – and there is cause for optimism here too.”

Acting THE Rankings Editor, Ellie Bothwell, said: “Improving higher education is imperative to the future prosperity and stability of many emerging economies – a point increasingly recognized in national development agendas.

“However, we see from this year’s ranking that universities in emerging economies will have to demonstrate immense drive to grow their global ambitions. No institution can afford to stand still or remain inward looking. Global – and regional – competition is intensifying and every university will have to be more resourceful, innovative and internationally-oriented than ever to progress and reach their potential.”

China’s domination of the ranking remains uncontested, with the nation claiming one in six of the overall positions this year. It has 63 institutions represented – up from 52 in the previous year. Fifty-two of its institutions make the table’s Top 200 – more than any other country. Mainland China also dominates the elite Top 10, claiming seven spots – an increase from six, with Nanjing University entering the Top 10 for the first time, at number eight. For the fifth consecutive year, Peking University leads the table, with Tsinghua University ranked at number two. However, the gap between China’s elite universities and the rest of its higher education sector appears to be widening, with several universities falling places due to increased competition with other institutions in the country.

Taiwan remains second most represented in the ranking’s Top 200, claiming 18 positions in that group and 31 overall – led by the National Taiwan University, which sticks at number 10.  Its National Taipei University of Technology climbs 32 positions to number 137. However the majority of its institutions experience a decline, including its National Central University, which slips 21 places – and out of the top 100 – to rank at 103.  Meanwhile, Argentina, Bangladesh and Peru are new entrants this year. Argentina’s National University of Córdoba enters in at the 301-350 banding; as does Bangladesh’s University of Dhaka, while the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru enters at joint 195.

Top Institutes as per Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies University Ranking 2018

Source: Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies ranking 2018