London: There are many surprises in Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. India increases its presence again, claiming 49 places this year, up from 42 – the fifth best-represented nation in the world. The country is the most-represented country in the table when nations with representatives in the top 200 are excluded.
The country is led again by the Indian Institute of Science, which retains its position in the 251-300 band. But in an impressive debut entry, the Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore) becomes India’s second highest-ranked university – and a global top 400 institution – with its strongest scoring for research volume and research impact. It overtakes the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, which slips from the 351-400 to 401-500 banding.
Times Higher Education (THE) publishes its 2019 edition of the prestigious World University Rankings today.
The definitive annual table – now in its 15th year – lists more than 1,250 higher education institutions globally, up from just over 1,100 last year, and features 86 countries, up from 81- making it the most competitive listing yet.
Speaking ahead of the World University Rankings launch, Pradeep Mathur, director of IIT Indore, told THE that the university has always focused on research by investing in research facilities, providing incentives for publications and patents, and recruiting committed researchers.
He said: “Our efforts in making research the focus of the institute is now reflected in the form of citation and other impact metrics of research. We continue to make research the focus of all our programmes which is why you see even our undergraduate students are active participants of research projects and collaborations within India and internationally too. We are committed to making IIT Indore a top notch research hub nationally and internationally.”
Meanwhile, Amrita University sees an impressive rise in the 2019 table, from 801-1000 to 601-800 this year, with a particular improvement in its citation impact (research influence) score.
However, while some institutions make gains this year, the majority of India’s universities remain static or decline, struggling amid increased global competition.
Phil Baty, Editorial Director of Global Rankings for THE, said: “India’s bursting with innovation and ambition – the nation has serious potential to grow into a leading player in global higher education. But while it increases its presence again in this year’s table, the majority of its universities remain immobile or decline, struggling against increased global competition – particularly from east Asia. Sustained investment, a continued drive to attract leading global talent, and a strengthened international outlook will be key to boosting its global reputation and research influence. Its current higher education reforms could be key to helping institutions progress.”
On the 2019 global picture, Mr Baty continued: “As China and other emerging nations position universities at the heart of national economic growth strategies, they could well challenge the continued Anglo-American dominance of the rankings in future years.
THE’s World University Ranking 2019 will be launched at THE’s World Academic Summit at the National University of Singapore.
Top Universities in India as per THE World University Rankings 2019:
- 251–300 Indian Institute of Science
- 351–400 Indian Institute of Technology Indore
- 401–500 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
- 401–500 Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
- 401–500 JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research
- 501–600 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
- 501–600 Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
- 501–600 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
- 501–600 Savitribai Phule Pune University
- 601–800 Amrita University
- 601–800 Banaras Hindu University
- 601–800 University of Delhi
- 601–800 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune
- 601–800 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- 601–800 Indian Institute of Technology Madras
- 601–800 Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar
- 601–800 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
- 601–800 Jadavpur University
- 601–800 National Institute of Technology Rourkela
- 601–800 Panjab University
- 601–800 Tezpur University
- 801–1000 Acharya Nagarjuna University
- 801–1000 Aligarh Muslim University
- 801–1000 Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
- 801–1000 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata
