President of India Expresses Happiness Over Iisc Coming in Fifth Place and 31 Indian Institutions Figuring in…

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee expressed happiness over Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru attaining the fifth position in the QS BRICS Universities Ranking 2015 and 31 Indian institutions figuring in the top 200 of the ranking.

He was speaking after receiving a detailed analysis of India’s performance in the QS BRICS Universities rankings today (July 11, 2015) from Mr. Mohandas Pai, Chairman of the Indian Centre for Academic Rankings and Excellence (ICARE) at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ICARE has been helping Indian Institutions of higher learning better understand global ranking parameters and encouraging their pro-active participation in the global ranking process.

Mr. Pai informed the President that IISc not only ranks number 5 across Universities in all BRICS nations but is also ranked number 1 among BRICS countries in the parameter pertaining to research papers per faculty. He said 31 Indian Institutions have figured in top 200 in the 2015 QS BRICS Ranking, a rise from 20 in 2014. In the top 400, India has 94 institutions. More complete data from Universities in India has been responsible for much of the improvement in performance. Data collection still remains the greatest challenge in India. 50 Universities did not provide full data in spite of constant follow up and request.

Responding to the presentation, the President said it was a proud moment for him and his associates at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Over the last two and a half years, he has addressed around 100 academic congregations calling upon them to improve their position in global ranking. India has outstanding and inherent talent, in both students and teachers which should be given a conducive environment to blossom. Nobel laureates like Har Gobind Khorana, S. Chandrasekhar, Dr. Amartya Sen and V. Ramakrishnan did their graduate or post-graduate studies in Indian Universities before they went abroad for higher learning. Our institutions sometimes are complacent and presume that the world is aware of what they are doing. If they come out of this mindset, they can achieve wonders. It is important to let the world know what their achievements are.

The President expressed happiness that a large number of Central Universities have responded to his appeal to take measures to improve the quality of education, set up innovation clubs, create Networks of Inspired Teachers etc. He said Indian Universities have the potential to be the best, provided they can apply themselves to the task of improving quality and submit regularly relevant information to the ranking agencies. The President said he intends to interact with students and faculty of higher education institutions through video conferencing in the month of August using the National Knowledge Network.

The President of India is ‘Visitor’ to 114 Institutes of higher learning including all Central Universities, Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, the Indian Institute of Science and Indian Maritime University. In his capacity as ‘Visitor’, the President has visited 99 institutions since he assumed office. He has also convened in Rashtrapati Bhavan three conferences of Vice Chancellors of Central Universities, two conferences of Directors of NITs and one conference of Chairmen, Board of Governors and Directors of IITs in the last three years. The President has instituted Visitor’s Awards for the best Central Universities to promote healthy competition and motivate them adopt best practices from around the world. Further, the President has in all his foreign visits, included representatives of academic institutions as part of his accompanying delegation with a view to promoting international collaboration in education and research in our universities.

This release issued at 1700 hrs