India moves up in global varsity ranking

London, January 16 

India has improved its showing in the prestigious university rankings of Times Higher Education Emerging Economies with 49 institutions, including 25 in the top 200, making it to the list.

China remains the most represented nation in the 2019 listing, with 72 institutions in total. It claimed four of the table’s top five positions with Tsinghua University topping the chart, according to the London-based Times Higher Education (THE), a global organisation that produces data, analysis and expertise on higher education.

Leading India again is the Indian Institute of Science (14th), followed by the IIT-Bombay (27th). However, both of them slipped back a place this year, largely due to increased competition.

This year’s table presents a mixed picture for India, with several new entrants and high risers, alongside several institutions that dropped back. India has increased its representation in the Times Higher Education Emerging Economies University Rankings with 49 universities on the list as compared to 42 in 2018, the organisation said. India has 25 universities in the top 200, a rise from 17 last year, it said. 

Meanwhile, Banaras Hindu University and Amrita University both scaled this year into the top 150, while the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, and the IIT-Hyderabad, featured for the first time in this group.

Ellie Bothwell, Global Rankings Editor for THE, said: “Indian institutions have immense potential for success — not only on the emerging stage, but globally. But, while progress is being made, other economies that previously lagged behind —such as Egypt and Malaysia — are starting to advance at a much faster rate.”

“In this year’s table, India's institutions perform well in teaching. However, they are significantly behind the global average in terms of international outlook. Strengthening this will further elevate the nation’s global reputation for higher education, encourage research collaborations and help attract international students.” 

Rs 3,600 cr for setting up 13 universities

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday granted approval to an expenditure of over  Rs 3,600 crore for setting up of 13 Central universities in the next 36 months. The new Central universities were established under the Central Universities Act, 2009, in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal, J&K, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. While one university each is to be set up in 11 of these states, J&K will get two new Central varsities.  — PTI