I tried to contact Reuter using a reply button of the survey e-mail but it bounced back.
However, the reason why some of the best universities in India are not in global rankings is far deeper than survey design or operational flaws. From my vintage point, it's a matter of how we structure and rank our scholarly values. In the US and Europe, research is considered the highest value (as reflected in number of publications in top journals such as Management Science (for Operations Management discipline), EJOR etc. Next is teaching and then professional service. BTW if you are an editor or have a senior ranking editorial capacity on a good journal, it is considered the highest scholastic accomplishment and as a clear evidence of sustained high-quality scholarship. We do not see that kind of value structure in INdia. Here teaching is the dominant scholarly value. I believe that with their great flourish in English and superior intellect, Indian scholars can easily publish in top journals. Unfortunately the daunting teaching load, none or minimal grading support, lack of access of articles addressing recent developments in a field are all factors that work towards decelerating research productivity. [I have for instance electronic access to over 150000 journals in all fields... ].
I think recipe to become world class is fairly simple but requires a lot of planning and a recasting of scholarly values-culture and a total commitment (including a reward and penalty structure) from the institutional head to the point of obsession. Finally, we need to play by the rules of the west, however unpalatable they might be.... once there, we may influence the rules. The recipe is: 1. Publish is top US/European journals voluminously (there is whole science to it but it can be surely done), and 2. Organize a global conference on an emerging discipline where you get globally renowned key note speakers, and sessions should be rigorously reviewed for content quality. Also, institute an award that is globally revered but ... that's after the institution has established itself as a leader.
Currently the discipline that needs to be explored for uplifting an institution of higher learning into the portfolio of world class institutions is sustainable development in my view.
What do others think?
Ashok
From: join_mtc@googlegroups.com [join_mtc@googlegroups.com] on behalf of Satya Prakash Agarwal [spagarwal@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 03, 2013 7:48 AM
To: join_mtc@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [MTC Global] College rankings - American perspectives
Sent: Friday, May 03, 2013 7:48 AM
To: join_mtc@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [MTC Global] College rankings - American perspectives
May be the Americans do not know how to appraise, assess and rank universities. May be they are biased.
May be we as a country and society feel so low and down with such low ratings.
May be we need to have our own 'independent' rating for feedback and correction.
I AM INVOLVED IN FORMAL TEACHING FROM 1969, ABOUT 44 YEARS, INCLUDING AT WELL RECOGNISED INSTITUTIONS LIKE IIMA. I HAVE STUDIED IN SYDENHAM COLLEGE WHICH WAS CONSIDERED AS THE BEST COMMERCE COLLEGE IN ASIA, WHILE I WAS THERE FROM 1961-65.
I HAVE HAD A REASONABLY GOOD ACADEMIC RECORD HAVING STOOD FIRST IN THE UNIVERSITY, FIRST IN INDIA IN COST ACCOUNTING, SECOND IN INDIA IN CA, THIRD IN THE WORLD IN COSTING GROUP OF UK, ETC. MY STUDENTS AND TRAINEES AND SUBORDINATES OCCUPY QUITE A FEW TOP AND SENIOR POSITIONS IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.
The reason, I am mentioning the above is because some of you may question my credentials. I have witnessed a DEFINITE DECLINE AND FALL IN STANDARDS OF OUR EDUCATION OVER TIME. I AM NOT SURPRISED IF WE ARE RATED POORLY THOUGH WE LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE GREAT IF NOT THE GREATEST. TO ME WE SEEM TO LIVE IN A STATE OF HYPOCRISY AND MAKE-BELIEF.
INSTEAD OF BEING DEFENSIVE, I WOULD BE HAPPIER, IF I COULD SEE AN EDUCATION GROUP DISCUSSING HOW WE CAN BECOME BETTER AND THEN BEST, AT LEAST, IN SOME AREAS.
I PERSONALLY BELIEVE AND AM CONVINCED THAT WE CAN BECOME BETTER AND STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IF WE HAVE A DESIRE, DETERMINATION AND BELIEF IN THAT DIRECTION.
LET US WAKE UP AND MAKE INDIA GREAT!!
Best regards.
Satya Prakash Agarwal
On Fri, May 3, 2013 at 2:09 PM, Dr Vinod Dumblekar <dumblekar@yahoo.com> wrote:
--College rankings
By Jenna JohnsonIf college rankings are to be believed, Warren Wilson College in North Carolina has the most liberal students, the College of Wooster in Ohio has the smartest professors, and Rice University has the happiest undergrads. And the very best college in the country isPrinceton. Or Harvard and Princeton in a tie.It doesn't take a bachelor's degree to figure out that most college rankings are at best highly flawed and at worst completely bogus. Rankings formally started back in the early 1980s, when U.S. News & World Report came up with measurements to judge the nation's top universities so consumers could vet a school before enrolling. The list weighs many factors, including academic reputation, retention and graduation rates, faculty pay and credentials, incoming student test scores and alumni donations.Over the years, this methodology has become complicated and controversial — and sometimes the results are inaccurate. In the past year, U.S. News has publicly shamed a number of schools for fudging their numbers or outright cheating. George Washington University lost its No. 51 ranking after school officials disclosed that they had accidentally miscalculated the academic credentials of incoming freshmen.U.S. News likes to describe its rankings as a public service to consumers — but sales of magazines, books and Web advertising driven by clicks have been highly profitable for the company. And that success and exposure have prompted others to get into the game. Even the Obama administration recently unveiled a college scorecard Web site. It has data on nearly every college in the country and focuses on graduation rates and affordability, which some have criticized as an overly simple way to compare schools.The worst rankings are those that attempt to evaluate such things as party scenes, dorm food and even professors' looks — based on online surveys, questionable statistics and unfair stereotypes. There is no way such lists help students properly pick a college.While rankings are often the starting place for many college searches, most families tend to make their final decisions based on information provided directly by the school. Other factors, such as cost, distance from home and a campus's atmosphere during a whirlwind tour — and, frankly, gut instinct — can be far more influential than rankings. While a sliver of the population enrolls at the nation's most selective, top-ranked colleges and universities, many more attend institutions that you've probably never heard of, schools that are not always forthcoming about their abysmal graduation rates, sky-high student debt loads, teetering accreditation and serious financial problems.How about we stop obsessing about rankings and start caring about that?Jenna Johnson reports on higher education for The Washington Post.
Best wishes.--------------------------------------------------------The great aim of education is not knowledge but action. ~ Herbert Spencer
Dr Vinod DumblekarMANTISManagement Simulation Gamesdesign | development | deliveryPh : +91.9818631280
MTC GLOBAL- Educate, Empower, Elevate
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