IITs Raise Issues of Transparency in THE World University Rankings 2020
After the release of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, IIT Bombay has revealed that they have not shared any data, which should have barred the institute from the list. However, THE officials have stated otherwise, stating valid data had been received for the rankings.
With the recent release of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2020, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi have raised issues regarding the transparency in the rankings. IIT Bombay has stated THE has mentioned IIT Bombay in the list of World University Rankings, even though they have not provided the organisation with any data.
Leading news agencies have stated that the Times Higher Education uses the data that is provided to them by the institutes themselves. They further added that in cases where particular information has not been provided, a conservative estimate is entered.
As per sources, Times Higher Education has stated that IIT Bombay has provided them with the necessary information. Phil Baty, the Editorial Director of THE World University Rankings, has stated that IIT Bombay has provided them with information with the date, time and the name of the person who signed-off the data. Baty also mentioned that they are careful in deferring names of institutes who have not provided any data for the rankings.
IIT Bombay Director: The Ranking is a Black box
IIT Bombay Director V Ramgopal Rao is of the view that rankings do not have much credibility. IIT Bombay has claimed that the institution did not submit the date for 2020 rankings. Rao informed that they have no clue where did they gather the data from.
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) will meet representatives of the London-based Times Higher Education early next year to raise the issues pertaining to transparency in THE World University Rankings.
Also Read:IIT Bombay Director: IITs Should Not Worry About Rankings
Over the past few years, under THE World University Rankings, the ranks of certain IITs have dropped while some other IITs have found their way into the list and have ranked higher than the top IITs in India. An official from IIT has stated that at the meeting they will be asking questions relating to the transparency in the rankings. With the latest revelation by IIT Bombay, they plan to talk on the validity of the sources of the data and the interpretation of the said data at the meeting.
The IIT Delhi Director, V Ramgopal Rao, through a Facebook post, stated that if the assessment for the ranking is conducted based on the scores for research impact alone, then many premier technological institutes will rank in the top 100s. He further added that Indian Institutes are unable to score a good rank in the perception-based criteria at the global level. He stated that the reason for a reduced score in these parameters was due to the institutes' "inward-looking nature and cultural issues".
Also Read:Panjab University Improves Rank in Centre for World University Rankings
Among the other World University Ranking lists, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi have been among the top performers in the education sector of India. Nonetheless, data from THE World University Rankings have displayed a different story, wherein the IIT Bombay’s rank has fallen from its previous year’s rank.