Despite being named as the oxford of the east, Pune could hardly show its magic in the first-ever National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). The top institutions learned their lesson of not participating in the same as none of them got listed in Top 100 list of biggest universities and colleges. The Human Resource Ministry released the NIRF report in April 2016 and will be conducting a second round for the same in which many institutions will be seen participating.
Academicians from the city debated the presence of universities and colleges from Aurangabad, Nagpur, Nashik and other small towns in the same top 100 list where prominent institutions including Savitribai Phule Pune University, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, MIT Group of Institutions, Symbiosis International University could not make a place for themselves.
Earlier, many colleges explained that the lack of clarity in the application process, as well as less time for application, were some of the reasons why they could not participate. However, they are quite interested in participating in the second round.
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Wasudeo Gade, Vice-Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University explained that last time they were not able to gather the required information in the prescribed time as a lot of information was required for the participation process. He also explained that it is a time-consuming process and therefore could not complete it within the deadline. Similarly, Dr. Mangesh Karad, MIT Group of Institutions, the trustee said that that though one of their college secured the 95th position in the ranking, they are not satisfied with the same and aims at doing better this year. He also mentioned that this time, at least five colleges of the institute will be seen participating in the second round.