IoE: How logic and data defy selection

NEW DELHI, JULY 13: While controversies surrounding the selection of ‘Institutes of Eminence’ (IoE) refuse to die down with MHRD pushing clarifications one after another, the global ranking data of Indian institutions put yet another question mark to the selection process. As per the prestigious global rankings like THE and QS World Ranking, many Indian institutes are placed at higher ranking with respect to the chosen set of institutions for IoE tag. Also, many institutes have shown a bright prospect in terms of going up the ranking chart over the last few years. Yet, the MHRD, in its pursuit for international level of institution with high global ranking, has deprived the already well-placed institutions of ‘IoE’ tag which would have enabled these institutions to fast track their mission to uplift their teaching, learning and research process towards a better world ranking.

Ranking: A key to grant IoE tag
When the government came up with an open invitation of applications for IoE status with current Ranking of institutions being one of the major criteria for being considered for entry into the coveted elite club, it had raised a hope for a fair selection process driven by data.

But, much to the disappointment of institutions and academicians, the final selection reflects an utter disrespect of the position that many institutions currently have in the global ranking tables.

First, let’s see where the five institutes – barring Jio Institute (presently non-existent), selected for IoE stand in ranking tables of THE World Ranking, QS World Ranking and NIRF Ranking (conducted by MHRD).

Institutions of Eminence: Ranking Status (2018)

Public institution selected for IoE:

 Private institution selected for IoE:

How did Ranking data suggest otherwise for IoE selection of Public Institutes?
Though Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have found their place along with Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in the list of IoE selection among public institutes, a few other institutes also rightfully claimed their place in the IoE selection list.

For example, IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur, despite being in the same range as that of IIT-D in THE World Ranking are left out of the final selection for IoE. Further, the NIRF Ranking itself puts IIT Madras higher than IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay. Still, IIT Madras could not find a place in the coveted elite club. The comparison of the institutions is based on their rank in the top 500 in the latest QS World Ranking 2019. [Table below]

Where does the conflict lie in IoE selection for Private Institutes?
The global ranking data as well as the ranking data of NIRF, which is done by MHRD, however, present a conflicting story with the ‘Institutes of Eminence’ tag for Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS).
As Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) have fared better than BITS and MAHE in a number of world ranking also, the logic defies the final selection.

Sample This:
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is placed in the range of 801–1000 in the latest THE World Ranking 2018 as compared to a ranking of beyond 1000 for Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), which has been selected for an IoE tag. Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is also placed in the range with Amrita. Thus, both Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and VIT are placed higher than MAHE in THE World Ranking 2018.

Further, the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), despite having found a place in the same range (801-1000) along with VIT and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in both - THE and QS World Ranking, has been considered superior among the three by MHRD. Ironically, in its own ranking of Indian Universities also, MHRD has put Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (NIRF Rank-15) higher than both MAHE (NIRF Rank-18) and BITS (NIRF Rank -26). Also, the VIT with an NIRF ranking of 24 is placed higher in the NIRF Ranking as compared to BITS. 

Also, as Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and Vellore Institute of Technology held on to their position in THE world Ranking in 2018 as compared to the previous year, both MAHE and BITS have slipped down this year in the ranking table as compared to their position in 2017. In a similar way, in NIRF ranking also, while Amrita improved in its ranking this year, BITS fell to 26th position as compared to its ranking of 21 in 2017.

It is interesting to know that out of the 10 promised, EEC was able to shortlist only two private players out of the 40 applicants excluding the proposed JIO institute. Which puts a serious question on the integrity and quality of private education in India.

Such anomalies in the selection of IoE put a big question to the intent as well as the authenticity of the selection process. Will MHRD be able to defend its logic against the publicly available data?
Careers360 will follow the developments on this issue and come up with an analysis of the other parameters of selection for IoE institutions.