Kerala launches ranking framework like NIRF; 12 categories include management, engineering, nursing

NEW DELHI: Kerala higher education minister R Bindu launched the Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework (KIRF) on Wednesday. KIRF, which will rank the higher education institutions in the state, is modelled on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) released by the union education ministry every year. However, KIRF has a number of additional criteria missing from the NIRF. These additional parameters include “scientific temper secular outlook”.

Through KIRF, educational institutions will be ranked annually across 12 categories, one more than the NIRF which is yet to rank nursing and teacher training colleges. The NIRF ranking includes a category for research which KIRF doesn’t.

KIRF ranking categories:

• Overall

• Universities

• Colleges

• Engineering

• Management

• Architecture

• Medical

• Dental

• Pharmacy

• Nursing

• Law

• Teacher education.

The Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) will be the implementing authority of the framework.

KIRF ranking parameters

“Kerala envisages the formation of a state-level institutional ranking framework without altering the core qualities and components of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). It is inevitable to patronise the socio-cultural heritage and values that the state has sculpted over the period of its democratic era. In the above context of academic dispositions, the KIRF has evolved after intense deliberations and collective discussions of expertise and stakeholders of higher education both inside and outside the state,” said the KSHEC in a statement.

The KIRF will rank institutions on five parameters. These are listed below:

• Teaching, Learning and resources

• Knowledge dissemination and research excellence

• Graduation outcome

• Outreach and inclusivity

• Scientific temper and secular outlook.

The first four parameters are similar to those in NIRF but the parameter of scientific temper and secular outlook, which includes weightages for adoption of green technology, and rankings and accreditations, is one that is added by the state.

The minister also launched the official website for the ranking framework, www.kirf.kshec.org.