Youngest university to be ranked by NIRF - Importance of NIRF Ranking

“Ranking does denote power but responsibility”.

Selecting a reputed educational institute is a daunting task for students. During the past decade, educationists have expressed their concerns over the importance of global rankings and the lack of Indian universities, majorly technology and management institutes from this.

A national ranking framework was set up to make sure that universities keep working hard in providing scholastic education to the students that are at par with international standards. 

When students examine different colleges and universities, the most significant parameter they pay the most attention to is the ranking. Students are more likely to choose the education university or institute having a higher NIRF Ranking. 

Among various universities, Chandigarh University is the youngest university to be ranked by NIRF in India. It is one of the top 100 Engineering and Management Institutions in NIRF Ranking 2020.

What is the National Institute Ranking Framework?

NIRF was authorized by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and established by the Honourable Minister on 29 September 2015.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development organized a one day workshop on 21 August 2014 to accelerate strategies for the ranking of institutions of higher learning in India. The gathering was organized to establish a Committee for developing a National Ranking Framework. A core committee consisting of 16 individuals was developed on October 29, 2014.

The University Grants Commission developed a particular committee on October 9, 2015, to set out a structure for the ranking of schools and colleges in India. The system created by this committee has been merged into NIRF.

This scheme outlines a methodology to rank education institutions across the country. NIRF ranking of universities is based on five specifications. 

• Teaching Learning and Resources
• Research and Professional Practice
• Graduation Outcome
• Outreach and Inclusivity
• Perception

Each of these parameters has a specific weight and has sub-parameters. Also, there are independent rankings for different kinds of universities depending upon their area of activity like colleges and universities, engineering institutions, management institutions, pharmacy institutions, and architecture institutions. Chandigarh University’s Management division has jumped to the 51st Rank making it the youngest university to be ranked by NIRF.

What are these parameters?

The above-mentioned parameters have the following weightage. 

Parameter	Marks	Weightage
Teaching and Learning Resources	100	0.30
Research and Professional Practice	100	0.30
Graduation Outcomes	100	0.20
Outreach and Inclusivity	100	0.10
Perception	100	0.10

1. Teaching and Learning Resources

This parameter is linked with the basic activities related to any place of learning. It denotes the teaching and learning resources available to the institute and how they are used. 

Let’s have a look at the sub-parameters of Teaching and Learning resources:

• Student strength with PhD students.
• Faculty Student ratio with attention to permanent faculty.
• Consolidated Metric for Faculty with PhD ( or equivalent) and experience. 
• Financial Resources and their use

2. Research and Professional Practice(RP)

This parameter measures the quality and standard of research being carried out and scholarship provided to students. 

Following are sub-parameters:

• Combined Metric for Publications
• Combined Metric for Quality of Publications
• IPR and Patents
• The impression of Projects and Executive Development Programs

3. Graduation Outcome

This parameter inspects the ultimate goal of students and graduation standards. It is calculated based on the following sub-parameters:

• Integrated Metric for Placement, Higher Studies, and Entrepreneurship
• Metric for University Examinations
• Median Salary
• Metric for Graduating Students admitted into best universities
• Metric for number of PhD students who graduated

4. Outreach and Inclusivity

This is the parameter that measures the representation of women, marginalized, and minorities in the institution. Following are sub-parameters:

• Per Cent Students from other states/countries
• Percentage of Women
• Economically and Socially challenged students
• Facilities for physically challenged students

5. Perception(PR)

This parameter examines the overall perception of the institute by industry, peers, and researchers. It has the following sub-parameters:

• Peer Perception: Employers and Research Investors
• Peer Perception: Academic Peers
• Public Perception
• Competitiveness

Importance of NIRF Ranking

A ranking shows that a particular institute is better than the rest and parents/ guardians can place their interest in that university. 

How is Chandigarh University’s NIRF Ranking advantageous for students?

The youngest university to be ranked by NIRF, Chandigarh University stands out among other institutes in the country because of the world-class academic learning. For the engineering division, CU is ranked 84th by NIRF. The university has been benefiting from this ranking system. Here are the main reasons why this is advantageous for the rest.

Visual Display

In India, it is a challenge to select a reputed and accredited university because of the large number of colleges. It requires extensive analysis. However, with NIRF, the entire scrutinization is already done by a group of committed and highly qualified professionals and represented as ranks. 

Reliability

NIRF ranks are supported by a thorough inspection of the particular university. The students can draw a clear picture of the institution based on the rankings and can make a wise decision. These ranks depict an assurance gauge of the college.

Comparison

Due to a large number of engineering and management colleges, it is easy to get lost in the data. NIRF ranking lets you compare the numbers and decide the one which suits you best. Since these ranks are based on different criteria and hold for every institution, a comparison is also strictly following these parameters only. Chandigarh University is taking this rank as a challenge and is the youngest university to be ranked by NIRF working hard to upgrade.

Assurance

Let’s be transparent, even though the admission and selection process for Chandigarh University are authentic, some colleges rely on unethical practices. It is a money-making business for many institutions to attract students with false certificates and ranks. But with a government credible ranking system like NIRF, these offences are impossible. The institutes participating in NIRF ranking must comply with strict parameters and through this can they achieve a great score.

NIRF ranking can help in strengthening a candidate’s decision in their college selection process. Due to the strict parameters that this ranking system imposes, it is apparent that the college needs to maintain top quality to obtain a good rank. Chandigarh University has showcased diversity and potential by integrating a ranking system proving to be the youngest university to be ranked by NIRF.