Latest news with #EBalagurusamy
New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
QS World University Rankings '26: IIT-M in top 200, Anna University falls to 465
CHENNAI: The QS World University Rankings 2026, which was released on Thursday, presented a mixed bag of results for the state. While the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has made its debut in the top 200 in the rank list, securing 180th position, Anna University's ranking has slipped from 383rd position to 465th rank this year. IIT Madras has made an impressive leap of 47 places from last year's 227th rank to 180th rank this year, while Anna University's rank dipping by 82 places has triggered concern among faculties of the varsity. Academicians and faculties have blamed the vacant vice chancellor (V-C) post as the main reason behind the drop in its performance. 'For one year, the V-C post has been lying vacant. If an institution is headless for such a long period, it will obviously have an impact on research work, faculty efficiency, quality of education and discipline on the campus,' said former V-C of Anna University, E Balagurusamy. Faculty members also seconded the opinion. NIT Trichy's rank has also dropped from the 701-710 band to 731-740 bracket, while the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) has climbed up from 791-800 bracket to 691st rank. Notably, the University of Madras was ranked 526th in the QS World University Rankings 2024, however, the varsity, like last year, has failed to feature in the list this year too. The rank list released by the London-based higher education analyst, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) features 1,500 institutions across the globe. Of this 54 institutions are from India, among which seven universities are from Tamil Nadu. The other institutions from the state which have featured in the rank list are Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (901-950 rank bracket), SRM Institute of Science and Technology (1001-1200 rank band) and Sathyabhama Institute of Science and Technology (1201-1400). Meanwhile, IIT Madras has attributed the rank improvement to its strong performance in key metrics such as academic reputation, employer perception, faculty-student ratio, international collaborations and sustainability initiatives.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt yet to appoint V-C search committees despite SC order
Chennai: University of Madras sent a circular to eight colleges in March, asking them to postpone college graduation as it could not provide UG, PG, and MPhil degree certificates. Following an uproar, the circular was withdrawn. Likewise, Anna University announced that it would take severe action against faculty members and colleges involved in a fake faculty row last year. One year has passed, but no action has been taken so far. These are just a few examples of how state universities have been crippled without vice-chancellors. As many as 10 state universities have been functioning without vice-chancellors. Despite the Supreme Court's order empowering the state govt in appointing vice-chancellors to state universities, the Tamil Nadu govt is yet to form vice-chancellor search panels. "They have a clear mandate from the Supreme Court to appoint vice-chancellors for state universities. The state govt should go ahead and appoint vice-chancellor search committees as per the university acts," former Anna University vice-chancellor E Balagurusamy said. "The higher education department should initiate action for appointing V-C search committees based on the university acts. There is no need to wait anymore," he added. Several educational reforms, including revamping basic science degree programmes, introducing interdisciplinary programmes, and online degrees, have been long overdue without the academic heads for state universities. "The University of Madras used to be a pioneer in bringing innovative educational reforms in the state. Now, the university is at its lowest point as it has been functioning without a vice-chancellor for the past two years," said P Duraisamy, former vice-chancellor, University of Madras. The university decided to introduce online degrees in 2021. Due to a financial crisis, it could not launch an online degree in the past four years. "The entire education system has taken a step backward because of the stalemate in appointing vice-chancellors," said N Rajendran, former vice-chancellor of Alagappa University. Educationists urged the state govt to release the draft State Education Policy to get rid of confusion surrounding implementation of the National Education Policy. "The state govt need not implement the provisions of the National Education Policy. However, it should release the draft State Education Policy and frame the policy after public discussions," said V Vasanthi Devi, former vice-chancellor of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli.
