Latest news with #SavitribaiPhulePuneUniversity
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
QS World University Rankings 2026: SPPU is Maharashtra's top-ranked university, secures 566th rank globally
Written by Antara Kulkarni The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has secured the 566th position in the recently released Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026. QS evaluated over 8,500 universities globally, and its rankings encompass more than 1,500 universities. A total of 54 Indian universities found a spot in the rankings. SPPU is the top-ranked university in Maharashtra, and notched up the second position among public state universities in India. QS rankings involve the evaluation of universities based on five parameters with different weightage: Research and Discovery, Employability and Outcomes, Global Engagement, Learning Experience, and Sustainability. For the 2026 rankings, International Student Diversity has also been introduced as an unweighted indicator. SPPU has received a high score in the 'Research and Discovery' parameter due to a higher ranking in 'Citations per Faculty', which has shown a 124-point increase when compared to the previous year, despite a reduction in the number of faculty this year. The university has a high 'Global Engagement' score due to a higher ranking in 'International Research Network', and a high 'Learning Experience' score due to its performance in the 'Faculty Student Ratio' segment. The 'Employment Outcomes' score has also shown a 130-point increase over the 2025 rankings. Calculations based on these parameters have given the university a score of 29.3 out of 100. 'Moving forward, we remain firmly committed to further enhancing the quality of teaching, research, and global engagement in alignment with the transformative vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020… We are confident that once all the 111 sanctioned teaching positions are filled, Savitribai Phule Pune University will advance to a global rank within 500,' said Dr Suresh Gosavi, Vice-Chancellor, SPPU. 'The university has achieved an overall world ranking of 566, a significant improvement from its previous band of 631–640,' said Professor Parag Kalkar, SPPU, Pro Vice-Chancellor. (Antara Kulkarni is an intern with The Indian Express)
India.com
10 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
10 Incredible Facts About Pune City That Everyone Should Know!
The eastern Oxford stands among India's thriving metropolitan areas because of its deep historical heritage. The western Indian state of Maharashtra now contains Pune as it developed from a small Maratha fortification site into a thriving city which efficiently unites classic Indian customs with contemporary innovations. The following list contains ten significant facts that make Pune City so fascinating. 1. Historical Significance: The Seat of the Maratha Empire Pune serves as an important historical site because during the time of the Maratha Empire it served as their central power. In the early part of the 18th century the Maratha Empire founder Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj selected Pune to operate as his main military headquarters. The city's transformation to administrative and cultural capital happened when Pune fell under Peshwa rule which lasted up until the prime ministers governed the Maratha rulers. Shaniwar Wada represents the peak of historical glory through its establishment in 1732. Before its demise in 1828 the Peshwa rulers had their authority based in this location. 2. The 'Oxford of the East' Educational institutions in Pune have made the city earn its reputation as 'Oxford of the East.' Among India's top educational institutions are located in Pune which features the University of Pune (now Savitribai Phule Pune University) together with Fergusson College along with Symbiosis International University. Pune has built 300 educational facilities which draw participating students from India and international locations leading to its status as an Eastern Oxford style city. 3. A Hub for the IT and Automotive Industries Pune has established itself into a primary location for both information technology (IT) and automotive industries during the past several decades. Numerous IT parks operate in the city including Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park based in Hinjawadi that hosts major tech companies including Infosys TCS and IBM. The automobile sector has made Pune earned its nickname as the 'Detroit of India'. Tata Motors together with Mercedes-Benz and Bajaj Auto maintain substantial business operations throughout the city. 4. Cultural Diversity and Festivals Cultural intermingling thrives in Pune because the city attracts people from various regional backgrounds with multiple traditions along with multiple spoken languages. Residents in Pune speak Marathi as their primary language although migration from all areas of India combined with an increasing foreign community also calls the city home. The multicultural population of the city translates into numerous exciting annual celebrations. The famous festival of Ganesh Chaturthi brings extreme devotion from the people of Pune during its big annual celebration. Pune celebrates all major festivals equally including Diwali, Eid, Christmas and Navratri which symbolize its open-minded population. 5. Gateway to the Western Ghats Pune functions as a main entrance to the Sahyadri range foothills because it gives direct access to the Western Ghats which hold UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Citizens from Pune base their weekend excursions at natural attractions such as Lonavala, Khandala, and Mahabaleshwar because of the easy access these sites provide. Several beautiful locations surrounding Pune provide stunning sightseeing and hiking routes combined with peaceful lakes which attract population groups interested in nature discovery along with adventure lovers. 6. Military Importance and Cantonment Areas Throughout history Pune has developed into a military hotspot. Pune maintains its military importance through several defense institutions because the British built their cantonment in the city during colonial times. The Khadakwasla location of National Defence Academy holds a prominent position as India's premier military training center. Indian defense infrastructure maintains its presence through the College of Military Engineering and the Armed Forces Medical College situated in the city. 7. Rich Culinary Heritage The culinary landscape of Pune unites classic Maharashtrian tastes with international food elements. People commonly identify Pune through its original Maharashtrian food specialties including misal pav and puran poli and vada pav. The widespread street food markets on FC Road and Budhwar Peth provide visitors with many options of traditional local cuisine. Plans in Pune benefit all types of eaters since its diverse cultural environment supports various international dishes and traditional Maharashtrian tastes. 8. Progressive Social Movements The location of Pune stands as a leading position for many progressive social movements within India. During the British colonial era Bal Gangadhar Tilak along with other leaders fought for freedom from British rule in this strategic city center. The city of Pune currently serves as a central location where activists sustain feminist and environmental and LGBTQ+ rights campaigns. Pune stands out as one of India's largest cities to hold the annual Pride Parade which demonstrates the city's advance-minded people. 9. Architectural Marvels and Historical Landmarks Pune maintains a beautiful collection of architectural heritage because it embraces historical sites from different time periods. The Aga Khan Palace stands as a 19th-century architectural masterpiece that additionally served as a crucial independence movement base in 1892. The reconstructed parts of the Lal Mahal present visitors with valuable historical evidence about the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The city houses three notable attractions: the Parvati Hill Temple, Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple and the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum which contains numerous Indian artifacts. 10. Thriving Arts and Entertainment Scene The city of Pune presents an active arts and entertainment fabric which converts it into a major cultural destination. Several performance spaces alongside artistic exhibition spaces and music performance venues exist throughout the city. At the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) in Pune filmmakers find a comprehensive collection of valuable movies alongside cinematic historical artifacts. Pune also hosts the annual Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) and the Serendipity Arts Festival, drawing artists and audiences from around the world. To Sum Up With Pune seamlessly connects its historic origins to its advancing interests into the modern age. Since its time as the birthplace of the Maratha Empire Pune has evolved into an educational industrial leadership role while holding true to its authentic origins. All residents categories including readers of history and students and professionals and visitors can find attractions in Pune. Indian history and culture come to life through its engaging atmosphere together with modern technological advances that have established it as an energetic metropolitan area.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
At 17, Mumbai University among India's top 20 in QS World Ranking 2026
In a major academic milestone for the University of Mumbai, it has secured 17th rank in QS World University Rankings 2026, moving up its position among top 20 educational institutions in India. Last year it ranked 20th. This year, University of Mumbai holds the second spot among traditional universities in Maharashtra, only after Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) which ranks 14th nationally. The prestigious world ranking for educational institutions, released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), also shows that the university has managed a significant jump on the global rankings too. The University of Mumbai has moved up to the 664th position worldwide, from the 711-720 band last year. Mumbai University shows upward growth on the global platform in the past five years. From ranking beyond 1,000 in the year 2021, the varsity has jumped to rank 664 in QS World University Rankings 2026. According to the QS World University Rankings report, University of Mumbai has excelled in all areas, achieving the highest score of 91 in Employment Outcomes. This is followed by 53.7 in Citations per Faculty, 41.3 in Sustainability, 31.5 in Employer Reputation, 27.6 in International Research Network as well as remarkable performance in Academic Reputation, International students' diversity, and Faculty-Student Ratio. Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University, Prof Ravindra Kulkarni, said, 'These rankings are a testament to the dedicated and sustainable efforts made by every stakeholder of our university. We have launched a University Department Ranking Framework (UDRF) to further improve, and with growing international student numbers and ongoing faculty recruitment, we expect even greater achievements ahead.' According to varsity administration, this rise in rankings reflects years of focused development. In recent years, University of Mumbai has signed several national and international educational Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and has started various professional and skill-based courses. At national level, it has excelled in sports, cultural and outreach activities. There is a 156% increase in the number of research papers published in international journals. Total 12 departments/institutes are recognized under various national programmes and more than 80 teachers are on various professional bodies. And 18 National/International awards have been won by teachers in the last five years. Every year, nearly 20 teachers visit abroad for academic activities.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Chandrakant Patil urges universities to speed up professor recruitment
With the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) underway, the role of professors in delivering quality education has become increasingly critical. To ensure this, Maharashtra's Higher and Technical Education Minister, Chandrakant Patil, has urged all university Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) to accelerate the recruitment process for faculty positions already approved by the state government. A recent meeting of university V-Cs, chaired by Patil, reviewed the progress of NEP implementation and addressed various education-related matters. The State government has approved the recruitment of 600 professor posts across universities, including Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). However, the hiring process faced several delays, initially due to the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, and later owing to adjustments in the reservation policy. Commenting about the delay, Patil said, 'More than 600 posts have been vacant for over a year. The main reason for the delay was a stay imposed by Governor Ramesh Bais. He had suggested handing over the recruitment process to the MPSC, but that was not practically feasible.' There hasn't been a major professor recruitment in SPPU for many years, leaving many teaching positions vacant. The government's recent approval had raised hopes among qualified, job-seeking candidates, but continued delays have renewed their concerns. 'If one candidate has a PhD from Pune University and another from Gadchiroli, how do you assign equal weightage? I told the governor that this confusion is delaying progress and affecting the education system,' Patil said. With municipal elections expected to be announced soon, there is a looming risk of further postponement. Minister Patil emphasised the urgency, stating that universities must complete the recruitment process at the earliest to ensure the effective rollout of NEP and address staffing shortages. When asked about the recruitment, SPPU V-C Suresh Gosavi said, 'We will follow all the instructions given to us regarding the recruitment process. Everything is lined up, and we will begin the process smoothly next month.' Commenting on the delayed process, PhD scholar Tukaram Shinde stated, 'Recruitment has not been done for many years, and it is affecting students' academics. Under the NEP, students deserve quality teaching, but one teacher is often handling two subjects and facing an excessive workload. Several departments in the varsity are understaffed, affecting the futures of the students.'
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pune varsity files complaint over fake SET paper leak posts on social media
The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on Wednesday approached the Pune Cyber Police Station with a complaint against fake and misleading content being circulated on social media regarding a purported paper leak in the upcoming State Eligibility Test (SET). The state eligibility test (SET) examination department of SPPU, which operates under the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines and conducts the exam on behalf of the Maharashtra government, is the nodal body responsible for determining eligibility for assistant professor posts in universities and senior colleges across Maharashtra and Goa. Swapnali Shinde, inspector, cyber police, said, 'If any concrete information emerges, a press release will be issued. At this stage, the case is under investigation.' The 40th SET exam is scheduled to be held on June 15 at various college centres in 18 cities across Maharashtra and Goa. In the lead-up to the exam, some unverified claims and videos alleging a paper leak have surfaced online, triggering anxiety among aspirants. The university has categorically denied these claims and termed them baseless. 'These videos and posts have no factual basis. Students are advised not to fall for such misinformation,' the SET department said in a statement, adding that only updates issued through the official SET portal should be trusted. Rahul Sasane, representative of the University Students Action Committee, said the panel has submitted a letter to the vice-chancellor demanding probe into the issue.
