In a strategic step toward strengthening the global presence of Indian higher education, the Ministry of Education organised an Orientation and Training Workshop on the QS World University Rankings for Vice-Chancellors and senior university officials. The initiative aims to enhance institutional understanding of global ranking frameworks and align university strategies with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
National-Level Workshop for HEIs on QS World University Rankings
The half-day workshop was organised for Vice-Chancellors and Nodal Officers of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and was conducted by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the global ranking agency. The programme focused on improving awareness of ranking methodologies, global benchmarks, best practices, and strategic pathways for enhancing institutional performance.
The workshop witnessed strong participation across the higher education ecosystem:
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Around 400 participants joined online
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Over 60 participants attended in person
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Venue: Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi
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Participants included representatives from Central, State, Private, and autonomous institutions nationwide
Secretary (Higher Education) Emphasises Global Benchmarking
Addressing the participants, Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary (Higher Education), underlined the importance of international recognition and global benchmarking for Indian universities. He appreciated the initiative and encouraged institutions to proactively engage with global ranking frameworks to strengthen their academic reputation, credibility, and international standing.
His remarks reinforced the government’s broader vision of positioning Indian universities among the world’s leading institutions.
Ministry Highlights Internationalisation Initiatives
Mr. Armstrong Pame, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, presented an overview of key internationalisation initiatives, including:
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SPARC (Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration)
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Supernumerary seats for international students
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Study in India (SII) portal
He noted that indicators linked to internationalisation significantly influence global ranking outcomes. Institutions were encouraged to focus on:
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International student recruitment
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Faculty development programmes
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Long-term global academic collaborations
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Enhanced institutional outreach and branding
These efforts, he emphasised, are essential for improving India’s global academic visibility.
QS Experts Provide Practical Guidance on Rankings Strategy
The workshop was conducted in two structured sessions by Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director (AMESA), QS Quacquarelli Symonds.
Session One focused on:
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QS ranking methodology and eligibility criteria
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Entry points across various ranking categories (world, subject, regional, business, sustainability)
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Guidance on accurate data submission through the QS Hub
Session Two covered:
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Research impact and visibility
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Academic and employer reputation surveys
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Strategies to improve citation performance and research outreach
The sessions offered practical, actionable insights for institutions aiming to improve performance across ranking indicators.
India’s Rising Presence in QS Rankings
Indian higher education has shown remarkable progress on the global stage. The number of Indian institutions featured in the QS World University Rankings 2026 has risen to 54, compared to just 12 in 2014.
While this growth reflects increasing global recognition, experts highlighted the need for further improvement in key areas such as:
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International faculty and student presence
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Citations per faculty
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Faculty–student ratios
Workshops like this are seen as critical capacity-building platforms to help institutions systematically address these gaps.
Conclusion
The QS Rankings Orientation Workshop marks an important step in India’s journey toward global academic excellence. By equipping university leaders with deeper insights into ranking methodologies, internationalisation strategies, and research visibility, the Ministry of Education is fostering a more globally competitive higher education ecosystem. As Indian institutions continue to climb global rankings, such initiatives will play a pivotal role in transforming India into a recognised global education hub.
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Source: PIB
