UoM, JSS figure among top 100 institutions in country

Varsities graded on basis of graduation outcome, outreach

True to its epithet of being an ‘Education Hub’, two universities from Mysuru have figured in the list of top 100 institutions in the country.

As per a survey conducted by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), a part of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, University of Mysore (UoM) secured the 36th rank in the universities category while Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara University (JSS University) bagged the 45th rank. In the overall institutions category, UoM stands in the 57th position while JSS University is in the 74th place.

In-charge UoM Vice Chancellor Dayananda Mane said that it was a moment of satisfaction as the NIRF declared the 36th rank for the varsity in the university category from among 774 universities in India which had applied in the year after celebrating the centenary.

Mane told reporters that UoM is also ranked 57th in the overall category from among 3,300 institutions.

Lamenting about not being able to participate in the ranking exercise last year due to some technical problems, he said now the target is to secure a place in the top 10 list and later compete with international institutions. “In fact, when the ratings of the Karnataka State Universities Rating Framework (KSURF) were released last week, we were disappointed as UoM did not figure in the list,” he said.

Lingaraja Gandhi, Director of UoM’s Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Board (PMEB), who acted as the nodal officer for providing data for the ranking surveys said that the UoM scored well in three of the main five parameters namely, graduation outcome (93.17 marks); outreach and inclusivity (53.51); and teaching and learning resources (41.59). “Even though UoM is doing well in the other two parameters of research and professional practices and perception, we were not able to provide supporting documents. Staff shortage, especially of teaching faculty, has affected the ranking negatively. It affects the teacher-student ratio and also research output,” he said.

Registrar R Rajanna said that the problem of staff crunch would soon be addressed. “The government has permitted recruitment of 205 faculty members including 55 backlog posts. Notification for the recruitment process would begin once the VC is appointed, he said.

To a question regarding the fate of applicants who had applied last year he said, those who have already applied earlier need not apply again and their candidature will be considered.

Mane said that despite all limitations, UoM is a model university and has been recommended as worthy of emulation by the state government in all respects.