IoE proposal highlights PU’s weaknesses

CHANDIGARH: Even as the Panjab University has been shortlisted for the Institute of Eminence (IoE) tag, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the university outlined its strengths and weaknesses by reviewing the National Institutional Rankings Framework (NIRF)-2018 in which the university was ranked 20th.

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 11

Even as the Panjab University has been shortlisted for the Institute of Eminence (IoE) tag, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the university outlined its strengths and weaknesses by reviewing the National Institutional Rankings Framework (NIRF)-2018 in which the university was ranked 20th.

If the varsity is granted IoE status, it will receive Rs 1,000 crore and autonomy to frame its own rules and regulations without any interference from the University Grants Commission/Ministry of Human Resource Development.

The score for the number of students passing out in exams in stipulated time is one of the lowest for PU (44.48). Comparisons were drawn against the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) as scored the highest on this parameter, 60 out of 60.

It is also highlighted that PU students continue to perform low on the employability scale. Employers rate PU at 23.58 out of a possible 100 marks. It is suggested that the university overcome its natural disadvantage in employability, given the narrow catchment area for students and the relative absence of natural opportunities for students to interface between industry and employers. The placement cell will be the natural unit to increase the interface between employers, industry and the government.

The university’s score on budget utilisation for students continues to be a cause for concern. The ranking agencies stipulate that money be spent on improving facilities available for students rather than merely spending it on construction and maintenance of building.

Research and impact of research has been a long-term issue at PU. The data shows that at PU, individual faculty members create high-impact research. This effectively places PU at the top or close to the top of rankings along the parameter ‘impact of research’. However, the overall productivity of faculty is among the poorest. This is because faculty is not producing the stipulated +1 paper per year and those that are, are not publishing in places that are listed in the international data bases.

PU continues to be short on PhD students. It was suggested to launch integrated PhD programmes that encourage students to study for their bachelors and masters at PU and finish with a PhD.

The varsity’s score on executive development programmes is extremely poor. Shortage of faculty was also highlighted in the report.

Poor productivity

The overall productivity of faculty is among the poorest. This is because faculty is not producing the stipulated +1 paper per year and those that are, are not publishing in places that are listed in the international data bases.