Times rankings: Panjab University’s score slips in all five parameters

Even while Panjab University authorities continued to deliberate on improving their rank since the announcement of last year’s rankings, the varsity’s performance has slipped in all five parameters of the Times Higher Education Rankings 2014-15, slipping to 276-300 bracket top universities. Last year, the university was ranked among the top 250 universities of the world by the same agency.

PU has slipped four points in the research category, which takes into account factors such as research output, income accrued from it and reputation. Last year, PU had secured 14.5% in this category as compared to the 10% it got this year. Likewise, its points have also slipped in other parameters such as international outlook and industry income.

It was Pu’s citation points that salvages its rankings: despite a .3% dip, at 84.4%, PU has still secured the highest citation score among Asian universities. Japan’s University of Tokyo, which the agency pegs as the number one varsity in Asia, has secured 74.7% in the category.

Meanwhile, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, overtook PU this year and has been ranked number one in the country.

Since the agency released the rankings in October last year, PU vice chancellor AK Grover had been rallying for measures to improve the varsity’s rankings.

PU, meanwhile, maintains that the administration has undertaken measures to ensure that the varsity’s performance improves.

“These rankings were based on our performances in the past two-three years. While the activities we are undertaking will take a while to have an impact, it will certainly help the rankings improve,” said PU’s dean of research, Lalit K Bansal.

What is citation score?

Citation score is based on the frequency at which research of a university is used/quoted/cited by other researchers. The score is finally compiled after comparing citations of the universities that have applied for the survey.

What is times higher education ranking?

The Times Higher Education (THE), is a weekly magazine based in London which focuses on higher education. A leading publication in UK, it has been publishing the annual Times Higher Education Rankings since 2004.