Prof. (Dr.) T G Seetharam

India is today developing as a knowledge hub of the world. India’s rich knowledge capacity is evident in the Vedas and Upanishads, serving as vast sources of wisdom for centuries. With our ancient Indian universities such as Nalanda and Takshashila, India has been an international knowledge hub of the past. Once again, we are re-establishing ourselves to be Vishwa-guru.

The value of Indian education and significance of Indian Universities is seeing tremendous growth and relevance worldwide. Recently, nearly 100 Indian Universities entered in World University Rankings announced by the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) magazine. The top performing Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, returned to the global 250 for the first time since 2017. Presence of ninety-one Indian universities in the list is considered as a significant increase from last year's 75.

The ranking of Indian Universities and Institutions is a remarkable achievement for the Indian education system. India has well and truly embraced the international agenda, and international competition, with an unprecedented 91 universities making it into the Times Higher Education World University Rankings this year – making India now the fourth best represented nation in the rankings.

At a time when getting a degree from foreign Universities has become the latest fashion, Indian Universities are proving themselves on the global scale. According to THE Magazine rankings, the second best performing universities in India are: Anna University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Mahatma Gandhi University, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences. Two IITs -- the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati and Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad -- moved up two bands to join the world's top 800 universities, from 1001-1200 to 601-800.

The ranking of Universities in India and the world depends on various parameters. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, various important initiatives and reforms have been taken to augment the quality and reach of education, equip universities with modern infrastructure and future ready for global competitiveness. To become Vishwaguru, India is focused on its aim to empower higher educational institutions to attain the highest standards. As the PM said, “Our education system has a huge role in achieving the goals with which 21st century India is moving”, the Universities’ ranking too have an important role to play in the global paradigm of education.

India's model of ‘low cost’ and ‘best quality’ paves the way for Indian Universities to showcase their capabilities universally. The respect for India’s education system has significantly increased in the world with the increase in India's industrial reputation and startup growth ecosystem, resulting in global universities willing to open their campuses in India due to the positive changes coming in the education ecosystem.

It is evident that the strength of the nation is determined by knowledge, culture and values. In line with the same, AICTE encourages all Indian Educational institutions to focus on building human values, knowledge, social consciousness to enable the young minds to shape their future life and destiny of the nation.

(Author is the Chairman of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi since December 2022.)