Year Ender 2023: From IIT Madras Campus in Zanzibar to FYUP, Top News in the Higher Education Sector

In a dynamic turn of events for the academic sector, several groundbreaking announcements have reshaped the educational landscape in India. From international collaborations with Australian universities and the expansion of prestigious Indian institutes to transformative policies such as the implementation of the Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP), these developments signify a significant stride towards globalizing education and enhancing academic excellence. Additionally, prominent global rankings shed light on the noteworthy achievements of Indian universities, emphasising their growing influence on the international stage. Here is some of the top news in the higher education sector:

Australia’s Deakin University and Wollongong University to Set Up Campuses in India

Union Minister for Education and Skill Development, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Australia’s Minister for Education, Jason Clare, have announced the opening of Deakin University and the University of Wollongong campuses in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The minister highlighted the move as bringing world-class learning opportunities to India and expressed gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for the vision to transform education through the National Education Policy (NEP).

NCERT Granted ‘Deemed To Be University’ Status

The National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been granted ‘deemed to be university’ status, according to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He announced during the NCERT’s 63rd Foundation Day celebrations, stating that the institution’s existing engagement in research and innovation led to the recognition of its national importance. The regional and state education councils throughout the country will function as off-campus of NCERT. The minister also mentioned that the nomenclature issue will be addressed with the introduction and passage of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill.

IIT Madras Inaugurates Campus in Zanzibar

IIT Madras launched its campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania this year. At present, a campus is located in Bweleo district, which is approximately 15 km south of Zanzibar Town. A permanent campus will be built soon jointly by the government of Zanzibar and the government of India. The IIT will offer BS and MTech programmes in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. In the first batch at IITM Zanzibar, students from Zanzibar, mainland Tanzania, Nepal, and India have been admitted with 40 per cent of the students being women.

Over 100 Universities Across India To Join FYUP

Starting from the upcoming academic session in August, 101 universities across India will implement the Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP), according to the University Grants Commission (UGC). This multidisciplinary four-year degree program will be adopted by central universities, ‘deemed to be’ universities, state universities, and state-private universities, with some offering it for all courses and others for select programmes.

IISc Bangalore Best Indian Institute in World University Rankings 2024

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 includes 91 Indian institutes, with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore leading among Indian universities in the 201-250 rank range. Notably, several Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) continue to boycott the rankings. The US has the highest representation, while India is now the fourth most-represented nation, surpassing China. Oxford University tops the list, followed by Stanford and MIT, with Harvard and Cambridge rounding out the top five.

QS World University Rankings: DU best sustainable institution in India

Delhi University (DU) has been recognized as the leading sustainable institution in India, securing the 220th spot globally in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024. While no Indian higher education institution made it to the top 200 globally, other notable placements include IIT-Bombay at 303, IIT-Madras at 344, IIT-Roorkee at 387, and IIT-Delhi at 426. The rankings evaluate universities based on social impact, environmental impact, and governance in addressing global challenges. The University of Toronto tops the list globally. The 2024 edition features 1,397 institutions across 95 countries and territories.

NIRF 2023: IIT Madras Secures Top Spot As Best University

IIT Madras has secured the top position in the NIRF Ranking 2023, as announced by the Minister of State for Education and External Affairs. The rankings consider factors such as teaching, research, graduation outcomes, outreach, and perception, covering various categories including overall, engineering, pharmacy, college, medical, law, architecture, and dental.

QS World University Rankings 2024: IIT-Bombay Best Among Indian Universities

IIT Bombay has achieved its highest-ever ranking, securing the 149th position in the QS World University Rankings 2024. This marks the first time in eight years that an Indian institution has entered the top 150 list. However, overall, 13 Indian universities have experienced a decline in rankings, with IIT Delhi slipping to 197th position and other reputed institutions facing similar setbacks. India remains the seventh most-represented country globally, with 45 universities in the rankings.