CONTENTS
- On the Relevance of University Rankings
- A Women’s Urban Employment Guarantee Act
On the Relevance of University Rankings
Context:
In the last two decades, global university ranking systems have become the focal point of attention in higher education ecosystems globally. Countries such as China, Japan, and Russia are investing significant resources to enhance the standing of their universities, aiming for “world-class” status as defined by these rankings. However, a recent trend has seen some universities worldwide withdrawing from participation in rankings due to concerns about the incentives created by these systems and their alignment with the universities’ own goals.
Relevance:
GS2- Education
Mains Question:
What are the concerns associated with national and global university ranking systems? How has India performed in these rankings and how apt is it to rely on them for future policy making in the field of education? (15 Marks, 250 Words).
Recent Rankings in News:
National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Ranking 2023:
- The recent unveiling of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Ranking 2023 highlighted the accomplishments and excellence of diverse educational institutions in India.
- For the fifth consecutive year, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, claimed the top position in the overall rankings. Simultaneously, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, was recognized as the best university in the rankings.
Parameters considered in NIRF Ranking:
The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024:
- The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024, in its 20th edition, have been published, with 91 Indian institutions earning a spot. This year’s rankings encompass 1,904 universities representing 108 countries and regions.
- The 2024 Rankings thoroughly evaluate globally recognized research-intensive universities, considering 18 key indicators distributed across five categories: teaching (29.5%), research environment (29%), research quality (30%), industry engagement (4%), and international outlook (7.5%).
Are ranking systems flawless?
Two critical aspects related to the conduct of the agencies overseeing certain ranking systems—conflicts of interest and data rights—need to be noticed.
Relying Solely on Specific Parameters:
- Critics highlight that the pursuit of higher rankings by universities parallels the flawed approach of relying solely on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the measure of a country’s prosperity.
- Drawing a comparison, the economists Joseph Stiglitz, Amartya Sen, and Jean-Paul Fitoussi argued in their 2010 book “Mis-Measuring Our Lives: Why GDP Doesn’t Add Up” that using a single indicator to gauge a country’s economic and social progress would inevitably neglect aspects like the environmental impact of its growth and measures of inequality, among other crucial issues.
- Experts have observed that the top-ranked universities across various ranking systems share common characteristics, being old, large, affluent, research-intensive, science-oriented, English-speaking, and located in the Global North.
- The NIRF rankings concentrate on a restricted set of parameters that fail to offer a holistic view of an educational institution.
- Disproportionate weightage given to metrics like faculty-student ratio and infrastructure facilities overshadows critical aspects such as teaching quality, industry collaborations, and alumni success.
Role of Citations and Reputation:
- Studies indicate that higher scores in research excellence within rankings are significantly influenced by two key factors: citations and reputation. For instance, Bielefeld University experienced a notable ascent from 250th to 166th in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) rankings.
- This surge is credited to the work of a single scholar who authored 10 papers, collaborated with hundreds of other researchers, mostly in The Lancet, contributing to 20% of the university’s total citations over a two-year period. It’s worth noting that these citations are not incidental but rather over-represented.
- Subjective measures of research excellence, such as citations, can significantly impact an entire university’s position in rankings. A case in point is the 2023 Science report highlighting the instance of Saveetha Dental College in Chennai rapidly climbing the ranking charts, allegedly through the manipulation of citations.
The Choice of Parameters:
- The methodology employed by the rankings like NIRF heavily rely on subjective criteria, such as perception-based surveys, leading to potentially inconsistent and misleading outcomes.
- This reliance on subjective factors makes it challenging to accurately gauge the true quality of an institution.
Conflict of Interest:
- In two analyses conducted in 2016, Richard Holmes, an expert in ranking systems and the organizer of the ‘University Ranking Watch’ initiative since 2006, pointed out that regional rankings by THE (Times Higher Education) seemed to favor universities hosting significant THE summits.
- Mr. Holmes suggested that these preferential changes were achieved, among other methods, by adjusting the way the ranking system accounted for citations.
- Similar occurrences abound, spurred by the value attributed to ranking schemes and the substantial benefits reaped by universities that achieve high rankings.
- Many organizations responsible for compiling and publishing rankings operate as private enterprises. Instances have arisen where these entities engage in consultations with universities to assist them in improving their positions within their own ranking systems.
The Issue of Data Security:
- Similar to conflicts of interest, another concern warrants scrutiny: when engaging in ranking assessments, universities and institutions give ranking agencies unrestricted access to their data, posing a threat to their data security.
- In essence, universities are required to provide the agencies with an unrestricted and perpetual authority over their data, encompassing details of institutional, industry, and research incomes, as well as patent information, without the need for future permissions.
- There is no justification for universities, particularly public ones, to consent to such an extensive grant of rights simply to partake in the ranking process.
Recent Developments:
- As these issues became increasingly evident, several prestigious institutions have openly rejected traditional ranking systems. In 2022, Harvard and Yale Universities spearheaded a boycott against the U.S. News & World Report’s rankings, citing a conflict between the career goals they envisioned for their law students post-graduation and the careers incentivized by the ranking system.
- Similarly, in 2023, Utrecht University in the Netherlands withdrew from the THE (Times Higher Education) world rankings for comparable reasons. Additionally, in India, several IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) have chosen to boycott the same rankings.
Conclusion:
As stated in the UN University’s commentary on ‘Global University Rankings’: “While rankings may have prompted some improvement in the quality of certain universities, there is a growing acknowledgment that they also encourage various detrimental behaviors and lead to systemic, long-term adverse effects.”
A Women’s Urban Employment Guarantee Act
Context:
Addressing gender disparities and promoting the empowerment of women constitute integral components of the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to ethical and constitutional obligations, there is substantial evidence indicating that boosting the employment rates of women can serve as a catalyst for economic advancement.
Relevance:
GS2-
- Social Issues
- Policies (Design and Implementation)
Mains Question:
Discuss the challenges faced by the urban female workforce in India. What can be done at the level of both public and private sectors to effectively enhance the employment rates of women in urban areas, both quantitatively and qualitatively. (15 Marks, 250 Words).
Relevant Statistics:
- According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), approximately 10.18 crore women in the age group of 15-59 in urban areas are currently outside the workforce. When considering those who are self-employed or engaged in casual labor, this figure rises to about 11.65 crore.
- According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the employment rate for women in urban areas was 22.9% in the last quarter of 2023, indicating a substantial unmet demand for employment among urban women.
- The urban unemployment rate, reflecting the desire for employment regardless of active job-seeking, is 9%, compared to 4% in rural areas.
Challenges Specific to the Women Workforce in Urban Areas:
- Despite operating well below its intended capacity, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has played a crucial role in granting financial independence to women in rural areas, with over half of its workforce being female. However, the situation in urban areas presents distinct challenges.
- Social norms, safety concerns, and limited transportation options deter urban women from entering the workforce.
- There are two categories of unemployment: those actively seeking employment and those desiring work but not actively searching. A larger proportion of unemployed women in urban areas are actively seeking employment compared to their rural counterparts.
- Additionally, approximately 25% of urban women have completed higher secondary education, contrasting with 5% in rural areas. The low employment rates among urban women underscore a significant underutilization of their potential.
- To tackle the overarching issue of urban unemployment, certain states have implemented urban employment programs. While these initiatives are not exclusive to women, initial indications suggest a higher level of female participation.
Establishment of a National Women’s Urban Employment Guarantee Act (WUEGA):
- The vision for WUEGA entails women constituting at least 50% (preferably 100%) of the program’s management staff. Involving women and local communities could potentially enhance the constitutional mandate of decentralization.
- Each worksite under WUEGA would provide essential facilities, including childcare services. Employment opportunities should be accessible within a 5-km radius, and public transportation for women should be free.
- Many women face challenges transitioning from school to work due to insufficient skills and mobility issues. A recent study in Delhi and Bengaluru revealed that three out of five women cited inadequate skills as a barrier to obtaining secure employment.
- Initiating apprenticeships for female college students across various disciplines could provide a pathway for women with advanced degrees to join as program personnel. Women who have completed Class 10 could qualify to manage Information Facilitation Centres at each urban local body, equipped with computer training facilities.
- These centers can be strengthened through consistent capacity-building initiatives to address the skills gap. Considering the limited uptake of apprenticeships in India, incorporating apprenticeships within a women’s urban employment guarantee can seamlessly align with the broader goal of preparing women for the workforce.
- Moreover, it can serve as a means to empower local communities by functioning as a centralized hub for registering grievances. Introducing a social audit unit within WUEGA, with a minimum of 50% women staff, could be devised for independent monitoring of the program.
- Social audits demand a diverse set of skills, presenting a valuable opportunity for women who have completed Class 12 to engage part-time or full-time and enhance their employability.
- Examples of such endeavors exist, with Karnataka being a notable instance where women are actively involved in comprehensive waste management, including tasks like collection and driving of ‘Swacch’ vehicles, within gram panchayats in selected districts. This initiative not only demonstrates success but has also empowered numerous women to obtain driving licenses.
Conclusion:
Depending on the outcomes and challenges, this initiative could serve as a foundation for a broader urban employment program that encompasses not only women but all individuals. The benefits of this proposal far exceed fiscal conservatism. It is also imperative to shift from viewing income as insurance to ensuring a steady income, particularly for women.
