Bharathiar university teachers express concern over NIRF ranking drop

ice, during which he provided conflicting statements about the incident. Further interrogation led to revelations that he allegedly perpetrated the murder when Priya, who he was in a relationship with, wanted to snap ties. He was booked and taken into custody.

In the absence of a regular ViceChancellor over the last two years that has apparently taken a toll on administration, senior faculty in Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, have expressed concern over the continuous decline in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking.

In 2023 NIRF ranking, the standing of BU in the category of ‘Universities’ at 21st position reflected a decline from the 15th position in the 2022 ranking.

The score in 2023 came down to 57.82 out of 100 from 58.25 in 2022.

Likewise, under the ‘Overall’ categorisation, the BU was placed at 36th position in 2023, from 24st spot in 2022. The score under this categorisation got reduced from 57.26 to 55.58.

The rating is done under five parameters: Teaching, learning and resources; research and professional practice; graduation outcomes; outreach and inclusivity; and peer perception.

The teachers are apprehensive about the university putting up a better show in the NIRF 2024 ranking, citing unfavourable ground realities visavis the five parameters.

The absence of representation for four university teachers (one assistant professor, one associate professor and two professors) in the Syndicate, due to which the grievances could not be redressed, is bound to impact the performance on the parameter of ‘teaching, learning and resources’, according to the teachers.

This parameter factors in student strength including doctoral students, facultystudent ratio with emphasis on permanent faculty, combined metric for faculty with Ph.D or equivalent and experience, and financial resources and their utilisation.

A cause for solace, however, is the current A++ ranking by NAAC Accreditation with Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.63 on a fourpoint scale. This ranking obtained in the latest cycle of accreditation in 2023 is valid till March 2030.