In a first, MU launches university dept ranking framework on the lines of NIRF

The University of Mumbai has 15 departments under the Science faculty, 8 under Commerce, Skills, Online/ Distance Education and Management, 10 under Human-ities and Social Sciences, 15 under Languages, 12 under Interdisciplinary Studies, and 20 Centres of Studies.

According to information shared by MU, all these departments will be evaluated through the quantitative evaluation system designed by MU along with two model colleges run by the varsity. It will be applicable from the current academic year.

The University Research and Development Cell (RDC), Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), NIRF Cell, and Board of Deans have contributed to the development of this ranking framework. It includes six main aspects: Research and Professional Activities; Departmental Administration and Management; Student-Support Achievements Progression; Teaching-Learning-Assessment Process; Faculty Output; Conferences Workshops and Collaborations.

This will further include parameters such as grants and funding received from various government agencies and industries, research and development projects undertaken by the departments including quality of research publications as governed by scientific databases, consultancy output, granted patents, technology transfer, various academic MoUs and industrial linkages, initiatives for courses under Swayam and MahaSwayam which are government run portals for online courses, outstanding performance of students in research, sports and cultural activities, alumni support, philanthropic funding, teaching reforms, green initiatives and peer perception.

Talking about the novel approach, Vice Chancellor of MU, Prof Ravindra Kulkarni, said, “The decision to rank the University Departments using the parameters of QS, NIRF, Times Rankings, and NAAC/ NBA Accreditations is a significant step toward fostering academic excellence and innovative research. This evaluation process will motivate University Departments to excel well by focusing on their potential, and strengths and undertaking continuous upgradation of their capabilities, in line with global quality standards.”

The External Expert Committees will evaluate the departments under respective categories and overall ranking of all 80 departments, schools, institutions, centres, model colleges will also be announced. The top-ranked department in each category will be awarded a prize of Rs 5-25 lakh.
Whereas departments with lower rankings will be encouraged and supported to undertake the necessary reforms, progress, and transformations through the “VC Initiative Mechanism”.

The top-performing department under the Overall Category will receive an additional Research Grant of Rs 10 lakh, and the second-ranked department will receive an additional Rs 5 lakh.

Also, the promising departments under the research and professional activities category will be given funding support under the title of “Department with Potential for Research Excellence”.

In addition, the university will also honor the individual teachers, based on their performance evaluation, under the categories of “Best Research Funding and Innovation Award” and the “Outstanding Research Publications Award”.