Ranking is the process by which an institution or organization is evaluated to know to what extend it has acquired perfection, taking into consideration the yardsticks which are the parameters used for judging the quality of the institution. In this regard it is essential for any developing institution to set a goal which is ideologically the perfect. In the event an institution reaches that perfection, the goal can be refined again as per the changing need and signs of the time which again is an on-going process.
The structure and constitution of an Institution or an Orgainsation is constituted of many departments. When an institution undergoes the ranking process each of its department is individually considered. This will help the institution to know each of its department closely in its performance and strength and the head will know where it has to give more attention for its overall improvement.
As the ranking helps the institution to know the strength and weakness of all its departments, it helps the institution to know where it stands in relation to such other similar institutions. Thus setting up the goal which is the perfection that is looked for and setting up the parameters with which the perfections are measured are the first step of the process of ranking.
No institution can remain stagnant : either it should improve or it will deteriorate. Always a good institution will improve as the years pass by. Very often the institution may not know that whether it is progressing or deteriorating since it is not scientifically evaluated. An objective and scientific evaluation of an institution by an independent organization which is an expert and in do so will help the institution to set the goal, to know where exactly it stands in relation to other such similar institutions and also to know deeply the strength and weakness of all its departments or contributors. Since it is being judged scientifically by the experts they in their turn will be able to give the institution suggestions towards the improvement which is of great support to the growing institution.
The motivational impact on the members of the institution will be very great with this an objective and impartial ranking. Above all the ranking directly leads the institution into competition which is the world order today. A healthy competition always contributes positively to the growth of the institution.
The quality and the strength of the ranking organization is a matter of concern also. The objectivity and the quality of the parameters that they use which is tested by time and experience will be the real strength of the ranking organization. Our Country is good at imitation without looking into the quality of contents. One should keep away from the personal vested interests during the process of setting up the parameters and the ranking itself. Failure in this regard will keep away the objectivity of the ranking which in turn will defeat the purpose of ranking.
A close study made with regard to Schools and School Examining Boards and affiliated Colleges and Universities revealed that the most Schools and School Examining Boards are doing fairly well while the Universities and their affiliated Colleges are not doing well in India. It shows that the higher education in India needs a lot of improvement. The ranking will definitely help the Universities and each of their affiliated Colleges to know each ones strength and weakness to improve the performance and quality.
There is a feeling that everything that is ‘foreign’ are better than what we have in our Country. It is nothing but the lack of self confidence and self respect. There are very many things which are much superior to the foreign. Again there is a feeling that the judgment given by the foreign agencies are superior to ours. Even with regard to the ranking of our educational institutions, many think that a foreign accreditation is always superior.
To judge the quality of our educational institutions we don’t require an outside agency to judge and certify. Our agencies in India know the situation and the circumstance in which we are living and such a ranking will be more objective and genuine. In many cases the circumstance and situation in other Countries may be different.
We should have our own organizations set up in our Country and they should give the Certificate of Merit or Ranking rather than running after the foreigners to judge us and give us certificate which is below our dignity. We should set our own ranking parameters and while doing so we should be open to receive any good points that can be integrated into, no matter from where they are coming.
Our present century is very much influenced and controlled by the media. Because of this the media has got a great role to play and it is even part of their duty that they give correct informations about the genuine ranking organizations with their parameters to the public, and also the position of various institutions as per their quality and merits. This will give a wide range of motivation to the institution to improve their quality, which in turn lead to a healthy competition.
Rev. Dr. Jose Aikara Chairman, CISCE