The annual EducationWorld Grand Jury India Higher Education Rankings were introduced in 2019 to acknowledge and felicitate higher education institutions (HEIs) — especially newly-promoted, low-profile HEIs. Special juries of knowledgeable educationists are constituted to recommend conferment of the EW Grand Jury Awards upon higher ed institutions implementing best practices.
To select progressive higher education institutions across the country, we invited nominations from educationists, individuals and higher ed institutions themselves supported by evidence of best practices in 14 categories including extraordinary leadership, campus design excellence, best academia-industry alliance, new-age study programmes leader among others.
Evidence-supported nominations were received from 510 higher education institutions countrywide. To assess the evidence and rank nominated institutions in each category, this year’s Grand Jury comprised eminent educationists Prof. A.S. Seetharamu, former professor of education, Institute of Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru and education advisor to the Karnataka government, Mehul D. Mehta, chairman MDM Group, start-up mentor and investor, Dr. Hiren Ghelani, IT entrepreneur & coordinate member of Saurashtra University and Gujarat Technical University. The Grand Jury duly assessed the nominations and supportive evidence and ranked Top 10 HEIs in each category.`
Best Academia Industry Alliance
Institutions spearheading alliances and collaborations to bridge the academia-industry gap, promote industry internships, enhance graduate employability and job-readiness.
“We are overwhelmed by the India #1 award for Best Academia Industry Alliance. It validates that we are moving in the right direction. As one of the country’s Top 10 private autonomous colleges, our prime objective has always been to offer new-age programmes and deliver industry-connected education that prepares our students for 21st century workplaces. Therefore, we have ensured that our curriculums are continuously updated with inputs from business and industry. Moreover, we provide several internship opportunities and top companies such as Reliance and Motilal Oswal visit our campus annually for placements”
— Prof. Dr. Moushumi Datta, Principal, Nagindas Khandwala College, Mumbai (estb.1983, 6,800 students and 80 teachers)
University of the Year
A university which demonstrates exceptional performance in the academic year 2022-23 in terms of academic outcomes, research, teaching, faculty development programmes, and innovative initiatives.
New-Age Study Programmes Leader
Higher education institutions pioneering the introduction of new-age and futuristic industry-aligned study programmes.
Diversity Inclusion & Equity
Institutions which admit students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, cultures and nationalities. Provide all students equal opportunities and ensure their participation in all activities regardless of culture, language, gender, economic background or disability.
“We are overjoyed to be ranked #1 all-India in the category of New Age Study Programmes Leader. It acknowledges our commitment to creativity, innovation, and academic excellence. The distinguishing features of NAFDI are its industry-connected curriculum; high-quality faculty, most of whom are practicing professionals from the fashion and design industry, experiential pedagogies and internships. Our strong emphasis on delivering employable skills education has ensured that our graduates are industry ready and equipped with the skills to hit the ground running”
— Balkishan Sharma, director, Nest Academy of Fashion, Design & Innovation, Mumbai (NAFDI, estb.2018, 400 students and 20 teachers).
Best Skills Development Education
Higher education institutions providing new-age career-oriented skill development education programmes.
“It’s great to learn that RNTU is ranked #1 countrywide for Skill Development Education. This recognition is big motivation not just for RNTU but for all AISECT Group of universities to continuously improve and excel. I attribute RNTU’s top ranking to our high-quality faculty, contemporary curriculums and pedagogies which ensure delivery of well-rounded, high-quality industry-relevant skills. In fact, all AISECT Group of universities have incorporated skills education within all study programmes irrespective of specialisation.”
— Rajat Chaturvedi, business head, AISECT Group, Bhopal
Outstanding Library Resources
This award celebrates higher ed institutions which host modern libraries providing students and teachers access to a host of print and digital learning resources, archives and referral services.
“Words can’t express my gratitude to the EducationWorld grand jury for bestowing this award upon us. In our college, we have taken former President Dr. Radhakrishnan’s observation that “the library is the heart of an institution” very seriously. No resources and efforts have been spared to make our college library the best in West Bengal. The Central Library hosts 65,000 print and 100,000 electronic books and journals, serving the education needs of 6,000 students and 150 teachers. It also offers air-conditioned and wi-fi equipped reading rooms to enable optimum utilisation. Moreover, we have integrated Koha, a library management system, which incorporates RFID technology to automate library administration”
— Dr. Monojit Ray (left), Principal, Barrackpore Rastraguru Surendranath College, Kolkata
Best International Academic Collaboration
HEIs which forge partnerships and collaborations with reputed academic institutions around the world to expand student experiences, promote free exchange of ideas, faculty and student growth, breakthroughs in knowledge and research, and build enduring bonds between institutions and nations.
“We are thrilled with our high ranking for Best International Academic Collaboration. One of our prized collaboration is a niche Masters degree in Global Luxury Goods & Services Management in partnership with the Polimi Graduate School of Management, Milan. I am grateful to our teaching, non-teaching staff, and management who have worked collaboratively and proactively with all our partners to provide contemporary future-ready education to our students who have readily embraced latest digital technologies and best industry practices. Our international partner also shares the happiness and sense of pride in knowing that we have helped shape the future of so many young aspirants by giving them dual city exposure of diverse cultures and markets — India and Milan”
— Smita Jain, Director, SP Jain School of Global Management, Mumbai (estb.2016) which has an enrolment of 114 students and 30 teachers
Extraordinary Leadership
These awards acknowledge extraordinary education leaders from among low-profile and newly emergent private higher education institutions.
“It’s a proud moment for us at Ramanand Arya DAV College to be ranked India #1 for Extraordinary Leadership. We thank the EducationWorld eminent grand jury for this prestigious award. Over the past half century, we have developed excellent governance and administrative systems with high levels of transparency and accountability, and a teachers’ community who deliver innovative curriculums using latest teaching-learning pedagogies to ensure excellent learning outcomes. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to maintain an environment of high academic excellence and leadership”
— Dr. Ajay Bhamare (centre), Principal, Ramanand Arya DAV College, Mumbai (estb.1969) with an enrolment of 3,500 students and 100 teachers
Professional Education
Institutions providing globally benchmarked professional study programmes such as events management, fashion design and mass communication, among others.
“We thank EducationWorld’s eminent jury for this recognition. When we started on this journey three years ago, we never imagined it would lead to this moment. I attribute our #1 rank for professional education to our students and teachers whose hard work and dedication has enabled GAPA to deliver high-quality accountancy qualifications. Our BBA (Hons.) degree in professional accountancy & financial management and diplomas in accountancy are thoroughly aligned with industry needs. Therefore our feedback is that GAPA graduates are fully prepared to hit the ground running”
— Suchi Kothari, Director of Global Academy for Professional Accountants, Mumbai (estb.2020)
Best Digital Technologies Usage
Higher education institutions integrating innovative digital technologies within curriculums and implementing IT-enabled pedagogies to enable delivery of engaging and
effective education.
“World University of Design (WUD) faculty, staff, and students are elated with this recognition. We have invested heavily in robust digital infrastructure including high-speed Internet connectivity, advanced computer labs, and multimedia facilities to enable our students and faculty to access the best digital resources. Our #4 rank for Best Digital Technologies Usage acknowledges our innovative approach to integrate advanced digital technologies into our curriculum, lecture delivery and campus infrastructure. We pride ourselves for actively collaborating with industry partners to stay abreast with the latest digital trends and technologies. These collaborations enable students to engage in real-world projects, internships, and land fulfilling industry placements”
— Dr. (Prof.) Sanjay Gupta, Founder-Vice Chancellor, World University of Design, Sonipat (estb.2018) which has an enrolment of 921 students and 99 teachers
Campus Design Excellence
Attractive and conducive campuses providing state-of-the-art enabling infrastructure which enables students to learn joyfully and give their best, are awarded in this category.
“We are proud and delighted to be ranked India #1 institute for Campus Design Excellence. Spread across a 50-acre verdant campus, Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University offers contemporary academic buildings with green verges to provide traditional gurukulam style teaching. This recognition will motivate our team to continuously improve and maintain our campus. I acknowledge the constructive efforts of all staff and students in the best interest of higher education”
— Prof. Madhusudan Peenna, Vice Chancellor, Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek (estb.1997)
Exemplary Research Institutions
This award recognises higher education research institutions for their innovative R&D which has far-reaching impact and has caught, or has the potential to catch, the imagination of the public and/or industry.
“We are grateful to the EducationWorld jury for this award. It confirms Shoolini’s position as India’s top private research university and acknowledges the hard work of our faculty and our commitment to innovation and world-class research. Seven of our faculty-researchers are ranked in Stanford University’s global list of Top 2 percent scientists. Moreover, Shoolini, ranked in the 351-400 band in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, has filed the highest number of patents in the country and has deep partnerships with a global network of research partners”
— Prof. Atul Khosla (centre right), Vice Chancellor, Shoolini University (estb.2009), Bajhol (4,200 students and 240 faculty)
Extraordinary Contribution to Local Community
Awarded to institutions which have meaningfully engaged with communities, at the local or national level, to effect positive socio-economic change with lasting impact.
Enabling Start-up Culture
Institutions which provide an entrepreneurial ecosystem and start-up culture that highly values student ideation, problem solving, risk taking, and innovation and supports on-campus incubation of student businesses.
