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…
