Mumbai University's Ranking System To Transform Departmental Performance & Research Impact

Mumbai University (MU) has launched the University Department Ranking Framework (UDRF), an innovative evaluation system for assessing and ranking academic departments, schools, institutions, centres, sub-campuses, and model colleges. This new structure is intended to foster academic excellence, research production, and governance quality throughout the university.

The top-ranked departments will get Research and Infrastructure Grants ranging from INR 5 lakh to INR 25 lakh, as well as citations and mementos. This move, endorsed by the University's Management Council on September 12, is a watershed moment in the Indian higher education system.

Mumbai University, known for its diverse academic offerings, has 15 departments in the Science faculty, 8 in Commerce, Skills, Online or Distance Education, and Management, 10 in Humanities and Social Sciences, 15 in Languages, 12 in Interdisciplinary Studies, and 20 specialised Centres of Study. Under the UDRF, all of these departments will be subjected to a quantitative evaluation procedure using known parameters such as those employed in the NIRF, QS/Times Rankings, and NAAC/NBA Accreditation.

Every department will be assessed according to its category, and the departments that rank highest in the Science category will receive a research grant worth INR 15 lakhs. INR 5 lakhs will be given to top-performing Centers of Studies, while another INR 10 lakhs will go to other category winners. Departments that rank second will also be acknowledged and awarded grants of INR 7 lakhs for Science, INR 5 lakhs for Humanities, Commerce, and Management, and INR 2 lakhs for Centers of Studies.

There will be an overall ranking of all 80 departments, schools, and centres released in addition to departmental rankings. An extra research grant of INR 10 lakhs will be given to the department that does the best overall, while INR 5 lakhs will be given to the department that comes in second. Under the 'Department with Potential for Research Excellence' category, departments exhibiting potential for research excellence will also be eligible for special financing.

Aside from bestowing honours for exceptional contributions to research and innovation, the institution will also recognize individual faculty members with the "Outstanding Research Publications Award" and the "Best Research Funding and Innovation Award."

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Missouri, Prof. Ravindra Kulkarni, discussed the unveiling of the University Department Ranking Framework and stated it is a big step toward encouraging academic excellence and creative research. Departments will be encouraged by this evaluation procedure to concentrate on their strong points, keep improving their skills, and adhere to international quality standards.

This framework is anticipated to improve the academic environment of the university by promoting a culture of continual improvement and healthy departmental competition.

Lower-ranked departments will be urged to raise their game and will get advice via the 'VC Initiative Mechanism' to help implement the required changes.