Today's obsession with rankings is not limited to the Indian higher education system. But I have hardly read a clearer, more empathetic and constructive critique of it than this essay by scientist Professor S. Swaminathan in The Hindu.
The central argument is twofold:
1. students are future citizens, not just customers or quantifiable material.
2. teaching and mentoring are at least as effective as research in educating young people, really: learners of all ages and backgrounds.
The difference is that research and academic work are often overvalued in educational management and funding policy.
Bottom line
“Metricocracy”, the belief that education is quantifiable, can be classified on the basis of quantifiable criteria, and therefore is just a product in a metric-focused system like others, kills creativity and enthusiasm for learning and teaching. It fails to prepare students for the real world and to shape our social future as human beings.
I fully agree that educators and universities need to rethink their value system and make a paradigm shift in their organizational culture.
We as educators, as societies and as educational organizations need to value and enable the success of both research and teaching as both together contribute to our overall mission of higher education and learning.
Also, here, in this paradigm shift, experienced and passionate educators should have their say and can contribute their wealth of wisdom.
Source: Professor Dr. S. Swaminathan, An obsession with ranking is harming India's universities, in: The Hindu 3.10.2024.
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