Maybe the problem is not what ranking we use, but the fact that we insist of mapping something that complex on one dimension. So qualitative assessments that do take other features into account than what traditionally is the case is very good, but to have another metric for angry professors and politicians to get angry about I can not really see what's the point.
But there is a massive plan (sorry, I can't remember the name of it!) to model all EU universities on the UK (Anglo) system. So massive changes coming for most.
So, even if these league tables are "fixed" in favour of the Anglo countries, I would still expect the EU universities to rise in these rankings.
The popularity of Anglo countries to overseas students (non-EU) comes perhaps mostly from the fact that English is spoken, than any reputation.
I certainly hope that 'massive plan' does not go through.
Universities from the Continent (which are as diverse as you can get) can learn much from their UK counterparts - and vice versa - but, again, diversity is the key.
We are now paying the cost of following the dogmas of (mainstream) Anglo-American economic thought, I hope we don't make the same mistake when it comes to higher education...
Yes I know what you mean - and in any case, students differ in the sort of university they feel comfortable in.
I've remembered the name for the changes to come: it's the "Bologna declaration" and the "Bologna processs". However, there is only one significant change for the UK/Irish universities to make, apart from that we're already there.
Seems like a good idea. We all know what the American status quo thinks a good university is - a research factory - now let's hear the voice of Europe.
The definition of the criteria will be key to the new ranking's credibility and relevance.: if it gets too 'pro-European' it will not be credible, if it gets too 'pro-American' it will not be relevant...
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China) is one of the top universities and does a very widely used world university ranking (possibly the most cited?). It isn't that different from the other western rankings.
Creating yet another EU ranking list isn't going to set the university world on fire.
Maybe the problem is not what ranking we use, but the fact that we insist of mapping something that complex on one dimension. So qualitative assessments that do take other features into account than what traditionally is the case is very good, but to have another metric for angry professors and politicians to get angry about I can not really see what's the point.
anderzzz 2 years ago
Doesn't the 'Times Higher' already do a complicated set of tables on ranking of universities around the world?
If the EU doesn't like the way they do it, maybe they could ask for changes. If the suggestions are good ones perhaps they'll do it.
No point in doing the same work twice.
9Fabian 2 years ago
Fabian, the whole reason behind this new ranking, I believe, is to break the Anglo world's perceived authority on higher education evaluation. ;-)
MarquisdeBarrabas 2 years ago
But there is a massive plan (sorry, I can't remember the name of it!) to model all EU universities on the UK (Anglo) system. So massive changes coming for most.
So, even if these league tables are "fixed" in favour of the Anglo countries, I would still expect the EU universities to rise in these rankings.
The popularity of Anglo countries to overseas students (non-EU) comes perhaps mostly from the fact that English is spoken, than any reputation.
9Fabian 2 years ago
I certainly hope that 'massive plan' does not go through.
Universities from the Continent (which are as diverse as you can get) can learn much from their UK counterparts - and vice versa - but, again, diversity is the key.
We are now paying the cost of following the dogmas of (mainstream) Anglo-American economic thought, I hope we don't make the same mistake when it comes to higher education...
MarquisdeBarrabas 2 years ago
Comment removed
9Fabian 2 years ago
Yes I know what you mean - and in any case, students differ in the sort of university they feel comfortable in.
I've remembered the name for the changes to come: it's the "Bologna declaration" and the "Bologna processs". However, there is only one significant change for the UK/Irish universities to make, apart from that we're already there.
9Fabian 2 years ago
So publish your papers in english and rise in the rankings, easy. However that's not the only reason why the anglo system is the leading one.
catalinaguerrero 2 years ago
Seems like a good idea. We all know what the American status quo thinks a good university is - a research factory - now let's hear the voice of Europe.
The definition of the criteria will be key to the new ranking's credibility and relevance.: if it gets too 'pro-European' it will not be credible, if it gets too 'pro-American' it will not be relevant...
MarquisdeBarrabas 2 years ago
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China) is one of the top universities and does a very widely used world university ranking (possibly the most cited?). It isn't that different from the other western rankings.
Creating yet another EU ranking list isn't going to set the university world on fire.
9Fabian 2 years ago
"Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China) is one of the top universities"
Again, but what/whose standards?
MarquisdeBarrabas 2 years ago
True, true.
9Fabian 2 years ago