Digital Education Excellence: India’s Top Universities Earn Gold and Silver in THE Rankings

Indian Universities Shine in Times Higher Education Online Learning Rankings 2024

Times Higher Education (THE) is a leading provider of news, analysis, and data for the global higher education sector and is renowned for its university rankings, including the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. These rankings assess universities based on teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook. Recently, it released its inaugural "Online Learning Rankings 2024," categorizing institutions into gold, silver, and bronze tiers. As the universities have varying goals and approaches to online learning, it challenging to assign precise ranks.

THE used 17 metrics across four pillars: resources (staff and resources for online learning), engagement (student survey responses), outcomes (student progression and recommendations), and environment (inclusion, diversity, and support). In the gold category, 11 universities were recognized, including three from the US, two from the UK, two from India, and one each from Russia, Hungary, New Zealand, and Australia. Fourteen universities earned silver, and 31 were placed in the bronze category.

From India, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies and OP Jindal Global University earned spots in the gold category. Additionally, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences secured a silver ranking, the only Indian university in that tier. Four Indian universities, Amity University (Noida), KL University, Lovely Professional University (LPU), and Manipal University (Jaipur) were in the bronze category. Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, and GLA University are listed in the 'reporter' category, as they submitted data but did not meet the entry criteria completely.

Notably, there is no global consensus on the definition of online learning. THE's pilot ranking evaluates only those university courses that are advertised as "online" with at least 40% of their content being delivered digitally. The University of Central Florida (US) received a gold score, and ranks first globally for resources, while Massey University (New Zealand) leads in engagement and environment. Ukraine’s Sumy State University, awarded silver, scores highest for outcomes. India’s O.P. Jindal Global University stands out for the best outcomes score, and Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies is the most consistent performer in the gold category, scoring above 60 out of 100 across all four pillars. The Times Higher Education Online Learning Rankings 2024 highlight the increasing significance of online learning in the digital era. With Indian universities making notable progress, the government’s goal of expanding access to digital education appears to be on track.

Editor's Note:

As the world adapts to digital education, it’s important to assess all the factors of digital education that contribute to providing quality and ensuring easy access for students. The Times Higher Education (THE) initiative to rank institutions based on 17 metrics for their online education is a significant step forward in the digital education space. These metrics focus on key areas such as the availability of necessary resources, student engagement in digital learning, student progress, and feedback, readiness for future employment, and how well institutions create an inclusive and supportive environment. 
This ranking highlights the institutions that are truly committed to delivering high-quality higher education through digital platforms, ensuring a better learning experience for students. The rankings provide valuable insights into how universities are meeting the growing demand for flexible, accessible learning in a rapidly changing world. 

Skoobuzz congratulates the achievers for proving that digital education can maintain the high standards of higher education while making learning accessible and affordable for all.