Pune varsity ranked 100th among top world universities

NEW DELHI: In a recent global evaluation of Asian universities, only seven Indian universities have made it to the top 100 --- five of which are the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The Delhi University (DU) ranks 60 and is the first traditional Indian university on the list, while Pune University is ranked at 100.
Universities from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and China dominate the rankings, even Taiwan has fared better than India. Within the country, IIT Bombay ranks highest, tying in at 30 with MAHIDOL University in Thailand. The other IITs are ranked --- Kanpur (34), Delhi (36), Chennai (49) and Roorkee (63). The QS Asian Universities Rankings 2009 was released this week.
Ben Sowter, head of research at QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd --- the agency that carried out the rankings --- said, "In the Indian context, focused institutions such as the IITs seem better equipped to build global recognition than large public universities." This is the first regional ranking from QS, well-known as the team that compiles the Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings.
Responding to the ranking results, Deepak Pental, vice-chancellor, DU, said, "It is sad that DU has been ranked this low within Asia and even the IITs should have ranked higher. The problem is that although their (IITs) research in basic sciences is good, quality technology research is still lacking. As far as DU is concerned, we are trying to move to a semester system --- which is the norm in the West --- among other changes. Now, we will also look into improving our research and coursework."

Earlier on in 2008 another UK based institution has regarded Pune University as 'the 478  university in the world.'