Asia rankings: PU position rises to 269, some pvt varsities fare better
After retaining the same ranking bracket for the past four years, Panjab University’s (PU) aggressive approach to find better places in various rankings got a major push as the institution got Rank 269 in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) 2025 Asia University Rankings. The private university of the region also performed fairly well in the rankings released today.
Since 2021, the PU had been ranked in the 301-350 bracket. Now ranked 269, it shares the same spot with NJSC KIMEP University, Kazakhstan. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, the university was ranked #1001-1200 earlier this year.
As per the ranking criteria, the university bagged a score of 31.3 in the overall category, followed by 1.9 in inbound exchange, 76.8 in staff with PhD, 15.6 in faculty-student ratio, 28.7 in academic reputation, 35.1 in citations per paper, 43.1 in papers per faculty, 44.4 in international research network, 6.9 in international students, 1.1 in outbound exchange and 30.7 in employer reputation.
“We are happy that our rankings have improved. It has been possible due to efforts made by all stakeholders,” said Prof Renu Vig, PU Vice-Chancellor.
Last year, the university was awarded a score of 14.8 in academic reputation, followed by 12.1 in employer reputation, 8.8 in faculty-student ratio, 29.1 in papers per faculty, 24 in citations per paper, 5 in international students, 31.7 in faculty staff with PhD, 25.5 in international research network, 1.4 in inbound exchange and 1.1 in outbound exchange.
The university has taken various steps to compete with the private universities, which have taken a big leap in a majority of rankings. Besides improving their staff shortage, the university has focused on involving their research scholars and improving their research network.
Compared to last year’s assessment, the university took a big leap in the “staff with PhD” parameter with a score of 76.8, a twofold jump, followed by the same improvement recorded in the international research network, faculty-student ratio, academic reputation etc.
The private universities have taken a big leap in the rankings. Chandigarh University, Gharuan, emerged one of the top universities in Asia by rising 29 places to achieve 120th rank. The university has been ranked 1st among all Indian private universities and secured 11th position among the public and private universities. Chandigarh University Chancellor and Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “It is a proud moment that Chandigarh University has been recognised as one of the top universities in Asia and improved 29 places to achieve 120th place among higher educational institutions in the largest continent of the world.” Chitkara University jumped to rank 399 against 501-550 bracket last time. It majorly performed well in the international research work with 41.6 score, followed by 36.8 in employer reputation and 22.6 in academic reputation. “It’s a great leap for a university, which made its debut in the rankings in 2021. We are putting a major focus on our research and the results are very satisfying. These rankings have motivated us to perform better next year,” said Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor of the university. Shoolini University, Solan, also improved from 213rd rank to 168th — the fourth ranked private university in the country. It has topped in the citations per paper category. Patiala-based Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology has recorded a slight improvement with 261st position. IIT, Ropar, failed to make it to the rankings this year.
