China rising, India falling: IITs are an illustrative example of the dumbing down of Indian universities

Last September, Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar, gave me an honorary Doctor of Science degree. When the honour was conferred President Pranab Mukherjee, in his capacity as visitor to the institute, lamented that no Indian university is now ranked among the top 200 in the world even though historically the country had excellent educational universities like Takshashila and Nalanda.

President Mukherjee’s contention raises two serious issues. First, how relevant are university ranking processes and do these give a fair indication of the quality and appropriateness of education in a rapidly changing world? Second, should Indian universities be concerned that not even one is in the top 200?

There are now three ranking systems. The oldest one is Academic Ranking of World Universities, popularly known as Shanghai rankings because it was started by Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2003. It is updated biannually.

The Times Higher Education (THE) World Education Ranking started in 2004 in collaboration with Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). In 2010 QS went its own way with its own ranking methodology whose citation data base is provided by Thomson Reuters. The three ranking systems provide different results because criteria used as well as their relative weights differ. Many of the criteria are subjective and dependent on views of stakeholders sampled. With different stakeholders, the results could be very different.

To be ranked, universities have to continually fill up numerous surveys from the three ranking organisations. How reliable is self-reporting when results have high stakes as there are considerable economic and reputational consequences?

University rankings have become an important tool to attract high-quality staff, good students and serious funding. For administrators, politicians, government officials, funding agencies and media, rankings are important. Thus, temptation to manipulate data is quite significant. Providing regular global rankings data have become a fiercely competitive, lucrative and booming market. The way rankings are done at present, the roles of poachers and gamekeepers have become blurred.

No matter how the three ranking systems are assessed, they do not consider how good or relevant teaching quality is. Sadly, there is no indication that the system is likely to change in the near future because universities that rank within the first 200 simply refuse to provide such information. Not surprisingly, they would like to maintain the status quo since it serves their agenda well.

From my perspective, even though not a single Indian university is within the Global 200, i am not overtly worried about this fact so long as they can provide quality education to prepare the students for a rapidly changing world. Sadly, this is not happening.

The country made a good beginning as early as September 1944 when it was announced that an ‘Indian MIT’ would be set up. Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, was conceived in the image of MIT and started functioning in 1951. When i joined this institution as a student, in 1954, it truly had an all-India character, with the best faculty and students available. When the second IIT was established in Kanpur a large number of faculty left Kharagpur, including M S Muthana who became director of IIT Kanpur. Over the years, as the number of IITs proliferated, these have become provincial institutions.

Until recently, admissions to IITs were strictly on the basis of quality. IITs became a respected global brand because they selected students who were the best in India. With the proliferation of IITs and quota system for admission, the overall quality of future IIT graduates is bound to decline.

Sadly, for political expediency, India does not have a single MIT as in the United States, but at least 21 IITs in the foreseeable future. Not surprisingly, in 2014, early results showed that during the first phase only 9,061 of 9,711 seats were filled. There is still high demand for the first five IITs (Kharagpur, Kanpur, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai) but not for the newer ones.

This is also reflected in quality and retention of staff. Overall, in IITs nearly 30% of faculty positions cannot be filled because of lack of quality staff. Indian politicians, for the sake of short-term gains, have killed the goose that laid golden eggs!

Compare this with Chinese policy. In 1998, the Chinese government decided to support only nine of their 2,000 universities to become world class. The results have been truly spectacular. China is now supporting a few universities at a much higher level so that these become globally some of the best. This does not mean research and teaching facilities are not supported at other universities but only that the elite universities are supported at a much higher level. Other countries like Germany have followed similarly successful policies. Current Indian policies are unlikely to produce world-class universities.

Irrespective of whether any Indian university is ranked within the first 200 of the world, the quality of education has to be improved significantly so that graduates receive the skills they need for employment. If India wants to have elite global universities it has to select a few that have the necessary potential and comparative advantage, then support them consistently over the long term with higher funding and less bureaucratic intervention.

Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai open to selling mobile, TV businesses: Sources

LAS VEGAS: Sony Corp CEO Kazuo Hirai has weathered a crisis over a cyberattack on its Hollywood studio and its controversial comedy "The Interview", but his toughest moment may be just arriving as he prepares a new business revival plan.

After failing to turn around the storied creator of the Walkman since taking the helm in April 2012, Hirai and his deputies are now open to options including sales and joint ventures for its money-losing TV and mobile phone operations, company officials familiar with the leadership's thinking say.

Sony, which has cut its earnings forecasts six times on Hirai's watch, forecasts a 230 billion yen ($1.9 billion) net loss for the business year to March, and will suspend dividend payments for the first time, after deep smartphone losses.

Sony management recognises that "no business is forever", one source told Reuters. Although no deals are on the table, "every segment now needs to understand that Sony can exit businesses", he added.

Last year Sony sold its Vaio personal computer business and spun off its TV operations, cutting 5,000 jobs in addition to the 10,000 slashed earlier after Hirai took over.

But even as many analysts say further drastic action is needed, such as a full-fledged exit from TVs, Hirai used last week's high-profile Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to push an array of new gadgets, including a super-slim TVs and a $1,100 Walkman digital-music player.

He stressed the success of Sony's imaging sensors for cameras and its PlayStation 4, saying the company has sold 18.5 million of the game consoles, putting it ahead of Microsoft Corp's Xbox One and Nintendo Co's WiiU.

Sony has refused proposals for aggressive action before, such as a 2013 demand from influential hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb to spin off part of its profitable entertainment business to fund an overhaul of the struggling electronics operations.

'Drastic reforms'
As he prepares the latest revival plan ahead of the new business year, Hirai, 54, must decide what to do with the financially weak operations that have already been subject to heavy cost cuts.

He told a small group of reporters at the Las Vegas show that his reforms have succeeded "in some parts but not in others".

"Electronics in general, along with entertainment and finance, will continue to be an important business," he said. "But within that there are some operations that will need to be run with caution - and that might be TV or mobile, for example."

Yet cost cuts and a focus on high-end phones, a strategy led by Hiroki Totoki, the new chief of Sony's mobile division, aren't enough, said Citigroup analyst Kota Ezawa.

"The mobile and TV businesses both require a drastic overhaul," he said. "Without drastic reforms such as joint ventures or alliances, they will both be in the red three years from now."

Exiting the TV business would mean heavy restructuring costs and lost sales. Potential buyers might not want all the division's assets, let alone at a high premium.

But Japanese rival Panasonic Corp has succeeding in shifting focus from TVs and DVD players to growth areas such as advanced driver-assistance systems and high-margin home appliances under CEO Kazuhiro Tsuga, who took office around the same time as Hirai.

"Anyone can make TVs these days," Tsuga said after browsing rival booths at CES. "But you see this in smartphones too, not just TV."

Indeed, Sony expects a 180 billion yen impairment charge for its mobile phone business after struggling to compete with cut-price Asian rivals and failing to close the gap with Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co in high-end smartphones.

The same predicament forced Nokia to sell its mobile phone business to Microsoft and Sony's former JV partner Ericsson to sell its stake in 2012.

India will catch up with China's growth rate in 2016-17: World Bank

WASHINGTON: Buoyed by the economic reform measures taken by the Indian government after coming to power in May last year, the World Bank has said that India would catch up with China's growth in the year 2016-17. 

"According to our analysis, India will catch up with China's growth in the year 2016 and 2017," World Bank chief economist and Senior vice-president Kaushik Basu told reporters. 

He was speaking yesterday at a conference call as the bank released the latest issue 'Global Outlook: Disappointments, Divergences, and Expectations Global Economic Prospects,' report. 

"China's growth will remain high, but will begin to taper very gently, reaching 6.9 per cent in 2017," Basu said. 

The World Bank in its report also forecast a growth rate of seven per cent each in the fiscal year 2016 and 2017 as against China's 7 per cent and 6. 9 per cent respectively. 

This would be for the first time in recent past that India's growth rate would catch up with that of the Asian giant China. 

The World Bank estimated a growth rate of 5.6 per cent in 2014 and has forecast a growth rate of 6.4 percent in 2015, while that of China as 7.4 (estimated) in 2014 and 7.1 per cent (forecast) in 2015. 

In its report the Bank said growth in South Asia rose to an estimated 5.5 per cent in 2014 from a 10-year low of 4.9 percent in 2013. 

"The upturn was driven by India, the region's largest economy, which emerged from two years of modest growth," it said. 

Regional growth is projected to rise to 6.8 per cent by 2017, as reforms ease supply constraints in India, political tensions subside in Pakistan, remittances remain robust in Bangladesh and Nepal, and demand for the region's exports firms, it said. 

"Past adjustments have reduced vulnerability to financial market volatility. Risks are mainly domestic and of a political nature. Sustaining the pace of reform and maintaining political stability are key to maintaining the recent growth momentum," the report said.

Relatives of passengers of the missing AirAsia flight QZ 8501 react upon seeing the news on television about the findings of bodies on the waters near the site where the jetliner disappeared, at the crisis centre at Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, on Tuesday.

Relatives in tears as bodies shown on TV; "My heart is filled with sadness," airline boss says; search operation to go on all night

More than forty bodies have been recovered at sea from the AirAsia jet that went missing on Sunday, Manahan Simorangkir Kadispenal, a spokesman for Indonesia's navy, said.

Search and rescue teams were lowered on ropes from a hovering helicopter to retrieve the corpses, their efforts hindered by 2-metre-high waves and strong winds, National Search and Rescue Director S.B. Supriyadi told The Associated Press.

The discovery came after several pieces of red, white and black debris were spotted in the Java Sea near Borneo island. AirAsia planes are red and white.

Mr. Supriyadi said that from an aircraft above, he said he saw what appeared to be a life jacket and an emergency exit door. More wreckage could be seen beneath the water.

Indonesian television showed a body of a man whose shirt partially covered his head. The images sent a spasm of pain through family members watching together in a waiting room at the Surabaya airport.

Many screamed and wailed uncontrollably, breaking down into tears while they squeezed each other. One middle-aged man collapsed and had to be out on a stretcher.

AirAsia group CEO Tony Fernandes tweeted, “My heart is filled with sadness for all the families involved in QZ 8501. On behalf of AirAsia my condolences to all. Words cannot express how sorry I am.”

Ifan Joko, 54, said he was still hoping for a miracle. His brother, Charlie Gunawan, along with his wife, their three children and two other family members, were traveling to Singapore on the plane to ring in the New Year.

“I know the plane has crashed, but I cannot believe my brother and his family are dead,” he said, wiping a tear. “... We still pray they are alive.”

It was a very emotional moment: Kavita Krishnamurthy

New York: For Bollywood singer Kavita Krishnamurthy, performing at the famous Madison Square Garden amid loud cheers for Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the most emotional moment in her life.

"Modi is an iconic leader in whom I believe a lot. Today I am very proud to be an Indian. It was a very emotional moment for me," the noted singer, who performed with her violin maestro husband L Subramaniam and son, told PTI.

Krishnamurthy performed the 'Vaishnava Jan To', which is one of the most popular Hindu bhajans written in Gujarati language in the 15th century by poet Narsinh Mehta.

The bhajan was among Mahatma Gandhi's daily prayers.

Krishnamurty also performed the famous "I love my India" song evoking patriotic fervour among the 20,000-odd India-Americans present at the packed Madison Square Garden where Modi delivered an over an-hour-long speech.

Narendra Modi says India will lead 21st century world, assures lifetime Indian visa for PIO cardholders

New York: Addressing a rapturous crowd of NRIs here, Prime Minister Narendra Modiaffirmed on Sunday that India will move ahead at a rapid pace and lead the 21st century world.

At a unique event at the Madison Square Garden in the heart of Manhattan at which some 20,000 cheering NRIs were present, Modi said that his big win in the Lok Sabha elections had come with a big responsibility for him which he would fulfil.

Listing out India's advantages, the Prime Minister said that its three strengths were democracy, demographic dividend in which 65 per cent of its population was under 35 years, and the demand for India because it was a huge market.

Clearly with an eye on the younger generation, Modi said, "We will not do anything which will let you down."

"My government will be 100 per cent successful in fulfilling the aspirations of the people," he said, as the crowd repeatedly chanted 'Modi-Modi'.

Attired in a saffron Nehru jacket and yellow kurta, the prime minister held the packed indoor stadium spellbound, asserting that "Our attempt is to make development a peoples' movement."

In his over hour-long speech in Hindi which he began with 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' while extending greetings for Navratri festival, Modi promised good governance saying after a gap of 30 years India has got a government at the Centre with a clear majority.

He also had a jibe at poll predictions in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections. "No political pundit or opinion makers could fathom such a verdict," he said.

Winning elections brought with it a big responsibility, he said. "Ever since I took up this task (as Prime Minister), I have not taken even a 15-minute vacation," he said.

The Prime Minister said there was no need for any disillusionment. "India is going to march ahead at a very fast pace."

"The 21st Century will be that of India. By 2020, only India will be in a position to provide work force to the world," he said, while citing examples of growing global demand for nurses and teacher."

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Modi at Madison Square: Thousands throng venue, air filled with excitement

He also said Americans nationals wanting to visit India for tourism purposes will get long-term visa.

"My effort is to make development a mass movement. I am confident is that we will succeed. There is cause for disappointment. This country is going to make rapid progress.

"There are many expectations from the new government. This government will be 100 percent successful in fulfilling the aspirations of people," he said amid loud cheers by the around 20,000 people.

"My dream is to see every Indian family has a home by 2022," he said. 

Mangalyaan Close to Finishing Line - and a Date with History

Mangalyaan is set to enter the Mars orbit on September 24.

BANGALORE:  India's maiden mission to Mars, Mangalyaan, has performed to perfection and now is racing for its historic rendezvous with the Red Planet. And tomorrow by 7 am, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be among the audience in Bangalore to cheer Mangalyaan on towards its destination. 

Mangalyaan has had a dream run so far. But pushing it into the Mars orbit could be a tricky operation. The ISRO mission control will have to slow down the satellite and hope it gets drawn into the orbit by the gravity of Mars. 

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To slow it down, the satellites on board the rocket motor are fired for several minutes. The gravity of Mars then captures Mangalyaan. In case the satellite cannot be captured by Mars, it will be lost in outer space. (Read: Want a Selfie With Mangalyaan? Try This New Mobile App)

But Indian Space Research Organisation, or ISRO, is high on hopes of success, which has marked the progress of the project so far. (Read: India's Mars Orbiter, Mangalyaan Clears Crucial Test)

"We have to be relaxed if we have to take tough decisions and manage critical operations," said K Radhakrishnan, Chairman, ISRO, Banglaore.  

Fast tracked by ISRO, Mangalyaan was made in just 15 months at a cost of Rs. 450 crore - the cheapest inter-planetary mission ever to be undertaken. (Read: Mangalyaan, the Cheapest Mars Mission Ever)

Hailing it on its launch on November 5, 2013, atop India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PM Modi had said, "The Hollywood movie Gravity cost more than our Mars mission - this is a great achievement".

The rocket that carried India's first unmanned satellite to Mars was as high as a 15-storey building and weighed nearly 320 tonnes - almost as much as 50 full-grown elephants.

The Mars Orbiter first made several revolutions around the Earth as it gathered enough velocity, and then it was shot onwards to Mars on its long journey. One after the other, four stages of the rocket had ignited, taking Mangalyaan higher into space.

Once in the Mars orbit, Mangalyaan will look for signs of life on the Red Planet, asking that big question: Are we alone in this universe
?