scholarly journals Universities Under Pressure: the Impact of International University Rankings

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
Javier Vidal ◽  
Camino Ferreira

This paper synthesizes the characteristics of university rankings that cause pressure or ‘harassment’ on universities and analyses possible strategies for action that can be carried out in the real context of the three main university rankings (QS, THE, ARWU), suggesting the consequences for the so-called world-class universities and others (which represent 95% of the total). Although there is controversy over the criteria of the university ranking systems, many universities are establishing strategies aimed at adapting to these criteria and indicators and improving their positions. This study concludes that international university rankings should not be a relevant source of information to consider the quality of universities because this can have a negative impact on the development of medium- and long-term policies in higher education and the universities themselves. Universities should concentrate on their mission and must provide valid and reliable information to all stakeholders about the level of achievement of their goals.

Author(s):  
Rui Zhao ◽  
Wan-Bing Shi

The graduate attributes of the University of Sydney innovatively include the enabling conceptions and the translation conceptions of attributes and ensure that they are specifically oriented, reasonably structured and comprehensively designed. These scientifically constructed graduate attributes of the University of Sydney prove strong efficiency by the university taking up a high position in QS Graduate Employability Rankings in recent years. Chinese top-level universities, in the process of building world-class universities, also face the task of revising the graduate attributes and substantially enhancing the quality of talents cultivation, and can, therefore, learn the successful experience to revise their own graduate attributes on the basis of universities’ history, vision and specialty, on the premise of a sound cognition of the connotation, levels, and relationship of graduate attributes, and by means of System Theory, Phenomenography and comparative study.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonny Állan Bezerra ◽  
Denilson Menezes Santos ◽  
Michele Maria Oliveira ◽  
Claudia Vanisse Costa ◽  
Elaynne de Oliveira ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Brazil has been going through a period of economic crisis since 2015 and the impact on health indicators and the quality of life of the most recent crisis is unclear. This study sought to establish a relationship between the impact of the economic crisis experienced by Brazil during the period 2013-2016 and the lifestyle of adult populations in the 27 capitals of the Brazilian state.Results: According to the binary logistic regression model, at least completing secondary education increases the probability of individuals presenting higher LS by 4.9% (OR=1,049, 95% CI 1,029–1,070); being involved in some type of relationship decreases the probability of presenting a higher LS by 5.3% (OR=0.947, 95% CI 0.029-0.965); having an adequate body mass index increases LS by 27.3% (OR=1.273, 95% CI 1,245.10.10). Living in a city with a lower unemployment rate increases the probability of having a higher LS score by 3.8%(OR=1,038, 95% CI 1,012-1.064); living in a city with a more basic food basket decreases the probability of having a higher LS score by 5.4% (OR=0.946, 95% CI 0.910-0.982). Presenting higher yields decreases the probability of having a higher LS by 12% (OR=0.880, 95% CI 0.860-0.900). In addition, there was an increase in the percentage of leisure-time PA in 2015 (20.9%), followed by a decrease to 18.1% in 2016, after a stabilization period in 2013 (19.5%) and 2014 (19.6%). The physical exercise showed a steady annual increase, with a score of 49.6% in 2013, followed by 50.9% and 51.9% in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and ending with 54.5% in 2016. The "Watch TV 5x per week" indicator recorded a sharp drop between 2013 (27.9%) and 2015 (22.7%), as well as the consumption of soft drinks, which went from stable values in 2013 (19.5%) and 2014 (19%) 17.3% in 2015.Conclusion: In the case of Brazil, the economic crisis initially started in 2015 had a negative impact on the population over time, but these effects were only observed in the second year of crisis, being preceded by a temporary improvement of indicators.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anatoly Zeyliger ◽  
Olga Ermolaeva

<p>Until recently, new technologies introduced into irrigated agriculture were mainly aimed at developing one or several related control actions. However, the needs of society to increase the volume and improve the quality of agricultural products have led to significant qualitative changes in irrigated agriculture. The various robotic systems used for this have proven their effectiveness in the mechanization and automation of the irrigation process, as well as in the application of chemical fertilizers and chemical protection of agricultural crops from diseases and pests. This resulted in higher yields while lowering production costs.Nowadays, biotechnologies currently being developed and being introduced into irrigated agriculture, as well as systems for controlling and monitoring environmental impacts, are aimed at solving problems related to further increasing the efficiency of the use of natural resources, while minimizing the risks of negative impact on components and services of the environment.This is largely due to the impact of the rapid development of IC and sensor technologies aimed at creating production management systems based on the cyber-physical systems (CPS) paradigm. For this, there are using a holistic vision of the structure and cybernetic methods of management, artificial intelligence technologies, as well as digital platforms for integrating information flows between sub-subsystems of management, control, monitoring and decision support.In this context, the main difference between developed agricultural CPSs from the existing industrial agricultural systems focused on current economic efficiency lies in the plane of making agricultural production sustainable in the long term based on a balance between economic efficiency and the quality of natural resources used and services of the environment. From this point of view, irrigated agriculture focuses on the efficient use of natural resources, which are water, soil and air, as well as renewable and non-renewable (fossil) energy. At the same time, weather are considered as the impact of the external environment providing an irreplaceable source of water, heat and energy resources but with stochastic characteristics that are difficult to formalize. In connection with this diversity, a CPSs are built taking into account a complex compromise that takes into account many aspects of the negative impact of intensive agricultural production technologies on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of these resources, not only in the place of their use, but also on the external environment beyond these limits. In this regard, water resources are one of the most important factors necessary, on the one hand, to impart long-term sustainability to irrigated agriculture, and on the one hand, as a factor that can lead in the near future to a significant decrease in fertility, as well as to a negative impact on the environmental services of the surrounding area. This contribution discusses some points of the development of an agricultural irrigation CPS’ subsystem aimed to monitor the soil moisture content at the root zone of the soil cover at the scale of irrigated agricultural crops and their relationship with industrial sprinkling technologies.Acknowledgments: The reported study was funded by RFBR, project number 19-29-05261 mk</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 75-87
Author(s):  
A. A. Popov ◽  
P. P. Glukhov

The article examines the problem of assessing the competitiveness of universities from the perspective of regional and urban development. The paper raises the question of taking into account the criteria aimed at examining the benefits of universities for the territory of presence in the modern methodology of assessing the effectiveness of universities. The article considers the advisability of integrating the results of international university rankings in the development of indices which assess the impact of universities on urban development. It includes a review of the methodologies of compiling international city rankings (Global Cities Index, Cities of opportunity, Mercer Quality of Living, The Global City Competitiveness Index, QS Best Student Cities) in order to identify the content and significance of the criteria aimed at assessment of the effectiveness of universities. The paper gives a critical assessment of international university rankings (Qs World University Rankings, Times Higher Education, Academic Ranking of World Universities). It also proposes criteria to evaluate universities from the perspective of the benefits they bring to the cities in which they are present. The article was prepared as part of the research work of the state task of the RANEPA under the President of the Russian Federation.


2014 ◽  
pp. 7-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Millot

In reaction to the focus of international university rankings on a tiny cluster of “world class universities”, attempts are being made to rank national higher education systems.  This paper compares the results of the U21 system ranking with those of major university rankings, reviews the reasons for their similarities. It argues that system rankings are critical and suggests how to enhance their usefulness


2021 ◽  
pp. 108705472110509
Author(s):  
Julie T. Behrmann ◽  
Julie Blaabjerg ◽  
Josefine Jordansen ◽  
Kristine M. Jensen de López

Background: According to the WHO, the COVID-19 pandemic could have a negative impact on the mental health of individuals, such as an exacerbation of existing difficulties. Individuals with ADHD may be specifically challenged by the pandemic. Aims: To provide a systematic review of evidence regarding the COVID-19’s impact on mental health of individuals with ADHD during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: This registered review (PROSPERO ID CRD42021238770) adhered to Prisma guidelines. Systematic searches in electronic databases PubMed and PsycINFO were carried out. A total of 12 studies covering 3,028 subjects were included. Results: COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increased ADHD symptoms and psychological difficulties. Some studies reported that individuals experienced positive outcomes. The methodological quality of the studies was low to moderate. Conclusion: COVID-19 can affect the mental health of individuals with ADHD negatively, although methodological limitations should be considered. Further research should generate knowledge about long-term effects impact of the pandemic and about appropriate support.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Liu ◽  
Zhimin Liu

<p>Due to certainty recognition in ranking systems, the commonly included top 100 universities are regarded as the Universally Acknowledged World-Class Universities (UAWCUs). From three university rankings-THEs, QS and ARWU from 2010 to 2015, the following conclusions can be drawn from this study: Firstly, 56 universities are commonly ranked in the top 100 by THEs, QS and ARWU in 2015, comparing with that of 47 in 2010; Secondly, comparison between 2010 and 2015 reveals that 44 of these higher ranked UAWCUs have kept on the group of top 100 universities in any ranking system. However, three lower ranked UAWCUs in 2010 have dropped out the group of top 100 universities in 2015, which are replaced by some progressed universities; Thirdly, both US and UK have nearly 3/4 and 2/3 of these UAWCUs in 2010 and 2015, respectively; Lastly, this paper denotes that consistently strives to build on its strong reputation for research excellence, consistently pursuing innovative research, delivering excellence in teaching through internationalization, obtaining support from the government would be the critical factors to promote UAWCUs to improve their performance and rankings.</p>


Author(s):  
Futao Huang

Since the start of the 21st century, the building of world-class universities has been viewed as an important and relevant means to enhance the quality of teaching and research, governance and management arrangements, and further internationalization of higher education in a growing number of countries. It is increasingly conceived as a top priority and the primary foundation for restructuring and reforming various higher education systems, especially in several East Asian countries and societies. Through implementing top-down national strategies featuring a concentration of resources in selected institutions, several East Asian countries, and especially China, have successfully established research-oriented universities and driven the rise of these universities in global university rankings. Despite numerous challenges, in the context of increased international competition in higher education worldwide, development initiatives that seek to form world-class universities are becoming more common, and this is particularly evident in the fierce competition between Asian countries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (118) ◽  
pp. 32-57
Author(s):  
Ameera Sh. Weli

The purpose of this research is to study the quality of scientific research at the University of Baghdad in light of scientific piracy and plagiarism of research and results and attribute it to others intentionally or unintentionally. Proactive writing such as stealing ideas or synthesizing the results of one another over others and its negative impact on the quality of scientific outputs and the reputation of educational organizations through an exploratory study in the faculties of the University of Baghdad, scientific and humanitarian. As for the aims of the study, it was determined by determining the negative impact of piracy on scientific research. A Likert five-point scale was used in this research. The research community consists of professors of scientific and human faculties affiliated to the University of Baghdad, as 230 questionnaires were distributed to survey their views on the risk of information theft and unlawful quotation on the quality of research. The scientific and measurement were done according to a number of measures related to the subject of research, and the preparation of appropriate hypotheses, the study reached important results that cause scientific piracy to weaken and decline levels of intellectual capital for the educational organization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Kurochkina

The matter of formation of depressive territories as well as their environmental impact and impact on the urban system environment is considered in this article. Such territories traditionally include agrarian and industrial, extracting (focal) and old industrial ones. The signs of "depressiveness" are the following: availability of the abandoned, destroyed or half-ruined structures, having different level of moral and physical deterioration, in the territory. It is noted in the article, that the long decrease in the indicators of quality of the environment is observed on depressive spaces, and that the term "depressive" is used in relation to the spaces in city planning and ecology more and more often. At the same time, as the author specifies in the article, when studying the matter of depressive spaces (especially from the ecological and town-planning positions) they very seldom mention one more version of such spaces, e.i. the subjects of construction in progress (long-term construction subjects). Negative impact of unfinished constructions on the quality of life in the cities has multidimensional character. Some of their aspects emerge at considerable distance from the abandoned buildings. That was the purpose of carried out research of some subjects of construction in progress and the territories adjoining to them. Besides, complex information analysis on the abandoned city buildings, existing in other countries was carried out. According to the received results, the classification of subjects of construction in progress was developed. The stages of their degradation and the impacts on living conditions of urban population, accompanying them, were identified. The need of complex hazard assessment of unfinished constructions as the uncontrollable degrading coupled human-environment systems is proved.


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