Why University Rankings in Bali is Important?

Series 1: University Rankings

Oleh ; CEO Red Sea Associates (RSA) Prof Vithyacharan Retnasamy

We choose the best and the most appropriate for our daily life"s activity, either services or product. We define and procure to the best quality within allowable budget. The industry ranks and brands their product within their own sphere of rankings. Thus rankings and brandings (r&b) has been dictating the life"s of majority of us from food, clothing, vehicles, accommodation etc.

The education system too, is not spared from the bane of r&b, from kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, upper secondary school, pre-u, foundation, A-level, degree, post graduate studies till post doctorates are driven and chosen by using r&b as a gauge, either wholesome or partial. The education system in the older days were driven by the thirst for knowledge, but now its driven by the qualification to be branded after our name.

In this context, the stakeholders both parents and children refer and use the ranking outcomes to choose the area of study and the university. The end users of these graduates, whom i refer to as the service and manufacturing industries are also indulging into this rankings as a guide for their hiring"s in customized fields.

To those academicians whom are still debating on the ranking necessity, the outcome is, Rankings Are Here To Stay, we like it or not, it has become an integral part of the higher learning institution fraternity. The rankings will bring in more students with international flavour, this creates more income opportunity (for respective universities) and same time as tourism ambassadors for the designated area.

Rankings together with branding drives the education business, Bali as a tourism beacon in the world should capitalize this advantage. How many government and private higher learning institutions in Bali are in the international/national rankings, mainly QS, THE and KEMENRISEKTDIKTI?

To the best of the writer"s knowledge only Udayana University from Bali is ranked in QS"s Asia ranking at # 451-500 and also in KEMENRISKETDIKTI"s National ranking as cluster 2 at #28. Bali has many more other higher learning institutions, they should capitalize, participate and spur the growth of both education and economy of Bali. The ranking badge gives the globe-trotting passport in student recruitment and adds international garnishing on the university name!