IITs to recruit foreign professors for global ranks

Hyderabad: IITs are doing whatever they should to find a regular place in global rankings, according to the new director of IIT-Delhi Dr V. Ramgopal Rao.

Global ranking agencies take into consideration foreign faculty and students in that particular institution as well as citations received, he stressed. "This is where IITs are losing points. Other-wise, the education and curriculum, especially in undergraduate courses like engineering is regarded as one of the best in the world," he told this newspaper.

However, with MHRD focussing on this issue, IITs could make inroads in global rankings sector in the near future. Dr Ramgopal Rao said that IITs have been given go-ahead to recruit foreign professors from reputed varsities in US and Western countries.

"There is a good chance of hiring foreign staff in Delhi and Bombay institutes this year. For this we are planning to hold publicity campaigns and interactions as well as take the help of IIT alumni working in universities abroad," he stressed. Dr Ramgopal Rao, from Kollapur in Mahbubna-gar district, assumed charge on April 13.