My View on University Ranking
My View on University Ranking
Nobody could have failed to notice the fact that university ranking has gained increasing popularity --- institutions home and abroad are always interested in it; newspapers and magazines are fond of carrying the news. Unfortunately, it has also given rise to some problems never thought of. Confronted with the dilemma, should we carry on the practice? When it comes to this question, people’s views vary from one to another. People who support ranking have their reasons. They are convinced that it can stimulate people, teachers and students alike, to work harder so that they can climb on the ladder or at least maintain their position. In this way, universities can produce more talents and knowledge demanded by our society. Also, supporters of university ranking maintain that it can act as a guide for employers when they decide where to find right employees.. But others may not agree. These people would argue that university ranking might force universities to care more about their position in the ranking but not about research that they are expected to do. For instance, it is often reported that some professors spend more time in bribing than in labs in order to have an edge in the fierce competition. Another good case in point is that some scholars even sacrifice their integrity to plagiarize under the pressure of “publish or perish”. Who is right? Of course both sides have their reasons. As far as I am concerned, we might as well stop the practice for the good of universities and society. Universities are a place for free academic study. Only when scholars are free to in their pursuits, can they make contribution to
Nobody could have failed to notice the fact that university ranking has gained increasing popularity --- institutions home and abroad are always interested in it; newspapers and magazines are fond of carrying the news. Unfortunately, it has also given rise to some problems never thought of. Confronted with the dilemma, should we carry on the practice? When it comes to this question, people’s views vary from one to another. People who support ranking have their reasons. They are convinced that it can stimulate people, teachers and students alike, to work harder so that they can climb on the ladder or at least maintain their position. In this way, universities can produce more talents and knowledge demanded by our society. Also, supporters of university ranking maintain that it can act as a guide for employers when they decide where to find right employees.. But others may not agree. These people would argue that university ranking might force universities to care more about their position in the ranking but not about research that they are expected to do. For instance, it is often reported that some professors spend more time in bribing than in labs in order to have an edge in the fierce competition. Another good case in point is that some scholars even sacrifice their integrity to plagiarize under the pressure of “publish or perish”. Who is right? Of course both sides have their reasons. As far as I am concerned, we might as well stop the practice for the good of universities and society. Universities are a place for free academic study. Only when scholars are free to in their pursuits, can they make contribution to