JGU ranked number one private university in India by QS World University Rankings 2021

Hyderabad:  O.P. Jindal Global University is ranked as India's Number 1 Private University by the QS World University Rankings 2021. At a time when the total number of Indian institutions have gone down in the QS World University Rankings 2021, JGU has vastly improved its position in these rankings that were released today by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). 
 
Within 11 years of establishment, JGU has been ranked in the top 651-700 universities in the world and has become India’s Number 1 Ranked Private University. JGU is also India’s Number 1 Ranked University with a focus solely on Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities as per the influential QS World University Rankings 2021.
 
With a jump of a possible 100 ranks to the 651-700 band this year from the 751-800 band last year, JGU is the only 'Institution of Eminence' (IOE) that has climbed up significantly in the QS World University Rankings 2021 compared to the rankings last year. In QS World University Rankings 2021, JGU is the highest performing IOE compared to previous year’s QS World University Rankings.
 
While 24 Indian universities made it to the top 1000 last year, this number has dropped to 21 universities this year. JGU is the highest-ranked Indian university solely dedicated to the study of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities. As an eleven year old, non-STEM and non-Medicine university, JGU has yet again broken stereotypes of what it takes to be a truly Global University by entering into the top 700 universities in the world, and becoming the youngest Indian university to feature in this year’s rankings.
 
This has become possible due to JGU’s international diversity among its faculty, a phenomenal increase in its reputation, and a steadfast commitment to maintaining a strong faculty-student ratio. As per the QS World University Rankings 2021, JGU was ranked amongst the top 300 universities in the world in faculty-student ratio, amongst the top 450 universities in the world in employer reputation, and amongst the top 500 universities in the world in international faculty.
 
Out of the 20 IOEs selected by the Government of India, only 13 found a place in the QS World University Rankings 2021. This includes 4 IITs, IISc, Delhi University, Anna University, University of Hyderabad, MAHE, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, BHU, Jadavpur University and O.P. Jindal Global University. This year, JGU is the youngest and the highest performing IOE compared to previous year’s Qs World University Rankings 2020.
 
The Founding Chancellor of JGU, Mr. Naveen Jindal, said that this global recognition of JGU for two consecutive years is indeed a defining moment. He said, "It is an incredibly proud moment for me to see JGU leading the charge in fostering academic excellence in India and the world. JGU was established in memory of my father to be a centre of excellence and produce outstanding leaders in various walks of life. I am immensely pleased to see that it is fulfilling its vision through sustained hard work. I wish to congratulate the Vice Chancellor, faculty, and staff of JGU for their continued commitment to providing a world-class education to our students."  He further said, “Climbing up in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and the prestigious recognition of JGU as an 'Institution of Eminence' gives hope for a more evolved higher education landscape in India in the coming years”.
 
Welcoming this exciting development, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor of JGU said, “JGU being recognised among the top 2.5% of universities in the world is testament to its aspiration to be a world-class university. This remarkable achievement of JGU rising to the 651-700 band this year from the 751-800 band last year, as per prestigious QS World University Rankings 2021 is a watershed moment and is indeed a landmark development and an important milestone in our brief institutional journey. We are deeply humbled by this international recognition for our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of excellence in higher education. Being a decade-old, private, non-STEM, non-Medicine University, we are elated to have broken all stereotypes of what it takes to become a world-class university. Our constant endeavour will be to further strengthen our teaching, learning outcomes, international collaborations and quality.” Referring to the unprecedented challenges and current uncertainties during a pandemic, Professor Raj Kumar affirmed the institutional commitment to promoting excellence at JGU and said, "At 11 years of age, a youthful and dynamic JGU is leading the path for a resurgent and emerging India to make a mark in the global higher education space. As the world fights the ramifications of a global pandemic, JGU, as the highest-ranked Indian university that solely focuses on social sciences, arts & humanities in the second-most populous country, has a significant role to play in building India and the world." 
 
JGU is now in the same league as some of the leading international and mature universities, including the American University (established in 1893), the University of Massachusetts, Boston (established in 1852) and the City University of New York (established in 1961) in the USA; the University of Westminster (established in 1838) and the University of Plymouth (established in 1862) in the UK, Leibniz Universität Hannover (established in 1831) in Germany and Tokyo Metropolitan University (established in 1949). 
 
JGU has been ranked above some of the internationally acclaimed universities around the world, including, Middlesex University (UK), George Mason University (USA), University of Houston (USA), University of Haifa (Israel), University of Seoul (South Korea), Abu Dhabi University (UAE), Universität Rostock (Germany) and Beijing Foreign Studies University (China). 
 
In his reaction, Professor (Dr.) Y.S.R. Murthy, Registrar of JGU said, “I am excited about this development. At JGU, we are strongly committed to ensuring world-class education and these rankings vindicate the steps taken by us since our inception. To jump to the 651-700 band this year from 751-800 band last year and become the number one ranked Private University would not have become possible without a sound vision, implementation plan and sustained hard work. I wish to sincerely thank all Members of the Governing Body and other apex bodies of the University, faculty members, staff, students and our partner institutions for their laudable contribution in this achievement.”
 
These results were released shortly after JGU became the first Indian university to receive QS IGAUGE E-Learning Excellence for Academic Digitisation (E-LEAD) Certification from the coveted QS IGAUGE for e-learning excellence. This represents JGU’s commitment towards providing its students a truly global experience in their academic pursuits while ensuring that even a global pandemic like COVID-19 does not deter them.
 
This news indeed comes as a ray of hope for students who aspire to pursue a world class education at a global university in India.