نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 استادیار دانشکده مدیریت اقتصاد و مهندسی پیشرفت دانشگاه علم و صنعت ایران
2 دانشجوی دکتری سیاستگذاری علم و فناوری دانشگاه علم و صنعت ایران
3 دانشجوی دکتری سیاستگذاری علم و فناوری
چکیده
کلیدواژه‌ها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Today, universities serve as critical pillars of education, research, and technology, playing a significant role in the development of knowledge-based economies. As such, they contribute substantially to both economic and social value creation. Accordingly, evaluating the performance and positioning of universities and other higher education institutions has become a central concern for science and technology policymakers.
The primary aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive and balanced account of trends in the global rankings of Iranian universities over recent years, with particular emphasis on the past five years. The importance of this issue arises from the fact that various global ranking systems employ differing perspectives, indicators, and methodologies. Without careful analysis, temporary—or even random—fluctuations in the rankings of a few institutions may attract disproportionate attention, thereby obscuring more stable and meaningful trends. Such misinterpretations can hinder the effective use of ranking outcomes in the design and implementation of appropriate policies and strategies.
This study was conducted in two main phases. In the first phase, the status of Iranian universities within international ranking systems was examined. In the second phase, to explore the conditions of higher education institutions in the country, a combination of desk research and expert interviews was employed. Given that the study aims to provide a qualitative, non-experimental analysis of the positioning of top Iranian universities in global ranking systems, thematic analysis was utilized. Data obtained from in-depth interviews with subject-matter experts, along with relevant academic literature, were analyzed using MAXQDA software.
Thematic analysis reveals that part of the variation in rankings is attributable to the inherent structure and criteria of the ranking systems themselves, while another part results from the performance of higher education institutions and their surrounding environments. Internal factors contributing to the decline in the rankings of Iranian universities include low student-to-faculty ratios, limited international faculty and student representation, and weak academic reputation scores. However, a key strength of Iranian universities lies in their output of scientific publications and citation rates, which remain strong relative to international benchmarks.
Barriers to international collaboration among Iranian university faculty have been identified as falling into three categories: internal institutional challenges, external systemic constraints, and individual-level obstacles. This study integrates technological, organizational, and cultural dimensions into a comprehensive strategic framework. By aligning its recommendations with Iran’s political, cultural, and infrastructural context, the research seeks to bridge the gap between local conditions and the expectations of global ranking systems, offering a practical roadmap for institutional enhancement.
In this regard, the study proposes new pathways to enhance the global standing of Iranian universities while simultaneously strengthening their national impact. Key distinguishing features of this study include emphasis on the development of a localized ranking system, structural reforms to align universities with mission-oriented objectives, targeted internationalization initiatives, the expansion of collaborative networks between universities and industry, the creation of a national data platform for higher education, the standardization of reporting mechanisms, and the promotion of scientific diplomacy among regional countries. These strategies contribute tangible value to the body of literature on university rankings and higher education reform.
Based on the synthesized themes, several key leverage points for improving the rankings of Iranian universities have been identified, including:
• Enhancing universities’ technical capacity to report accurate and comprehensive data, while implementing effective monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Promoting purposeful international engagement aligned with clearly defined operational goals, particularly through collaboration with distinguished faculty members.
• Developing a strong international brand identity for selected universities.
Recommended policies and actions for improving university rankings include:
• Integrating national knowledge-based initiatives with internal university mechanisms, such as faculty promotion criteria.
• Expanding international academic networks and participating in global scientific and industrial consortia to enhance institutional reputation.
• Prioritizing the quality of publications and increasing the visibility of highly cited articles and researchers.
• Linking financial support directly to academic performance and removing funding caps for top-performing international scholars.
• Upholding meritocracy in academic appointments and promotions to sustain faculty motivation.
• Strategically allocating foreign currency resources to support international collaborations.
• Defining clear expectations for global rankings that align with localized standards, while guiding the ISC ranking system toward the gradual establishment of an independent, credible, and internationally accepted identity.
• Establishing monitoring and evaluation units within universities to design and implement leverage-based initiatives for ranking enhancement.
کلیدواژه‌ها [English]
)
ارسال نظر در مورد این مقاله