Three days ago, Denver buzzed me and asked what were the reactions of UP students to the new university rankings based on QS World University Rankings 2008.
At first, I didn’t believe what he said. I even asked him a proof.
Ateneo de Manila University – 254
University of the Philippines – 276
Honestly, I wasn’t shocked by the rankings. Maybe I knew that something was wrong — something connected to UP.
A moment ago, I read an article by Kris Danielle Suarez at www.abs-cbnnews.com the “criteria” for the rankings. Here’s an excerpt.
“The THE-QS World University Rankings are based on data gathered in the following categories: peer academic review, recruiter review, international faculty ratio, international student ratio, student-faculty ratio, and research citations per faculty.”
I just wonder now why has the research output be in the least. I’m not being defensive here; I don’t think radically. I just don’t think international students, faculty or whatsoever are salient for the basis. God, it has to be research.
For instance, De La Salle University produces nice research outputs every year. I even salute the La Sallians who developed the first solar-powered car in the Philippines. Moreover, DLSU’s engineering.
Why was I talking about DLSU? Because it produces research outputs that are as good as UP’s, and these are eventually going to be useful in the society. On the other hand, I haven’t read any news reporting Ateneans develop such great machines or any environmental friendly methods of whatsoever.
So be it, Ateneo leads UP. Anyway, I know for a fact that Ateneo excels in Humanities, Management, and Law.
Can I put the blame to our President Emerlinda Roman? Why? Because she didn’t pass the necessary requirements for QS’s rankings; She didn’t let UP participate in that “peer academic review.” Because of her negligence, the stats of UP turned out to be like this (Click here). Meanwhile, Ateneo, having participated in the “peer academic review,” has stats that is this (Click here).
Bravo Madame UP President, you failed us UP students once again, bravo, bravo, bravo.
Okay. To conclude, may I say Ateneo leads UP…for now.
