Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, organised a State Level Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Workshop on Jharkhand State Institutional Ranking Framework (JSIRF) in collaboration with Jharkhand State Higher Education Council (JSHEC) and Department of Higher and Technical Education (DHTE), Government of Jharkhand from 11-26 September 2024 in XISS.

The inaugural session began with the felicitation of Dr Vibha Pandey, Deputy Director, DHTE, GoJ by Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director, XISS. JSIRF has been established in line with the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) to rank the higher educational institutions of the state. This will ensure the real status of these institutions, challenges, growth and strategies.  Management Colleges, Medical Colleges, Engineering Colleges, State Universities & Colleges, and Law Colleges will come under the JSIRF.

Director, XISS, Dr Kujur, in his address, presented the purpose of the workshop, emphasizing JSIRF as a pivotal initiative for the development of the state's educational institutions. He highlighted that this ranking framework presents an opportunity for Jharkhand to lead by example, especially after Gujarat's earlier attempt at institutional ranking, which did not succeed. He stated that this is a historical milestone for Jharkhand, providing a model for other states to follow. He also emphasized the importance of the institutional ranking system in achieving this objective, enabling all institutions to access and utilize resources equitably. He underscored that quality assurance is a major element within the ranking system, ensuring that state institutions can stand on par with national and international institutions. He also elaborated on the importance of considering the social, cultural, economic, and territorial diversity of Jharkhand in the ranking framework. In conclusion, Dr Kujur reiterated the significance of the JSIRF as a critical initiative that not only aligns Jharkhand's institutions with national and global standards but also strengthens their role in fostering a diverse and inclusive educational environment.

Earlier, Dr Vibha Pandey extended her gratitude to all participants, and acknowledged the challenges faced by institutions, particularly in rural areas, during the NAAC accreditation process, describing it as a difficult and burdensome task. She emphasized the need to create a state ranking platform to ease these challenges and support institutions. She highlighted the importance of motivating institutions to rise to the national level, ensuring their growth and visibility. She also identified four key stakeholders essential to this process: students, faculty, administration, and Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) members, emphasizing that their involvement would play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education in Jharkhand.

In this workshop, representatives from all universities including two students, two teachers, and one IQAC coordinator participated. In the workshop, experts discussed details of the JSIRF along with its requirements, and the strategies for securing marks. Suggestions from the educational institutions were also noted for improving the framework.

During the workshop, Dr Amar Eron Tigga, Dean Academics, XISS pointed out several areas where the current institutional system needs improvement. He mentioned the importance of bridging the gaps related to infrastructure, availability of resources, and equitable access to quality education throughout different parts of Jharkhand. Dr Tigga emphasized the need for inclusiveness, ensuring that the institutional ranking framework reflects the state's social, cultural, and economic diversity, so that all communities can benefit. He also proposed a forward-looking strategy aimed at incorporating modern technological tools, investing in faculty training, and encouraging innovation. He also highlighted the necessity for continuous review and evolution of policies to maintain Jharkhand’s institutions' competitiveness at both national and global levels.

Further in the workshop, there were sessions taken up by Dr Amar and Dr Mrityunjoy Roy, Associate Professor, XISS on topics including Quality Assurance, Problems, Accreditation, Ranking Framework, Holistic Approach, and on NIRF, NACC, and NBA.

The FGD briefing was done by Dr Pratyush Ranjan, Assistant Professor, XISS followed by several group tasks to formulate the framework.