India's happiest and institutions of academic rigour announced

New Delhi : UK based QS Quacquarelli Symonds’s, Indian subsidiary, QS I-GAUGE announced India’s happiest educational institutions at a Conclave in New Delhi, awarding over 33 universities, colleges, and schools from Pan India, after a rigorous assessment exercise which began in December last year in association with industry body ASSOCHAM. These institutions were titled as “Institutions of Happiness (IOH)”.  

Present at the event in New Delhi’s India Habitat Centre, was the Hon’ble Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani, who presided over the event and awarded the certificates. On the occasion she said that “It is important that educators gain insights into the level of happiness of students, their well-being, quality of life, and engagements in sustainability and social change projects, which will enable institutions to advance forward for outcomes.”

The ‘Institution of Happiness’ status was bestowed after a rigourous exercise that covered over 100 institutions, but only 33 of them were able to qualify the set thresholds. Some of the universities which received this status are Chandigarh University, Chitkara University, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, GITAM University, Hindustan University, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, JSS Academy, Manav Rachna Group of Institutions, Shiksha 'O' Anusandhan University, Shoolini University, Northcap University, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, VELS university etc. 

Manav Rachna Educational Institutions comprising Manav Rachna University (MRU), Manav Rachna Dental College (MRDC) and Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies (MRIIRS) are amongst the big leagues of higher education. Manav Rachna has been conferred with the ‘Institution of Happiness’ award for fostering happiness in the academic environment at the conclave today.

Some of the colleges which were awarded are Bharati College, Guru Nanak Institute of Technology, Jaipuria Institute of Management, KES' Shroff, KIET Group of Institutions, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology etc. The most prominent schools to receive this status are Adani World School, CS Academy, Global Indian International School, Griffins International School, Mukundapuram Public School, N L Dalmia High School, SSVM Institutions, Trio World Academy etc. 

QS I-GAUGE was launched in 2018 at the hands of the Former President of India, Late Shri Pranab Mukherjee, and was set up as an international, independent, private-sector initiative specialised in rating colleges, universities, and schools. The system was designed after the highly recognised QS STARS University Rating System, and further adapted to capture the reality of the dynamic Indian higher education sector, while at the same time maintaining the strict quality standards that are synonymous with the QS brand.

At the same event, the independent rating outcomes of over 22 Indian universities, colleges, and schools were also announced, after completing the assessment in over 100 indicators spread across various categories ranging from teaching & learning, faculty quality, employability, social responsibility, and internationalisation to research, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports, and arts & culture.  

Some of the institutions that received the overall QS I-GAUGE rating were BML Munjal University, Chandigarh University, Father Muller Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Karunya Institute, KES' Shroff, Saveetha University, Sharda University, Schoolini University, SGT University, Vimal Jyothi Engineering College etc. New entrants to the school rating were Sacred Heart Group of Schools and Unison World School. 

For many of the institutions that received both their Institution of Happiness and QS I-GAUGE Rating, it was a double bonanza to be recognised both as the happiest institutions as well as institutions of excellence in various categories. 

On the same occasion, Dr Ashwin Fernandes, CEO, and Director of QS I-GAUGE said, “Quality and excellence are of great significance in imparting education, as it enhances the capacities and capabilities of the learners, who will bridge the gap between the underdeveloped and the developed nations. This is not possible without the involvement of every stakeholder. QS I-GAUGE is actively involved in providing global expertise to Indian institutions in this journey”