Page 44 - EW may 2026

Cover Story

on curriculum upgradation and facul-
ty professional development,” says Dr.
Desai, an alumna of Savitribai Phule
Pune University who signed up with
Mithibai in 1989 as associate profes-
sor, rising to the principal’s position
in 2000. Currently, Mithibai has an
enrolment of 5,569 students and 169
faculty.
ikewise, Rev. Dr. A. Louis
Arockiaraj S.J, is pleased that
LLoyola College, Chennai
(estb.1925) has improved its ranking
to India #4 (6) with above-rank scores
under the parameters of faculty com-
petence, faculty welfare and develop-
ment, curriculum and pedagogy and
leadership/governance quality.
“Our improved ranking from #6
to #4 this year reflects the college’s Loyola College’s Dr. Arockiaraj: skill-based curricula
steady progress and capability to
adapt to the evolving educational Podar College of Commerce & mous colleges, it’s important to bear
landscape. Our commitment to form- Economics, Mumbai have retained in mind that although some autono-
ing “men and women for and with oth- their last year’s ranking and are tied at mous colleges are ranked modestly
ers,” with strong emphasis on holistic #6. Presidency College, Bengalu- nationally, they all are national assets
development, has driven continuous ru has sharply improved its ranking to and highly ranked in their host states.
curriculum and pedagogy reforms and #7 (10) to be jointly ranked with Ma- For instance, Sunbeam College
upgradation across academic and co- dras Christian College, Chennai for Women, Bhagwanpur, Va-
curricular domains. Strategic invest- (8). St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, ranasi ranked #20 nationally is the
ments in infrastructure, needs-driven ranked #8 (5), KJ Somaiya College #1 private autonomous college of Ut-
faculty development programmes, of Arts and Commerce, Mumbai tar Pradesh (pop.215 million), Ken-
active stakeholder engagement and at #9 (7) and KPB Hinduja College drapara Autonomous College,
participatory decision-making have of Commerce, Mumbai at #10 (9) India #79 is Odisha (46 million) #1
contributed to maintaining high aca- complete the Top 10 table. and St. Xavier’s College of Educa-
demic standards. Therefore, it’s not In this year’s 248-strong league tion, Patna, India #83 is #1 in Bihar
surprising that we have been awarded table of India’s best private autono- (pop.134 million).
high scores on all six parameters of Presidency College, Bengaluru classroom: Karnataka #2
collegiate education excellence. How-
ever, I am especially satisfied with
our above-rank score under the pa-
rameter of curriculum and pedagogy.
Strong emphasis on multi-disciplinary
and skill-based curricula, pedagogical
innovation and research and innova-
tion have enhanced teaching and stu-
dent learning outcomes. Last year,
we established an Lcube Busa Incu-
bation Centre to support innovation
and early-stage start-ups,” says Dr.
Arockiaraj, an alum of Loyola College
and Madras University and principal
of the college since 2023.
Beyond top table, BK Birla Col-
lege of Arts, Science & Com-
merce, Kalyan, Mumbai and R.A.

44 EDUCATIONWORLD MAY 2026