Anna University has released its undergraduate students rank list that includes gold medallists.
Close to 1,200 students of 80 colleges that were part of the erstwhile Anna University of Technology, Chennai, have received ranks in different subjects.
Amongst the affiliated colleges, there are 106 first-rank holders. The other rankings are split among the erstwhile Anna Universities of Technology (AUTs) in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchi and Tirunelveli.
In some courses, there are 50 ranks, while in others only one or two ranks have been awarded. “The number of ranks in each course was decided depending on the number of students studying that particular branch and based on a cut-off. For example, in manufacturing engineering and textile engineering (fashion engineering), we have awarded only one rank,” an official from Anna University said.
Another factor that determined rankings was the cumulative grade point average. “We were lenient with the ranking system this year since the ranks could affect placements,” he added.
A large number of the rank-holders are from Chennai, but this could change in years to come, say experts. Sai Prakash Leo Muthu, CEO and managing trustee, Sai Ram Group of Institutions, said, “When the results of the various erstwhile AUTs are taken together, it is possible that the number of ranks from Chennai-based colleges could come down.”
For the gold medallists and first-rank holders, students from the various AUTs were clubbed together. R.M. Kishore, vice-chairman of RMK College of Engineering, said, “Since the question papers were different for the different AUTs, the comparison may not have been on an even keel.”
While many educationists feel rankings are an indication of the quality of students and of the college, others feel they do not hold much value since there are no regulations of the exam process.
According to E. Balagurusamy, former vice-chancellor of Anna University, the examination systems need more checks before ranking and pass percentages can be taken as reliable measures of the college.
Educationists, however, feel the large number of ranks will be beneficial. Jose Swaminathan, principal of Loyola ICAM College of Engineering and Technology, said, “Students with universe ranking will be preferred for job placements.”