The International University Rankings: It Is Possible to “Measure” Academic Quality and Prestige?
Abstract
The text is dedicated to the problem of the measurement of academic prestige or reputation in popular international university ranking lists as Times Higher Education and Quacquarelli Symonds Rankings. Academic reputation is considered as subjectively constructed concept, yet it is also the main indicator in both ranking systems. Could the academic reputation be measured and what are the main problems in the process of this measurement is the main focus of this paper. The text also analyzes briefly the social impact of these international university rankings on the universities and national educational policies.
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