Panjab University Develops First-Ever System to Rank Scientists Internationally

Chandigarh, Punjab - Panjab University has taken a significant leap forward by developing its very own system to rank scientists globally, making it the first institution in India to achieve this feat. The system, developed by researchers led by Dr Neeraj Kumar Singh and Rohit Chauhan, will allow faculty members to assess their global standing in real-time, improve citations, and enhance their research's perception among international experts.

The PU portal boasts several key features, including the HM index (a citation metric that measures research impact and accounts for multi-authored manuscripts) and composite scores. Unlike leading citation databases like SCOPUS/Web of Science, where global rankings are presently unavailable, this system offers improved transparency, accuracy, and a user-friendly interface.

When asked about the methodology behind ranking generation, Dr Singh explained, "We calculate composite scores using six indices: total citations, H-index, HM-index, single author citations, single and first authored citations, and single, first, and last authored. This eliminates guesswork involved in ranking generation and ensures consistency in applying the methodology."

The PU researchers have also successfully addressed issues found with Stanford's prominent ranking system, such as ambiguity regarding the total number of authors considered or inconsistencies between SCOPUS profiles.

As a result, 46 faculty members from the PU featured among the world's top 2 per cent scientists list in September this year. According to the researchers, key issues like mismatches between serial numbers and ranks have been resolved.

The development of this system marks a significant milestone for Panjab University, as Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig applauds the efforts of the researchers. "This is a crucial step towards devising our own methods and parameters for evaluating research and researchers," she said.

With this innovative system in place, PU faculty members can now track their global standing with unparalleled accuracy and make informed decisions about improving their research output."