Employers consider the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru to be one of the world’s best universities at producing graduates with the skills they need for the workplace, placing it 38th in a new global ranking of 150 varsities.
Graduates from American universities are ranked as the most employable, with the California Institute of Technology (1st place) leading the pack, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2nd) and Harvard University (3rd).
The sixth annual Global University Employability Ranking published by Times Higher Education is based on feedback from 2,500 recruitment managers from large international companies. It shows employers continue to favour graduates from US institutions.
Large global employers based in India surveyed as part of the research revealed that Indian employers value communication skills, adaptability and the ability to work in a team above other non-academic skills graduates may possess, researchers said.
Indian employers also placed more importance than those around the world on flexibility, motivation and the ability to work under pressure, they said.
Phil Baty, Times Higher Education World University Rankings editor, said: “A university education brings a host of life-enhancing benefits but for many students, launching a successful career is one of the most important outcomes.
{{/usCountry}}Phil Baty, Times Higher Education World University Rankings editor, said: “A university education brings a host of life-enhancing benefits but for many students, launching a successful career is one of the most important outcomes.
{{/usCountry}}“For these students, the sixth Global University Employability Ranking will bring them insight and clarity they can’t get anywhere else.”
The survey asked those responsible for graduate recruitment at large international employers to define what they look for and which universities are most successful at producing graduates who meet their needs.
The findings are drawn from 20 countries and reveal some clear distinctions in what employers consider to be the most important employability skills.
For example, employers in India, France, the US and Britain seek students with strong communication skills, while Chinese and German managers consider adaptability to be the most important trait.