New Delhi (Harvard Global Ranking). The recently released global ranking has created a stir in the education world. Harvard University, which held the distinction of being the world’s top educational institution for decades, now seems to be losing its dominance. According to the latest data, Harvard University and other major American institutions have seen a decline in their rankings, while Chinese universities have made a quantum leap. It is being said that this has happened due to changes in global politics and new policies of the American administration.

Experts believe that the news of Donald Trump’s cuts in the research and education budget has raised alarm bells for the American higher education system. While on one hand America is considering reducing its federal grants, on the other hand China is investing heavily to make its universities a ‘global powerhouse’. Know how the number 1 institution like Harvard University is lagging behind in global rankings and how the center of global education is now shifting from West to East.

Historic decline in Harvard’s ranking

The decline in the ranking of Harvard University after being on the top for many consecutive years has surprised education experts. Harvard University’s score has decreased on standards like quality of research papers, proportion of international students and faculty output. This is the first time that Harvard has faced such tough competition in the top 5 list that it had to give up its number 1 position.

Chinese universities are challenging

Institutions like China’s Tsinghua and Peking universities have made extraordinary progress at the global level. The Chinese government has invested billions of dollars under the ‘Double First Class University Plan’. Today, research papers of Chinese universities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects are being cited more often than those of American institutions.

Trump administration’s policies and funding cuts

The US administration under the leadership of US President Donald Trump has indicated that there could be a huge cut in the federal budget for education and science. Additionally, strict visa rules for foreign students (especially Chinese researchers) have also affected the American campus environment. When funds are less, brain drain starts, which has a direct impact on the ranking.

Is the dominance of the West ending?

Experts in the education world say that this global ranking is not just a one-year figure, but can prove to be the beginning of a big permanent change. If financial aid and intellectual freedom to American universities are curbed, the top-10 list of global rankings will be dominated by Asian countries in the coming decade.