Academic rankings as a source of metrics and benchmark tools for continuous improvement at Técnico Lisboa
30 de junho, 2023
by Carlos Carvalho & João Fernandes (EP-AEPQ, Instituto Superior Técnico)
Academic rankings ot only provide an opportunity to increase visibility and reputation of institutions but also can be used as benchmark tools for quality improvement, despite much criticism of biased coverage and flawed methodologies. As part of the University of Lisbon, Técnico Lisboa – a leading engineering and technology school in Portugal – has monitored and examined rankings through its Rankings Observatory in the context of strategic options, but institutional transformations have been an obstacle to exactly measure Técnico’s worth and weight in the context of the University of Lisbon. Those transformations have not contributed to leverage the positioning of the University of Lisbon in major rankings either. This paper discusses the impact of institutional transformations on the University of Lisbon and Técnico in rankings, describes Técnico’s attempts to overcome these constraints and gives examples of how it applies rankings as internal benchmark tools towards
continuous improvement.