4 ms·

800$ is a very big sum for a lot of my countrymen. Also it is true that a lot of Indian schools operate with very few resources, that would be required to appro

800$ is a very big sum for a lot of my countrymen. Also it is true that a lot of Indian schools operate with very few resources, that would be required to appropriately educate all the students they serve. And this makes them noncompetitive in international university rankings. And to be frank it is not in our interest to pander to the rankings, because they encourage expenditure of a large amount of resources to train a few people who may or may not directly help the nation's economy. I don't think rankings are as important to even individuals as access to employment opportunities. The cost of college education has to be weighed against the return on investment. If for example, the H1B restrictions are tightened to the extent that foreign students aren't able to find job opportunities, then the ranking of the university would be irrelevant in absence of decent return on investment. I believe the same holds true for the native students seeking graduate education. If the cost of education is too high, be it monetary cost or opportunity cost, the people will not seek it.

watwut 9y ago
" it is not in our interest to pander to the rankings, because they encourage expenditure of a large amount of resources to train a few people " What do you mean by that?
- taway_1212 9y ago
  You need top scientists to get publications in Nature, Science etc. These scientists (and the equipment they need) cost a lot, and it's unclear whether it's actually a reasonable investment for a country where so many basic needs (ex. reliable electricity) are still unmet.
  - RA_Fisher 9y ago
    Except the American scientists we're paying aren't publishing their statistical code or data just an advertisement of scholarship. I'm not convinced it's a good deal. In fact, I think it's probably a huge waste considering the opportunity cost of the money.
    - taway_1212 9y ago
      Some people argue that US government’s generous spending on sciences is in big part for security reasons - so that, if the next deadly weapon is to be discovered, US will have it first. In such case, sharing code and data is be counterproductive.
      - RA_Fisher 9y ago
        Not by this American taxpayer's preference, we have enough war machines and war-induced suffering!
- nonamechicken 9y ago
  " train a few people who may or may not directly help the nation's economy." The words "who may or may not directly help the nation's economy" makes me think they mean this: IITs are considered the top institutions in India. I have heard that the people who come out of these IITs don't really help India. Most of them end up working in developed countries and contribute to those economies. Nothing much for India. So, it doesn't make sense to spend money on them. If I have to choose between funding for one IIT or 5-10 low grade engineering colleges, I would choose the latter because in some way, it is still benefiting India. IITs, I don't know. Just my thoughts based on those quoted words.

watwut 9y ago

" it is not in our interest to pander to the rankings, because they encourage expenditure of a large amount of resources to train a few people " What do you mean by that?

taway_1212 9y ago
You need top scientists to get publications in Nature, Science etc. These scientists (and the equipment they need) cost a lot, and it's unclear whether it's actually a reasonable investment for a country where so many basic needs (ex. reliable electricity) are still unmet.
- RA_Fisher 9y ago
  Except the American scientists we're paying aren't publishing their statistical code or data just an advertisement of scholarship. I'm not convinced it's a good deal. In fact, I think it's probably a huge waste considering the opportunity cost of the money.
  - taway_1212 9y ago
    Some people argue that US government’s generous spending on sciences is in big part for security reasons - so that, if the next deadly weapon is to be discovered, US will have it first. In such case, sharing code and data is be counterproductive.
    - RA_Fisher 9y ago
      Not by this American taxpayer's preference, we have enough war machines and war-induced suffering!
nonamechicken 9y ago
" train a few people who may or may not directly help the nation's economy." The words "who may or may not directly help the nation's economy" makes me think they mean this: IITs are considered the top institutions in India. I have heard that the people who come out of these IITs don't really help India. Most of them end up working in developed countries and contribute to those economies. Nothing much for India. So, it doesn't make sense to spend money on them. If I have to choose between funding for one IIT or 5-10 low grade engineering colleges, I would choose the latter because in some way, it is still benefiting India. IITs, I don't know. Just my thoughts based on those quoted words.