Future transnational knowledge networks through novel global academic rankings indicators

Abstract

Global academic rankings (GAR) are used to measure educational quality and internationalization through indicators designed to meet the interests of universities. However, they neglect relevant types of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) worldwide, especially the Polytechnic Institutes and the like. This study highlights the vocational HEIs niche, their role, and contributions to this level of education and to the expansion of transnational knowledge networks. Analyses through exploratory and documentary research methodology of the main existing GAR and their indicators revealed gaps, which could be filled in with internationalization activities currently carried out in vocational HEIs. So, its main contribution is the proposal of six new indicators and their inclusion to the existing GAR. In addition, a discussion on implementing them is carried out as a case study.