LAHORE: The Information Technology University has announced the quality research rankings of more than 200 universities and research institutions in the country.

`ITU Scientometrics Lab (SLAB) used international criteria to rank Pakistani institutions in terms of real quality and impact.

This ranking is made without any prejudice and in accordance with the objectives set for the SLAB on the basis of the empirical data collected and analysed,` ITU Vice Chancellor Dr Umar Saif told a news conference here on Wednesday.

The ITU was not made part of the ranking list as it carried out the process. The ITU says the purpose of the ranking is to motivate theinstitutions and scholars to research.

Dr Saif said it only aggregated work published in top research journals and conferences and international criteria had been followed to rank Pakistani institutions in terms of real quality and impact.

He said according to the ITU quality research rankings, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, topped the overall ranking list issued by SLAB.

The QAU is followed by COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Universityof AgricultureFaisalabad, National University of Sciences and Technology, Punjab University, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), University of the Karachi, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore, and Government College University, Lahore.

The ITU-QRR also issued rank-ings of specialised institutions of Pakistan. In specialised category, Agha Khan University topped followed by Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Lahore University of Management Sciences, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Pakistan, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, NED University of Engineering and Technology Pakistan, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, NWFP Agricultural University, and University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi.

Dr. Saeedul Hassan, head of ITU`s Scientometrics Lab, said the ITU-QRR was a first step that would go a long way to start a culture of quality research in Pakistan.