Université de Bremen participates in global endeavor promoting ethical application of rankings
The University of Bremen has recently joined the "More Than Our Rank" (MTOR) initiative, an international effort launched by the International Network of Research Management Societies (INORMS) in 2022. This initiative aims to encourage a more responsible and balanced understanding of university quality beyond traditional rankings.
The University of Bremen's Vice-Rector for Research and Transfer, Professor Michal Kucera, explained that by joining the MTOR initiative, the University of Bremen wants to demonstrate its commitment to responsible evaluation and the recognition of a broader and more diverse definition of success. The initiative highlights the limitations of university rankings, which reduce complex achievements to single numbers and often overlook important factors such as social impact, sustainability, unique institutional strengths, and diverse contributions.
The University of Bremen's involvement in the MTOR initiative is part of a coordinated effort with the University of Oldenburg, with which it is connected in the Northwest Alliance. The official website for the MTOR initiative can be found at , while the Northwest Alliance's website is available at .
Professor Kucera stated that reducing and simplifying academic achievements to a number does not do justice to the diversity of universities. Too much focus on rankings can lead to incorrect incentives. A change in thinking is necessary from their point of view. The MTOR initiative does not fundamentally question university rankings but aims to view them critically and highlight that institutional achievements and contributions go beyond the aspects reflected in the respective ranking.
The MTOR initiative is supported by major higher education and research organizations such as the International Network of Research Management Societies (INORMS), the European University Association (EUA), and the YERUN network, of which the University of Bremen is a member. These organizations promote the responsible use of rankings and encourage diversity in how universities demonstrate their value and impact.
The MTOR initiative is not only about questioning the current ranking system but also about advocating for more cooperation instead of competition among universities, and for rankings that are transparent, diverse, and not driven by commercial interests. It encourages universities to showcase their individual strengths and unique contexts.
For more information, Professor Michal Kucera can be contacted at the University of Bremen via phone at +49 421 218-60021 or via email at [email protected]. The University of Bremen's participation in the MTOR initiative is aimed at promoting a more balanced understanding of university quality and impact.
The University of Bremen, through its involvement in the "More Than Our Rank" (MTOR) initiative, is seeking to demonstrate its commitment to a broader and more responsible evaluation of university success, encompassing aspects such as education-and-self-development, social impact, sustainability, and unique institutional strengths. Additionally, the MTOR initiative advocates for a shift in focus from university rankings to cooperation and transparency among institutions, emphasizing the importance of showcasing individual strengths and unique contexts.
