Independent research: SDPI ranked among top 60 think tanks

Global Go To Think Tank Index also ranks Islamabad-based organisation amongst top 20 in South Asia and Pacific

An Islamabad-based think tank has been listed among the top 60 global independent think tanks.

In the 2016 edition of the Global Go To Think Tank Index, the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) has been ranked at 55 among the top 60 think tanks globally, 42 among the world’s trans-disciplinary research think tanks and at 15 from amongst the Southeast Asia and the Pacific think tanks, SDPI said on Thursday.

The index ranks 6,846 think tanks globally which have been nominated by eminent experts, policy makers, and public thought leaders. The ranking is made by the think tanks and civil society programme at the University of Pennsylvania on an annual basis. The 2016 edition of the report also marks its 10th anniversary.

SDPI’s Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, at a luncheon  briefing on Thursday to synchronise with the index’s global launch, said, “This is a moment to rejoice for all of us in Pakistan that SDPI has raised the name of the country high by clinching 55th position from among the top 60 independent think tanks.”

“This shows that independent research has a value in Pakistan.”

He added that the ranking had gained further significance since SDPI celebrates its silver jubilee this year as well.

Dr Suleri further said that the importance of independent think tanks had increased manifold amid the populous demands for change. Think tanks, he said, can bridge policy gaps when the political leadership across the world opts for taking on populous demands which may have adverse policy impacts on the geo-political situation.

In such a scenario, Dr Suleri said independent think tanks can provide objective analyses and evidence based policy solutions.

In the Index, SDPI has been ranked at 42 for trans-disciplinary research.

“Based on our excellence in research policy output, SDPI has been placed at the 43rd position among Think Tank to Watch category,” he said.

Moreover, SDPI has been placed at the 65 for environment policy for the second consecutive year and 43 for quality assurance, integrity policies and procedures category.

In recognition of SDPI’s work on social policy, the institute has been ranked at 99 among the world’s top social policy think tanks for the second consecutive year.

SDPI also secured 61st position for Best Institutional Collaborator think t hank worldwide, a point  higher than last year’s ranking.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2017.