Mumbai: According to 2010 QS Asian University Rankings majority of the premier Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have not well fare well. The rankings listed Asia's top 200 universities, where 12 Indian institutions figure, including seven IITs and five universities. "Strength in academic peer recognition helped seven Indian Institutes of Technology and 15 South Korean universities appear in the Asian top 100," a note from the QS press office said. Among the 11 countries that are represented in the top 200, Japanese universities occupy 57 of the top 200 and five of the top 10 places in this year's table the rankings indicate that an international outlook adds considerably to the reputation and status of universities in the region. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is ranked 2nd against 4th position last year and National University of Singapore is ranked 3rd against 10th last year. "The rise of National University of Singapore to third place overall is underpinned by a strong performance in the international faculty, international students and academic peer review measures, amidst a drive to internationalize Singapore's universities," the QS press office said. IIT Bombay's grade for instance, fell six places to 36 this year as compared to 30 last year. IIT Kanpur's rank fell off to three notches to be ranked at 37 against 34 last year, while IIT Delhi fell from 36 to 39 this year. "The rankings are OK. We are not obsessed with it. Our endeavour is to continue our efforts to excel in teaching and research and we are constantly trying to improve," countered Devang Khakkar, director, IIT Bombay. IIT Kharagpur, on the other hand, climbed 84 positions up to figure at 57 against 141 last year. The University of Hyderabad, which did not figure on the list at all,last year, was ranked the 81st best Asian university this year. IIT Guwahati, too, stands at 66 this year against 171 last year. "Though we are not aware of the process of the rankings, we are happy that we have climbed 105 notches. We are constantly attempting to get better and we hope to figure in the list of at least the top 50 best institutions next year," said Gautam Barua, director, IIT Guwahati. In 2009, the rankings unveiled the strength of Hong Kong and Japan, which together accounted for all of the top five positions. The Asian University Rankings have been compiled by using parameters that are considered to be more appropriate to institutions. These parameters are included assessing a combination of regional and international factors, such as peer and recruiter reviews, the international research capabilities of the institution, teaching quality, and internationalization of the staff and students, among others.