International university rankings are deeply-flawed measures of third-level colleges, produced by commercial organisations.

But there’s no escaping the fact that they are highly influential indicators which guide foreign investment and flows of international students.

That’s why the latest set of university rankings have sparked alarm within higher education.

Irish universities have tumbled downwards, with Trinity College Dublin losing its status as our only top-100 university.

Senior academics say Government-imposed caps on staffing, growing student numbers and a decade of under-investment have taken their toll.

In the meantime, Irish universities are being left in the slipstream of those in rival jurisdictions such as China who are benefitting from massive investment.

It is tempting on one level to dismiss this as an issue of little real concern to Irish students.

They are, after all, getting jobs and our graduates are well-regarded internationally. But there are real reasons to be concerned.