blue minimalistic wallpaper in 4K high resolution (1).jpg

Legal

Welcome to our Legal Information page. Your trust and transparency matter to us, which is why we’ve outlined the key policies governing your use of this website and our services. By accessing or interacting with our platform, you agree to abide by our Terms & Conditions of Use, which define the rules and responsibilities for all users.

Terms & Conditions of Use

Welcome to the official website of HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC (“HERA”, “we”, “our”, “us”), registered in Miami, Florida, USA. By accessing or using our website and services, you agree to be bound by the following Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree, please discontinue use immediately.

1. Acceptance of Terms : By accessing, browsing, or using this website, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old or are accessing under the supervision of a parent/guardian. You also agree that these Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and HERA.

2. Scope of Services : HERA provides:

Higher education rankings, reports, and publications.
Student resources including articles, guides, and scholarship updates.
Institutional services including consultancy, data analytics, recruitment support, and visibility solutions.
Access to surveys, submissions, and participation platforms.
Career Counselling, advisory and enrollment counselling, admissions support

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our services without prior notice.

3. Use of Website : You agree to use this website only for lawful purposes. You must not:

Misuse or interfere with the website’s security features.
Attempt to access non-public areas, data, or systems.
Copy, reproduce, or redistribute HERA content without written permission.
Submit false, misleading, or unauthorised data on behalf of an institution.

Violation of these terms may result in suspension of access, removal of content, and legal action.

4. Intellectual Property Rights : All content on this website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, data sets, rankings, reports, images, icons, and software, is the property of HERA or its licensors.

You may not reproduce, modify, or distribute HERA’s content without explicit written consent.
Institutions are permitted to use HERA’s digital badges, certificates, or recognition tools only in accordance with HERA’s guidelines.

5. Ranking & Research Disclaimer : HERA’s rankings, reports, and analyses are based on data submissions, surveys, and independent research.

While HERA takes reasonable steps to verify data accuracy, we do not guarantee completeness or absolute accuracy.
Rankings are our independent opinion and assessment; they are not statements of fact.
HERA bears no liability for institutional, financial, or student decisions made on the basis of our rankings or reports.

6. Data Submissions by Institutions : Institutions providing data or participating in HERA rankings agree that:

All submissions must be accurate and lawful.
HERA reserves the right to verify, audit, or reject data that is incomplete, misleading, or unverifiable.
Submitted data becomes part of HERA’s proprietary research and may be used in rankings, reports, and publications.

7. User-Generated Content : If students or other users contribute surveys, comments, or testimonials:

You grant HERA a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and publish such content.
HERA may remove or edit submissions at its sole discretion.

8. Limitation of Liability : To the maximum extent permitted by law:

HERA is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of this site.
We do not warrant that the website will be error-free, uninterrupted, or free from viruses.
Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid (if any) to access HERA services.

9. Indemnification : You agree to indemnify and hold harmless HERA, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and contractors from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising from your use of this website or your violation of these Terms.

10. Third-Party Links : HERA’s website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their content, privacy policies, or practices. Accessing them is at your own risk.

11. Governing Law & Jurisdiction : These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, United States of America. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of Miami-Dade County, Florida.

12. Modifications to Terms : HERA reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes are effective immediately upon posting. Continued use constitutes acceptance.

13. Contact Information : For questions regarding these Terms, contact us at:

HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC, Miami, Florida, USA
Email: legal@hera-global.org

Privacy Policy

HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC (“HERA,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you interact with our website, surveys, rankings, and services. By using our website or submitting data, you agree to the practices outlined in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information:

A. Personal Information (Students & Users)

Name, email address, phone number, mailing address.
Educational background, career interests, and survey responses.
IP address, device information, and geolocation (where applicable).
Any content you submit via forms, surveys, or community forums.

B. Institutional Data

Data voluntarily submitted by universities, colleges, or schools for rankings, audits, or consultancy.
Information on faculty, students, research output, facilities, or finances, as provided.
Contacts of institutional representatives (names, roles, emails).

C. Automatic Data Collection -

When you browse our website:

Cookies, browser type, operating system, and access times.
Clickstream data, pages visited, referral sources.
Analytics data through tools like Google Analytics.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

Provide access to rankings, reports, and student resources.
Analyse data for research, benchmarking, and publications.
Communicate with institutions, students, and stakeholders.
Send newsletters, scholarship updates, and promotional materials (opt-out available).
Improve website functionality, security, and user experience.
Conduct surveys and validate ranking data.
Fulfil legal or regulatory obligations.

3. Sharing & Disclosure of Information

We may share information under these circumstances:

With Institutional Partners: Aggregated and anonymized student survey data may be shared with universities to improve services.
With Service Providers: Third-party vendors supporting hosting, analytics, surveys, and marketing.
For Legal Compliance: To comply with court orders, law enforcement requests, or applicable laws.
For Business Transfers: In case of mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring of HERA.

We do not sell personal data of students or institutions to third parties.

4. Data Retention

Personal and institutional data will be retained for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this Policy.
We may keep anonymized or aggregated data indefinitely for research and benchmarking.
Users may request deletion of their personal data (subject to legal and contractual obligations).

5. Data Security : HERA uses reasonable technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect data against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.

Encryption of sensitive data during transmission.
Restricted access to internal research teams only.
Regular audits and security testing.

However, at times, no system is 100% secure. By using our website, you acknowledge that HERA is not liable for breaches beyond reasonable control.

6. International Data Transfers

As a US-registered company, your information may be stored and processed in the United States. By using our services, you consent to such transfers, which may not provide the same level of data protection as in your home jurisdiction.

7. Student Surveys & Feedback

Survey responses are anonymized before inclusion in rankings.
Individual identities are not disclosed without explicit consent.
HERA reserves the right to use survey data for reports, whitepapers, and research publications.

8. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

HERA uses cookies and similar technologies to:

Improve website performance and personalization.
Analyse traffic and user behaviour.
Support targeted communications and marketing.

You may control cookies through your browser settings. For more details, see our Cookie Policy.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction (e.g., EU under GDPR, California under CCPA), you may have the right to:

Access, correct, or delete your personal data.
Opt out of promotional communications.
Restrict or object to data processing.
Request data portability.

Requests can be submitted via privacy@hera-global.org. HERA will verify your identity before processing requests.

10. Children’s Privacy

HERA’s website is not intended for individuals under 16. We do not knowingly collect data from minors. If we become aware that data from a child has been collected, we will delete it promptly.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

HERA is not liable for accidental disclosure, unauthorized access, or breaches beyond reasonable safeguards.
Institutions are solely responsible for the accuracy of data they submit.
Users remain responsible for the security of their own devices and login credentials.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

HERA reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Updates will be posted on this page with the “Effective Date” at the top. Continued use of our website constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Information

For any questions, concerns, or requests, contact us:

HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC, Miami, Florida, USA
Email: privacy@hera-global.org

Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC (“HERA,” “we,” “our,” “us”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website. By continuing to browse or use our site, you agree to the use of cookies as described in this policy.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They help websites function properly, remember user preferences, and provide insights into user behaviour.

Cookies may be:

Session Cookies: Temporary, deleted when you close your browser.
Persistent Cookies: Remain until deleted or expired.
First-Party Cookies: Set by HERA’s website.
Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services (e.g., analytics, ads, social media).

2. How We Use Cookies : HERA uses cookies and related technologies for the following purposes:

A. Essential Cookies

Enable website functionality (navigation, login, forms).
Ensure security features (e.g., fraud prevention, authentication).
Without these, the site may not function properly.

B. Performance & Analytics Cookies

Collect data on how visitors use our website.
Track visits, page views, time on site, and traffic sources.
Help us improve design, content, and user experience.
Example: Google Analytics.

C. Functionality Cookies

Remember your preferences (language, region, survey participation).
Save login details for returning users.
Provide a personalised browsing experience.

D. Advertising & Marketing Cookies

Deliver targeted communications about HERA rankings, reports, and events.
Measure the effectiveness of our outreach campaigns.
Support retargeting on search engines and social media.
Example: Meta Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag, Google Ads.

3. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our site are provided by trusted partners to enhance our services. For example:

Analytics providers (Google, etc.) to monitor performance.
Advertising networks for promotional campaigns.
Social media platforms to enable sharing and engagement.

HERA does not control third-party cookies and is not responsible for their policies. Please check their respective cookie policies for details.

4. Your Choices & Control

You have options to control cookies:

Browser Settings: Adjust your browser to block, delete, or notify you about cookies.
Cookie Consent Tool: Use our on-site consent banner to accept, reject, or customise cookie preferences.
Opt-Out Tools: Visit www.aboutads.info/choices or www.youronlinechoices.eu for interest-based advertising controls.

Please note: Disabling cookies may impact site performance and limit access to some features.

5. Data Collected Through Cookies

Cookies may collect:

IP address, device type, and browser type.
Pages visited, time spent, and navigation paths.
Interaction with surveys, rankings, or forms.

This data may be aggregated or anonymised for research and analytics.

6. Changes to Cookie Policy

HERA reserves the right to update this Cookie Policy at any time. Changes will be posted with a revised “Effective Date.” Continued use of our site means you accept the updated policy.

7. Contact Us

For questions regarding this Cookie Policy, contact:

HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC, Miami, Florida, USA
Email: privacy@hera-global.org

Disclaimer Policy

This Disclaimer Policy governs your use of the HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC (“HERA,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) website, services, rankings, reports, and publications. By accessing our website or relying on our content, you agree to the terms of this Disclaimer.

1. Nature of Rankings and Research

1.1 HERA’s rankings, reports, and research outputs are based on data submissions from institutions, student and faculty surveys, public sources, and independent analysis.

1.2 While HERA takes reasonable steps to verify data accuracy, we do not guarantee that any information is complete, accurate, current, or error-free.

1.3 Rankings represent HERA’s independent assessment and opinion at a given point in time. They are not statements of fact, certifications, or guarantees of quality.

1.4 Institutions’ positions in HERA rankings may vary year to year due to changes in methodology, data inputs, or survey outcomes.

2. No Professional or Legal Advice

2.1 Content on HERA’s website, rankings, or publications is provided for general informational purposes only.

2.2 Nothing published by HERA constitutes professional, legal, financial, or educational advice. Students, parents, and institutions must exercise independent judgment before making decisions.

2.3 HERA disclaims any responsibility for outcomes of admissions, employment, institutional partnerships, or accreditation decisions made on the basis of our rankings or reports.

3. Limitations of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

3.1 No Liability for Reliance: HERA is not liable for any decision, admission outcome, employment opportunity, partnership, funding, or policy action taken based on our rankings, research, or reports.

3.2 No Liability for Institutions’ Data: Institutions are solely responsible for the accuracy and completeness of data they submit. HERA assumes no responsibility for false, incomplete, or misleading submissions.

3.3 Indirect or Consequential Damages: HERA shall not be held liable for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages arising from the use of our website, rankings, or publications — including but not limited to financial losses, reputational harm, or missed opportunities.

3.4 Service Interruptions: HERA does not warrant that the website will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free. Technical issues, downtime, or maintenance may occur without liability to HERA.

3.5 Force Majeure: HERA is not responsible for delays, failures, or losses caused by circumstances beyond our control, including acts of God, cyber-attacks, data breaches, or third-party failures.

4. Intellectual Property Disclaimer

4.1 All HERA rankings, reports, and publications are the intellectual property of HERA and protected under copyright law.

4.2 Institutions may use HERA’s logos, badges, or certificates only in accordance with HERA’s brand usage guidelines.

4.3 Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification of HERA content is prohibited and may result in legal action.

5. Third-Party Links and Content

5.1 HERA’s website may contain links to third-party websites. These are provided for convenience only and do not constitute endorsement.

5.2 HERA is not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party websites. Accessing third-party content is at your own risk.

6. Surveys and User-Generated Content

6.1 Student or faculty survey responses are anonymized and aggregated for research.

6.2 HERA does not guarantee the accuracy of survey responses and is not liable for any reliance placed on them.

6.3 Any content submitted by users (e.g., testimonials, comments) reflects their opinions and does not represent HERA’s official stance.

7. No Warranties

7.1 HERA provides all content “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied.

7.2 We specifically disclaim any implied warranties of accuracy, reliability, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

8. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

8.1 This Disclaimer is governed by the laws of the State of Florida, USA.

8.2 Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of Miami-Dade County, Florida.

9. Updates to Disclaimer

HERA reserves the right to update this Disclaimer at any time without prior notice. Updates will be posted on this page with a new “Effective Date.” Continued use of our website constitutes acceptance of any revisions.

10. Contact Information

For any queries regarding this Disclaimer, please contact:

HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC, Miami, Florida, USA
Email: legal@hera-global.org

IP & Copyright

This Intellectual Property & Copyright Notice outlines the ownership of materials on the website of HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC (“HERA,” “we,” “our,” “us”), registered in Miami, Florida, USA. By accessing, browsing, or using our website, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms.

1. Ownership of Content

1.1 All content on this website and related HERA publications - including but not limited to rankings, reports, data sets, white papers, articles, blogs, graphics, images, logos, icons, audio, video, design layouts, methodologies, and software code - is the sole property of HERA or its licensed partners.

1.2 Content is protected by United States copyright law, international copyright treaties, and applicable intellectual property laws worldwide.

1.3 No transfer of ownership or rights is implied by access or use of this website.

2. Permitted Use

2.1 You may view, download, and print pages from the HERA website for personal, non-commercial, informational purposes only.

2.2 Limited use of HERA’s logos, rankings badges, or certificates is permitted only with express written authorization or under published HERA brand usage guidelines.

2.3 Institutions featured in HERA rankings may reference their placement with accurate attribution and must include the appropriate year of ranking.

3. Prohibited Use

You may not, without prior written consent from HERA:

Reproduce, republish, copy, distribute, display, or transmit any part of HERA’s content in any medium.
Sell, license, or commercially exploit HERA’s rankings, reports, or methodologies.
Modify, reverse-engineer, or create derivative works from HERA content.
Use HERA’s intellectual property in a way that implies endorsement or partnership without authorization.
Remove copyright notices, trademarks, or disclaimers from HERA materials.

Violation of these terms may result in immediate termination of access and legal action.

4. Institutional Use of HERA Content

4.1 Universities, colleges, and schools featured in HERA rankings may use their results for promotional purposes only if:

They provide full and accurate attribution to HERA.
They do not alter or misrepresent rankings or reports.
They comply with HERA’s brand guidelines on digital badges and certificates.

4.2 Unauthorized or misleading use of HERA rankings or reports may result in withdrawal of recognition and possible legal enforcement.

5. Trademarks

5.1 “HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics,” the HERA logo, taglines, and ranking names are owned by HERA.

5.2 Unauthorized use of HERA trademarks is strictly prohibited and may violate federal trademark law.

6. Data & Methodologies

6.1 HERA’s ranking methodologies, frameworks, weightages, and survey tools are proprietary intellectual property.

6.2 Institutions may not reproduce, repurpose, or redistribute these methodologies without prior written approval.

6.3 Any unauthorized use of HERA’s data or methodologies may result in civil and criminal penalties.

7. Enforcement of Rights

7.1 HERA actively monitors misuse of its intellectual property.

7.2 We reserve the right to pursue all available remedies — including injunctions, damages, and legal costs — against unauthorized use of our intellectual property.

7.3 HERA may suspend, revoke, or deny institutional participation if misuse of intellectual property is detected.

8. Reporting Infringements

If you believe HERA’s intellectual property has been misused, please notify us immediately at legal@hera-global.org.

Reports must include:

Your full name and contact details.
A description of the infringing material.
The URL or location where the infringement occurred.
Evidence of ownership (if applicable).

9. No Waiver : Failure by HERA to enforce its intellectual property rights in any instance does not constitute a waiver of such rights in future cases.

10. Governing Law : This Notice is governed by the laws of the State of Florida, United States of America. Any disputes regarding intellectual property shall be resolved exclusively in the courts of Miami-Dade County, Florida.

11. Contact Information

HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC, Miami, Florida, USA
Email: legal@hera-global.org

Accessibility Statement

HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC (“HERA,” “we,” “our,” “us”) is committed to ensuring that our website and digital resources are accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to provide a user experience that is inclusive, equitable, and aligned with recognized accessibility standards.

1. Our Commitment

1.1 HERA is committed to providing a website that meets the needs of all users, regardless of ability.
1.2 We aim to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA as published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
1.3 We also work to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and federal accessibility laws.

2. Accessibility Features

Our website incorporates:

Alternative Text: All non-text content (images, icons) includes alt text where appropriate.
Keyboard Navigation: Site features are operable using standard keyboard commands.
Readable Content: Fonts, colors, and layouts are selected for clarity and legibility.
Contrast & Visibility: Color contrast is maintained to aid users with visual impairments.
Responsive Design: The website is optimized for use across desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
ARIA Landmarks: Where applicable, ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes are used to support assistive technologies.

3. Ongoing Efforts

Accessibility is a continuous effort. We:

Regularly review the website for accessibility issues.
Integrate accessibility checks into design and development.
Train our content teams to follow accessibility best practices.
Seek input from users to improve inclusivity.

4. Third-Party Content

4.1 While HERA strives to ensure accessibility, some third-party features (such as embedded videos, social media plugins, or external links) may not fully conform to WCAG standards.
4.2 HERA is not responsible for accessibility of third-party content outside our control.

5. Disclaimer & Limitation of Liability

5.1 HERA makes reasonable efforts to ensure accessibility but does not guarantee that all content will be fully accessible at all times.
5.2 Users may experience temporary accessibility issues due to updates, third-party tools, or technical limitations.
5.3 To the fullest extent permitted by law, HERA disclaims liability for any claims, damages, or losses arising from accessibility issues beyond our reasonable control.

6. Assistance and Feedback

We welcome feedback on accessibility improvements. If you encounter barriers or require support accessing our content: Email: accessibility@hera-global.org

We aim to respond to accessibility-related requests within 10 business days.

7. Policy Updates

HERA reserves the right to update this Accessibility Statement at any time. Changes will be posted with an updated “Effective Date.”

8. Contact Information

HERA – Higher Education Research & Analytics LLC, Miami, Florida, USA
Email: accessibility@hera-global.org