UG ranks seventh in African academic rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings has announced Africa’s best Universities in its recent publications.

The University of Ghana was ranked the 7th in Africa making Ghana’s premier university topmost in the West Africa sub-region.

A statement issued in Accra by Ms. Stella A. Amoa, Director of Public Affairs and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said University of Cape Town once again hit the top position, while East African giant, Uganda’s Makerere University is the only institution outside South Africa to make the top five in fourth place.

It said the World University Rankings is being published ahead of THE’s second Africa Universities summit, which will be held at the University of Ghana from 27 to 29 April 2016, on the theme: “Globalisation and Policy Directors for African Higher Education.

Nico Cloete, Director Center for Higher Education Trust and coordinator of the Higher Education Research and Advocacy Network in Africa, said four institutions in the list Cape Town, Makerere, Nairobi and Ghana have adopted strategies to become research-led flagship universities in their country and seen significant increases in doctoral graduates and research outputs during the last five years.

“This snapshot ranking is based on the same criteria as the World University Rankings but are keen to develop a bespoke range of metrics, following a public consultation, for a full Africa University Ranking,” said Phil Baty THE ranking Editor.

It quoted Mr. Ernest Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor University of Ghana saying “our investments in research are beginning to pay off. Our reforms have been extremely beneficial. I am grateful to all the hardworking researchers and others who have made our consistent rise possible.”