Wits tops global research rankings
JOBURG – Wits University continues to climb the ladder of top universities in the world.
Wits University has bagged the top position in Africa in the latest Shanghai rankings.
The latest Academic Ranking of World Universities, also known as the Shanghai rankings, has Wits among the top one percent of universities in research, globally. “At Wits our research output has increased substantially in the last few years,” said Prof. Zeblon Vilakazi, deputy vice-chancellor of research at Wits.
“Noting, though, that this achievement is a culmination of work done over many years by our researchers. We are truly appreciative of this recognition, and we are particularly appreciative of our researchers, scientists, students and alumni to whom these accolades really belong.”
Vilakazi commended the Universities of Cape Town, Stellenbosch and KwaZulu-Natal that have also been ranked among the top 500 universities in the world in the prestigious rankings, and said it clearly demonstrated the strength of the South African higher education system.
Also read: Wits ranked as top university in SA
“Our research output as a country is at one of its highest levels to date, and this bears testament to the high quality of research emanating from South Africa,” he added.
According to Vilakazi, while rankings are one indicator, it does not solely determine the quality of education at universities.
He added that Wits was mindful of the fact that different ranking systems used different methodologies, and that their results must, therefore, be approached with a level of measured circumspection.
The university was ranked as the top tertiary institution in South Africa, according to a list released by the Center for World University Rankings last month. “For this reason and others, we believe that as a university we should not be driven by ranking systems. Rather, our focus should be on building a nationally responsive and globally competitive institution,” concluded Vilakazi.
