The University of Cape Town (UCT) has ranked within the top 201–300 range of universities, as indicated by the 2023 Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). This ranking means that UCT has retained its standing as the leading university on the African continent.
According to UCT, the ARWU annually evaluates over 2 500 universities, selecting the top 1 000 for publication.
Also read: UCT architect receives 2022 Social Responsiveness Award for Macassar project
Professor Sue Harrison, UCT’s deputy vice chancellor for research and internationalisation, expressed pride in this achievement, stating that it brings international recognition to the university.
‘UCT continues to be ranked the top university on the continent, a position that reflects the exceptional calibre of our researchers and their contributions and an achievement that has gained the university international recognition,’ she said.
She also emphasised that while this accomplishment is celebrated, it’s essential to acknowledge that rankings, including the ARWU, provide only a partial view of the academic landscape. They do not encompass the full scope of critical elements such as research, teaching and learning that significantly impact institutions and communities in the Global South.
Harrison further noted that UCT’s 2030 Vision aims at fostering a just and equitable society by harnessing human potential and remains the guiding force behind the university’s priorities.
This vision reportedly acknowledges that rankings, while important, are not the sole measure of success.
The ARWU employs a set of six indicators to rank universities globally, including the number of alumni and staff who have received Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals, highly cited researchers, articles published in renowned journals such as Nature and Science, articles indexed in major citation indices and the per capita academic performance of the university.
An additional facet of UCT’s excellence is reflected in the list of highly cited researchers released annually by Clarivate Analytics. This list highlights researchers who have made significant impacts through the publication of highly cited papers. UCT boasts three researchers on its most recent list: Emeritus Professor William Bond, Professor Estelle (Vicki) Lambert and Professor Dan Stein.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k. Find car listings here.
Harvard University retained its position as the top-ranked institution in the ARWU for the 21st consecutive year, with Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) securing the second and third spots, respectively.
In parallel with its ARWU achievement, UCT also earned the top spot among African universities in other world rankings released this year. The QS World University Rankings 2024, published in June, positioned UCT as the foremost institution on the continent, with a notable jump of 64 places compared to the previous year.
According to the university, this improvement is largely attributed to a revised methodology that considers international collaborations, graduate employment rates, alumni success and the institution’s contributions to societal and environmental impact.
In a similar vein, the Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR) 2023, released in May, placed UCT at the 267th position globally, signifying its position within the top 1.4% of universities worldwide and its status as the leading university in Africa.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Let these great offers inspire you and fuel your imagination! Get them here.
Also read:
Western Cape school takes top honours in SARB’s MPC Schools Challenge
Picture: University of Cape Town / Facebook