The University of Nairobi (UON) has emerged as the only Kenyan institution to feature on the prestigious list of the top 2,000 universities globally, according to the 2023 edition of the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). Although UON has dropped 20 places from the previous ranking, it is still positioned at a respectable 1,425.
Harvard University continues to maintain its reign as the best university in the world, followed closely by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the University of Cambridge. In Africa, the University of Cape Town takes the lead at 267 globally, with the University of Witwatersrand following at 290.
CWUR is a renowned consulting organization based in the UAE, providing policy advice, strategic insights, and consulting services to governments and universities worldwide, aiming to enhance educational and research outcomes. What sets CWUR apart is its evaluation process, which does not rely on surveys or university data submissions. Instead, it assesses universities based on four key areas: education (25%), employability (25%), faculty (10%), and research (40%).
UON’s global rankings in terms of employability and research are 1,610 and 1,365, respectively. This indicates that a significant number of UON graduates face challenges in securing employment compared to their counterparts from top-ranking universities like Harvard.
Within East Africa, Makerere University in Uganda secures a spot at 950, while Tanzania’s Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences is ranked at 1,920.
The University of Nairobi’s improved research ranking can be attributed to increased funding, primarily through grants from the government and international organizations. However, the employability aspect remains an area of concern, signaling the need for further efforts to bridge the gap between academia and the job market.
It is worth noting that the United States holds the most significant representation in the top 2,000 universities, with eight institutions in the top 10 and a total of 335 universities on the list. Other countries with notable representation include China (302), Japan (118), the United Kingdom (94), France (77), and Russia (42). In Africa, Egypt leads with 21 universities on the list, followed by South Africa with 13.
