According to the Webometrics Rankings of World Universities, released this month, The National University of Rwanda (NUR), has moved up seven places, to 28 from 35, on the continent.

NUR, which was the only Rwandan university among the top 100 in Africa, has contributed enormously to the social economic development of the country. The university was among the institutions that were destroyed by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. However, it quickly repositioned itself and started producing graduates with the skills required to contribute to the overall reconstruction of the country.

It was not easy, considering that the demand for university education was much higher compared to the places available at the time. However, the institution was able to gain its ground and rose to the occasion.

The latest Webometrics rankings, which are largely based on global performance and visibility of the Universities on the web, are proof that NUR is on the right track. The university administration attributes the improvement to increased access to computers and internet, which has facilitated research and wide publication of work from the university.

Education, like other sectors in the country, has registered remarkable progress, however, there is still a long way to go. NUR may be ranked 28 today, but they should set their sights on moving higher up, the next time the rankings are made.

The country has other universities, despite being relatively new, nothing should stop them from working hard to join the top 100 universities in Africa.

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