NUR improves in international rankings

HUYE - The National University of Rwanda (NUR) has moved up 7 places in the July ‘Webometrics Ranking of World Universities’ that is largely based on global performance and visibility of the universities on the web. At continental level, the University currently stands at the 28th position moving 7 places up from number 35 in the January ranking of world universities and is ranked 3,330 in the world. The Kigali Institute of Science and Technology is ranked 8405 in the world but misses out in the top 100 ranked universities in Africa. Makerere University is the top ranked university in the in the East African Community region at number 13 in Africa followed by the university of Dar es Salam at number 22, the University of Nairobi at number 26 then the National University of Rwanda at number 28 which is the only ranked university in Rwanda among the top 100 in Africa. All the top nine universities in Africa are from South Africa, top o the list is the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University and the University of Pretoria. Harvard University has reclaimed top spot in the world rankings with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Stanford University coming second and third respectively. “We very delighted that the NUR has improved its ranking in Africa and the World. This is because of the hard work of the staff and students with the support of government and our development partners,” said Professor Silas Lwakabamba, the university Rector. Lwakabamba attributed the improvement to increased facilities for students such as computers, increased connectivity, and improved access to the library for students and teachers. Students and teachers at the university can now access 80,000 e-books, 33,000 electronic journals from within and outside the campus. According to Jawahar Manickam, the Director of ICT at the varsity, NUR is running the largest ICT network in the country with about 2,500 computers running through its system. Professor Grace Masanja, the Director of Research, said that varsity staff were actively engaged in research which is seen in terms of publications, good journals and presentations in big international conferences. She said that more than 23 research results have so far come from the university, many of which have had an impact on the country. These include; The Maraba coffee project, research in agriculture and peace and conflict resolution whose publications are influencing not only Rwanda, but the region as well. “We have had about 600 publications since 2005 with about 120 being conducted this year alone,” said Masanja. Lwakabamba said that the NUR is working with its Swedish partners to start a graduate and research school which will be supported by foreign universities for both Masters, PhD’s and research. Ends