By Felix Oketcho
Webometrics, the largest academic ranking of higher education institutions in the world has ranked Kampala International University (KIU) as third best University in East Africa, and the first-best private university in the region. The university was in the fifth position in 2023.
KIU follows the University of Nairobi and Makerere University in the first and second positions respectively, followed by the University of Dar-es-salaam (4th), and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (5th).
The university also attained 47th position in Africa from the 61st position in 2023 ranking. In Africa, KIU and Makerere University were the only Ugandan universities that made the top 50.
In Uganda, KIU maintained its position as 2nd best university after Makerere University. Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Kyambogo University, and Gulu University clinched the 3rd, 4th, and 5th positions respectively.
The Webometrics Ranking of World Universities is the largest academic ranking of Higher Education Institutions offering every six months an independent, objective, free, open scientific exercise for providing reliable, multidimensional, updated, and useful information about the performance of universities from all over the world. The primary objective of the Webometrics Ranking is to promote Open Access to the knowledge generated by the University.
This is an initiative of the Cybermetrics Lab, a research group belonging to the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), the largest public research body in Spain. The ranking uses both webometric (all missions) and bibliometric (research mission) indicators.
As of January 2024, Makerere University maintains its position as Uganda’s premier institution. Following suit is Kampala International University (KIU), a private institution, securing the second spot in Uganda.
Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) claims third place, with Kyambogo and Gulu University following in fourth and fifth positions, respectively.Busitema University ranks sixth, Kabale University seventh, and Uganda Martyrs University eighth.
The Islamic University in Uganda occupies the ninth position, with Ndejje University rounding out the top ten. Additionally, Mountains of The Moon, recently assumed under government management, occupies the eleventh spot, while Makerere University Business School (MUBS) stands at twelfth place.
Janice Busingye is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Finance and Administration and University Secretary at Kampala International University (KIU) said
“we are celebrating more than two decades of growth, dynamism and being on the learning curve in every aspect of Higher Education Delivery, and being mindful of the interests of all those consuming our services, while we respond to the ever evolving situations not only at national and regional but also international stages, ”
She said KIU is agile enough to navigate upcoming challenges and exploiting forthcoming opportunities in placement of human resources, deploying state-of-the-Art facilities and infrastructure, sourcing studious students, and integrating latest technologies that aid learning, research and innovation, while at the same time, taking on the mantle of continuous staff development and offering space and time for creative thinking and dynamism.
“We remain very creative in programme development at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, encompassing a whole range of training opportunities. I am proud of a very strong and focused team ready to attend to your needs, be it information on study, work, research, innovation, collaborations, just name it,”Busingye said.
