The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has been recognised as the best university in the world for the provision of quality education, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4).
The prestigious accolade was announced in the published 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings last Thursday.
KNUST secured the top position globally with an outstanding score of 93.1, surpassing all other universities worldwide in terms of providing quality education, a statement issued by the University Relations Officer, Dr Daniel Norris Bekoe, copied the Ghanaian Times said.
The 2023 feat is a massive improvement over the 2022 rankings which placed the University at number one in Africa and 14th globally in terms of (SDG4).
The 2023 Impact Rankings, in its fifth edition, encompassed a total of 1,591 universities from 112 countries/regions.
KNUST outperformed an impressive 1,303 out of the 1,304 universities within this category across the globe, cementing its status as the premier destination for quality education globally.
The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings are the sole global performance tables that evaluate universities based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Employing meticulously calibrated indicators, ‘THE’ provides comprehensive and impartial comparisons across four key areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching,” the statement said.
The SDG 4 – Quality Education category evaluates universities’ contributions to early years and lifelong learning, research, and their dedication to inclusive education. This year, an impressive 1,304 universities from 109 countries/regions participated in this esteemed category. The 2023 feat is a massive improvement over the 2022 rankings which placed the University at number one in Africa and 14th globally in terms of (SDG4).
Expressing his reaction to the latest ranking, Dr Daniel Norris Bekoe, said the remarkable achievement reflected the substantial and strategic investments made by the university’s management over the years.
Dr Bekoe specifically praised past and current administrations for the legendary investments in infrastructure, ICT, and e-learning resources, which have significantly enhanced the educational experience at KNUST.
In addition, Dr Bekoe highlighted the noteworthy endeavours undertaken by the university’s institution in assisting emerging researchers through financial support and facilitating the pursuit of impactful research initiatives and subsequently publishing their findings inhigh-impact journals was recognised as a pivotal factor with transformative implications for the University.
Furthermore, he highlighted initiatives such as scholarships for academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students, the Support One Needy Student with One Laptop (SONSOL) program initiated by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, to bridge the digital divide, and the provision of various scholarships covering accommodation, food, clothing, and special vehicles to enhance the mobility of persons with disabilities. These accomplishments reflect KNUST’s commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that no student is left behind.
Dr Bekoe also commended the university’s administration for their proactive implementation of various policies, including those pertaining to gender, anti-sexual harassment, mentorship, quality assurance, teaching and learning, research, and professional evaluation of teaching and disability.
“These policies serve the important purpose of guaranteeing high-quality service provision and safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable members within the university community,” he added.
Dr Bekoe further emphasised the need for “all staff and students to sustain this diligent and persevering spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence.”
BY SALIFU ABDUL RAHAMAN
