Mandela University ranked highly in Quality Education (SDG4), Life Below Water (SDG14) and Life on Land (SDG15) at this year’s global THE Impact Ratings, emerging among the leading institutions in South Africa and Africa overall.
“Mandela University performed exceptionally well in Times Higher Education's 2023 Impact Rankings, once again confirming its position as an emerging fast track leader in sustainability sciences on the African continent,” said the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalisation (DVC:RII), Dr Thandi Mgwebi.
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings use carefully calibrated indicators to assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), comparing institutions across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.
A record number of 1 700 institutions worldwide submitted data for participation in the 2023 Impact Rankings.
For the third consecutive year, Life Below Water (SDG14) was Mandela University’s flagship, with the institution rated 86th place globally, out of 504 institutions across 79 countries. The University also emerged as the leading institution in this category in South Africa and the African continent overall.
The University also performed strongly in Life on Land (SDG15), ranking in the 100 to 200 range out of 586 institutions from 80 countries, and emerging as the second ranked institution in South Africa.
Most impressive for the institution was being ranked in the 101-200 range for Quality Education (SDG4) out of an impressive 1 304 universities, from 109 countries, who submitted data for this SDG. Among South African universities, Mandela University ranked second.
For SDG 4, Times Higher Education measures universities’ contribution to early years and lifelong learning, their pedagogy research, and their commitment to inclusive education.
Mandela University’s acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr Muki Moeng, said the institution’s quality of education is underpinned by its educational philosophy of a Humanising Pedagogy.
“Our efforts are intentional and deliberate as we adopt a scholarly approach towards learning and teaching, in general, and curriculum transformation, in particular,” said Dr Moeng.
“Our student-centric approach enables us to provide our students with a holistic student experience for success. Furthermore, we have well qualified academics who are dedicated and committed in fulfilling our mission of liberating the human potential.”
Nelson Mandela University was overall ranked among the top six universities in South Africa, along with the University of Johannesburg, University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape and the University of the Witwatersrand.
“These achievements confirm that Nelson Mandela University is well on its way to reaching its goals in not only its traditional areas of strength (Life Below Water and Life on Land) but also in becoming an inclusive institution committed to lifelong learning and addressing issues of inequality in South Africa, on the continent and globally,” said Dr Mgwebi.