Academic freedom and democracy in African countries: the first study to track the connection [The Conversation, August 2022]

Title:

Academic freedom and democracy in African countries: the first study to track the connection 

 

Author:

Liisa Laakso

Senior Researcher, The Nordic Africa Institute

 

Published:

The Conversation, 17 August 2022

https://theconversation.com/academic-freedom-and-democracy-in-african-countries-the-first-study-to-track-the-connection-186579

 

From the article:

There is growing interest in the state of academic freedom worldwide. A 1997 Unesco document defines it as the right of scholars to teach, discuss, research, publish, express opinions about systems and participate in academic bodies. Academic freedom is a cornerstone of education and knowledge.  

 

Yet there is surprisingly little empirical research on the actual impact of academic freedom. Comparable measurements have also been scarce. It was only in 2020 that a worldwide index of academic freedom was launched by the Varieties of Democracy database, V-Dem, in collaboration with the Scholars at Risk Network.

Ranking of Universities in the United Arab Emirates: Exploring a web-based technique [Scholarly Article - South African Journal of Higher Education, 18 September 2021]

Title:

Ranking of Universities in the United Arab Emirates: Exploring a web-based technique

 

Authors:

K. K. Govender, University of KwaZulu-Natal Research Fellow   

E. Nel, Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management, Johannesburg

 

Published:

South African Journal of Higher Education, 18 September 2021

https://www.journals.ac.za/index.php/sajhe/article/view/4104

 

Abstract:

This study investigated university rankings in the UAE within the context of the challenges facing higher education globally in the 21st century, by using the Webometric ranking methodology. Data was collected and analysed on the top 20 UAE universities. It was apparent that the UAE universities do not perform as well as expected in the Webometrics ranking, when compared with peer countries. The ratings are slightly below that which is expected, especially when one considers measures such as research publications. Strategies to improve performance using the Webometrics indicators could have a positive impact on the UAE universities. Improvements in communicating research and their web presence is likely to move the UAE universities up the Webometrics rankings, and their academic reputation in the country.

 

Discover the world’s top universities. Explore the QS World University Rankings® 2022

Title:

QS World University Rankings

 

Published:

QS, 2021

https://www.topuniversities.com/qs-world-university-rankings

From the website:

Featuring 1,300 universities from around the world, this year's university rankings are our largest ever. Each institution has been assessed according to five key metrics, and you can learn more about this process by reading our methodology.

Also see

Title:

SA's top five universities according to 2021 global rankings list

Published:

Parent24, 8 June 2021

https://www.news24.com/parent/learn/tertiary-education/sas-top-five-universities-according-to-2021-global-rankings-list-20210608

From the article -

The top 5 South African universities according to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021:

1. University of Johannesburg

2. University of Cape Town

3. University of Pretoria

4. Nelson Mandela University

5. University of Western Cape

Universities should be ranked on societal impact to justify their worth – report [Belfast Telegraph, 21 July 2020]

Title:
Universities should be ranked on societal impact to justify their worth – report

Author:
Eleanor Busby

Published:
Belfast Telegraph, 21 July 2020
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/universities-should-be-ranked-on-societal-impact-to-justify-their-worth-report-39387168.html

From the article:
Universities should justify their worth through a ranking system that assesses their impact on society to counteract the “corrosive narrative” that institutions are “disconnected ivory towers”, a report says.

The Conversation, 24 May 2020 - We think there’s a better way to assess the research of African academics: here’s how

Title:
We think there’s a better way to assess the research of African academics: here’s how

Author:
Olumuyiwa Asaolu, University of Lagos

Published:
The Conversation, 24 May 2020
https://theconversation.com/we-think-theres-a-better-way-to-assess-the-research-of-african-academics-heres-how-132287

From the article:
"Since the Western world usually leads in setting the criteria, academic prestige comes from conforming to Western standards in the execution and reportage of research projects. But some African researchers are now asking questions about the fairness, transparency and reliability of these processes of evaluation and scholarly rankings. They are also concerned about the effect of Western expectations on African societies and their needs."

REPORT - Best Countries 2020: Global rankings, international news and data insight

Title:
Best Countries 2020: Global rankings, international news and data insight

By:
The content leverages data derived from a proprietary survey produced in partnership with U.S. News & World Report, BAV Group and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, specifically professor David J. Reibstein.

From the report:
"The 2020 Best Countries report and rankings are based on how global perceptions define countries in terms of a number of qualitative characteristics, impressions that have the potential to drive trade, travel and investment and directly affect national economies. The report covers perceptions of 73 nations."

To read the report:
https://media.beam.usnews.com/8e/b0/c99b324c4a0a8c1f6dd7c76d903c/200108-best-countries-overall-rankings-2020.pdf

Short Article: The QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia University Rankings 2020: What you need to know

Title:
The QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia University Rankings 2020: What you need to know

Author:
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)

Published:

QS, 15 October 2019

From the article:

"Russian higher education institutions are dominating the recently released QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia University Rankings 2020 with the top three institutions all located within Russia."

To read this article:

https://www.qs.com/emerging-europe-central-asia-university-rankings-2020/

To request your free copy of the QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia University Rankings 2020 document:

https://www.qs.com/portfolio-items/qs-emerging-europe-central-asia-university-rankings-2020/

Rankings: The Best Student Cities of 2019

QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a global higher education institution, published the 2019 QS Best Student Cities Rankings. 

This survey (2019 International Student Survey) lists the best cities for studying abroad. 

London was identified as the number one student city in 2019.

To see the rest of the results:
https://www.qs.com/rankings-revealed-the-best-student-cities-2019/