September 26, 2019

Addis Ababa University ranked 13th in list of Best Global Universities in Africa

Addis Ababa University (AAU) was ranked 13th in Africa and 729th globally in the fifth annual U.S. News Best Global Universities rankings. The rankings used 13 indicators and weights to measure global research performance. The rankings, which aimed to create a comprehensive snapshot of academics’ opinions about world universities, asked respondents to rate universities at the field and department level, rather than at the institution level, providing specific and accurate measurements of a university’s reputation as a whole. “This new ranking is a testimony to AAU’s dedication and commitment to excellence in higher education,” said Dr. Yonas Adaye Adeto, Director of IPSS.

AAU was established in 1950 as the University College of Addis Ababa (UCAA). Since its inception, it has been the leading centre in teaching-learning, research and community services. Beginning with an enrolment of 33 students in 1950, AAU now has 48,673 students and 6043 staff. In its 14 campuses, the University runs 70 undergraduate and 293 graduate programmes (72 PhD and 221 Masters), and various specializations in health sciences. Over 222,000 students have graduated from AAU since its establishment.

“This new ranking is a testimony to AAU’s dedication and commitment to excellence in higher education,” said Dr. Yonas Adaye Adeto, Director of IPSS.

Prominent famous alumni from Addis Ababa University include: Meles Zenawi, the late prime minster of Ethiopia; Isaias Afwerki, President of Eritrea; Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia; and Rupiah Banda, the former President of Zambia among others.

The Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) was established in 2007 following a tripartite agreement between Addis Ababa University, the Royal Danish Embassy in Ethiopia, and the University for Peace Africa Programme.

Since its inception, IPSS has promoted peace and security through research, education, and outreach by providing top quality academic and professional training for conflict analysis and conflict prevention, management, resolution, and peacebuilding with an all-African outlook. In 2010, IPSS was identified by Addis Ababa University as one of its five “Centres of Excellence” and has ranked among the top 50 think-tanks in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2014 to date (Global Go To Think Tank Index Reports).

In the global ranking, three U.S universities: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of technology, and Stanford University held the top three places. In the Africa category, three South African universities: University of Cape Town, University of Witwatersrand, and University of KwaZulu Natal ranked first, second and third, respectively.

These are too 20 universities located in African countries, including South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Ethiopia, have been numerically ranked based on their positions in the overall Best Global Universities rankings. Each institution was evaluated based on its research performance and its ratings by members of the academic community around the world and in the region. These are the top global universities in Africa.