How to build up a department to become world class

The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021, released in March, compared 13,883 individual programmes, at 1,440 universities globally, across 51 academic disciplines. Seventeen departments at African universities are among the world’s 100 best places to study their subjects. How does a department or a faculty become a top study destination? University World News asked a few universities to consider some of the important building blocks.

SOUTH AFRICA-GLOBAL

Focus on niche areas and unique strengths

Mahomed Moolla

SOUTH AFRICA-GLOBAL

Professors talk about building your profile

Heather Dugmore

SOUTH AFRICA-GLOBAL

The makings of a top department

Sue Harrison

AFRICA

Global academic ranking includes 22 African universities

Wachira Kigotho

Seventeen departments at African universities can claim to be among the world’s 100 best places to study their subject, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject. African universities perform better in the social sciences, arts and humanities, as only three of the 17 top-100 departments are scientific or technological disciplines.

EGYPT

Several Egyptian universities shine in global rankings

Wagdy Sawahel

A total of 14% of Egypt’s 63 universities were considered for inclusion in the global academic rankings, according to the 11th edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject released on 4 March. The Egyptian higher education sector as a whole has also improved its ranking, signalling gains in several parts of the system such as research and innovation as well as in the employability of graduates.

AFRICA

Rankings could help students to choose where to study

Wachira Kigotho

African countries should consider increasing investments in their universities to upgrade learning and research facilities and to attract high-quality and talented academic staff, as there appears to be no overall improvement in the continent’s higher education landscape, according to QS Quacquarelli Symonds, which produces the annual QS World University Rankings.

MIDDLE EAST

Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar improve their position

Saudi Arabia, which dominates the region, has made strong advances, with 43% of Saudi Arabia’s ranked programmes rising in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, while only 2% fell in rank. The United Arab Emirates has seen rises and Qatar increased its representation.

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