University of Nairobi Ranks 7th in Africa

University of Nairobi|Fountain of Knowledge|PHOTO:UON PRESS

The University of Nairobi has moved 52 places upward from its previous ranking in July 2014 and emerged position 855 out of over 25,000 ranked universities across the globe.Since the advent of web ranking in 2004,the university has shown an upward trend making it into the South African dominated Africa’s top ten.Kenya was the only East African country in the Africa’s top ten category which comprised of seven South African universities and two Egyptian universities.The Africa’s top ten universities were;University of Cape Town,Stellenbosch University,Cairo University,University of Pretoria,University of Witwatersrand,University of Kwazulu Natal,University of Nairobi,University of Western Cape,American University of Cairo and University of South Africa.

Top 10 Universities in Africa|Web ranking indicators

 

Web ranking indicators also placed University of Nairobi’s overall web presence to position 330 up from 1109.On dedicated websites and institutional research repositories, the University of Nairobi improved to position 29 up from position 44 from the July 2014 Webometrics Rankings.The University Digital Repository was ranked top in the region,sixth out of 57 in Africa and number 257 worldwide.Previously in July 2014,the University Digital Repository was ranked seveth in Africa.Kenyatta University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology repositories were ranked second and third respectively in Kenya.

UoN also emerged ahead of some reknown universities around the globe such as California State University(position 862), Illinois State University (915), and Florida Institute of Technology (880),London Business School (1432), University of Hull (944) and Middlesex University (994).  In Africa, UoN thrashed University of the Western Cape (8), University of South Africa (10), Mansoura University (11), Makerere University (13), and University of Dar es Salaam (37).Harvard University emerged top globally while University of Cape Town emerged top in Africa.

University of Nairobi population currently stands at over 80,000 students up from 30,000 in 2004, making it the largest university in East Africa.The academic staff is estimated at 154 Professors and 253 Associate Professors.174,000 students have graduated from the university since its inception in 1970.

Story by Jeremiah Wakaya

Senior Editor

Real Trends Blog

 

AJ’s Mohamed Fahmy Compelled to Quit Egyptian Citizenship

#FreeAJStaff

Peter Greste |His family spoke of their happiness at his release from prison

There was a sigh of relief as Peter Greste,one of the three Al Jazeera journalist  of Australian nationality, who had been behind bars for 400 days was freed from prison and deported.However,Peter,who was released on Sunday said he felt “incredible angst” at leaving his colleagues in a Cairo jail reiterating that,”If it’s right for me to be free then it’s right for all of them to be free.”Peter further said that he will not rest until his two colleagues are also released.

Mohamed Fahmy, one of two al-Jazeera journalists still held in Egypt, has renounced his Egyptian citizenship to secure his release,says family spokesperson.

TIMELINE:AJ JOURNALIST DETENTION

‘Drop Nationality or forget about Freedom’

Mohamed Fahmy |Nationality or freedom |I choose freedom

In concerted efforts to secure the release of Mr. Mohamed Fahmy,his fiance and his mother pushed him to relinquish his citizenship after authorities were reported to have gave him a choice between “dropping the nationality or his freedom.”This move has however been termed as a very difficult decision by Mr. Mohamed’s brother,Adel who told reporters that Mohamed is very proud and comes from a patriotic family of high-ranking military and policemen that have defended this country and fought its wars.” Mr. Adel further said that many family members were offended by Mr. Mohamed’s decision to relinquish his citizenship.The BBC quotes John Baird,Canadian Foreign Minister as having said on Monday that Mr. Mohamed release was “imminent”.However,it remain unclear whether a decree issued by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi last November allowing the deportation of foreign prisoners  will apply to Mr. Mohamed’s case as concerns arise about the fact that he is an Egyptian who hold no dual citizenship.

Reporters Without Borders campaign estimates show that there are currently 165 journalists imprisoned around the world, including 15 in Egypt.

Story by Jeremiah Wakaya

Senior Editor

Real Trends Blog