These are the top universities in SA
Webometrics mid-year update of the world university rankings for 2023, reveals that University of Cape Town is once again at the top.
The University of Cape Town is once again at the top of Webometrics’ mid-year update of the world university rankings for 2023.
The rankings are based on the caliber, volume, and accessibility of university-produced web content and were developed by Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, the largest public research organization in Spain.
ALSO READ: SA universities: UCT continues to lead the pack in world rankings
WHAT DOES THE WEBOMETRICS STATEMENT SAY?
“The original aim of the Ranking was to promote Web publication. Supporting Open Access initiatives, electronic access to scientific publications and to other academic material are our primary targets.
“However, web indicators are very useful for ranking purposes too as they are not based on number of visits or page design but on the global performance and visibility of the universities.
ALSO READ: South Africa’s Top 10 universities ranked: Spoiler alert – UCT is No 1
“As other rankings focused only on a few relevant aspects, especially research results, web indicators based ranking reflects better the whole picture, as many other activities of professors and researchers are showed by their web presence.” said Webometrics.
Importantly, the rating is based on both bibliometric (research mission) and webometric (all missions) metrics, in addition to the university websites.
ALSO READ: SA universities amongst world’s best on Times Higher Education list
THE TOP 3 HIGH RANKED UNIVERSITIES IN SA
The University of Cape Town tops the list of local universities, moving up from 247th place at the beginning of the year to 237th place overall.
The University of Witwatersrand is second, moving up from 398th to 392nd overall.
ALSO READ: Mamelodi Sundowns stand no chance to re-sign star attacker?
The University of Pretoria and Steelnbosch University are ranked 437 and 441 respectively among the top 500 universities in the world (up from 438th and 450th).
In total, eight universities in South Africa are listed among the top 1000 worldwide.