18. Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
Opened in 1961 as the University of Ife, and subsequently renamed, it is a federal government-run institute located in the ancient city of Ife-Ife. It holds 13 faculties and two colleges–the Postgraduate College and the College of Health and Sciences. The only Nobel laureate from Nigeria, Wole Soyinka, taught for decades at University of Ife. A thriving campus life and high research production, it is Nigeria’s crowning academic achievement.
17. Mansoura University, Egypt
Renowned for specialized medical education programs, this university in Mansoura City hosts academic centers, including a children’s hospital, a university hospital, and a hospital for general internal diseases. The medical faculty was established in 1962 as a branch of Cairo University, and in 1973 the university was officially independent.
16. University of Botswana, Botswana
The first institute for higher education in this country was established in 1982; during the apartheid era, the school was part of a larger University of Bechuanaland. When Botswana achieved independence in 1966, it was the University of Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland. Lesotho withdrew, and until 1982 it was a joint university. Botswana was once the poorest nation in the world, and the “One Man, One Beast” campaign was launched in the 70s to raise money for the stabilization of the university. It succeeded, and today holds six faculties.
15. Ain Shams University, Egypt
Providing education at all three levels (undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate), here is another school located in tumultuous Cairo. It holds eight campuses, the main one being in Abbassiya, Cairo. One of Egypt’s three oldest non-secular universities, it features 14 faculties and a separate women’s college. Webometrics World Universities ranked it as the third best in Egypt, 15th best in Africa.
14. University of Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya’s largest university did not become independent until 1970. It was formerly one third of the University of East Africa, which also included University of Dar es Salaam (next slide) and Makerere University (read ahead!). It currently boasts a massive student body of over 60,000, both undergraduate and graduate. Alumni include the Deputy President of Kenya William Ruto and Nobel Peace laureate Wangari Maathai. The Webometric rating has ranked it as Kenya’s top university.
13. University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
This public university in Tanzania’s capital was established as an affiliate college of the University of London in 1961. After Tanzania’s independence from British colonization, it became one of the aforementioned partners of University of East Africa in 1963 (see previous slide). AcademyRank has called it the best university in Tanzania. Notable alumni include the current President Jikaya Kikwete, and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.
12. University of Johannesburg, South Africa
A rather new university, UJ came into fruition in 2005, a result of three merging universities: Rand Afrikaans, Technikon Witwatersrand, and Vista University’s Soweto and East Rand campuses. It’s a fairly large school: over 48,000 students, 90 departments, and four campuses. In the 2013-2014 QS World University Rankings, it placed within the top four percent of world universities.
11. Makerere University, Uganda
Originally founded as a technical school in 1922, it developed into one of the most prestigious universities in East Africa. Nearly 35,000 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate students study there, making it the second-largest university in Uganda. Notable alumni include former and current presidents of Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as dozens of prominent African writers. Despite ongoing difficulties with striking professors, Makerere University remains one of the most respected universities on the continent.
10. American University Cairo, Egypt
American Charles A. Watson founded the AUC in 1919, striving to establish higher education in the Arab world. A non-profit, English-language, liberal arts university located in the heart of bustling Cairo, it holds a diverse, esteemed staff and a student body from over 100 different countries, and both undergraduate and graduate programs. In 2013, the QS World University Rankings named it the second best School for Business in Africa and the Middle East.
9. Rhodes University, South Africa
Rhodes University in South Africa’s Eastern Cape is on the smaller side with 7,000 students, but it is renowned for high graduation rates. Named after Cecil Rhodes and home of the coveted Rhodes scholarships, its focus on public research draws students from all over South Africa and the rest of the world.
8. University of Western Cape, South Africa
The University of Western Cape has an interesting and fairly recent history. It was founded in 1960 as a school for colored people only during apartheid under the 1959 Extension of University Education Act. Now boasting a student population of more than 15,000, it is considered one of the most diverse universities in the country and is known for its commitment to learning, teaching, and celebrating cultural differences.
7. University of Pretoria, South Africa
Set in South Africa’s capital, the University of Pretoria is an enormous public research university that is home to nearly 40,000 students and covers more than 2,700 acres. With nine “faculties,” or focuses, its veterinary and business programs are considered among the best in the world. This university often awards the highest percentage of masters and doctorate degrees in all of South Africa.
6. Cairo University, Egypt
One of the first medical schools to be established in Africa or the Middle East, Cairo University is renowned not only for its school of medicine, but also for its prestigious law program and 25 other schools, largely focusing on the sciences. It was the first civil university established in Egypt, as opposed to the existing religious institutions in the country.
5. University of South Africa, South Africa
The University of South Africa was groundbreaking in its approach to distance teaching, establishing centers around South Africa to teach students across the country. It is the largest university in Africa, with more than 300,000 students who hail from 130 different countries. Its comprehensive programs and wide reach gives students a fantastic foundation, as well as opportunities for employment across the globe.
4. University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
The result of a 2004 merger between the University of Durban-Westville and the Natal University College, the University of KwaZulu-Natal boasts an incredibly diverse student body, despite the former restrictions of the apartheid regime. Both of the original universities catered to African, Indian, and mixed race students since their inception and were considered hotbeds of anti-apartheid struggle. Today, the university offers a broad range of degrees including agriculture, theology, and fine arts.
3. Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Stellenbosch University is perhaps best known for designing and creating the first micro-satellite on the African continent, the SUNSAT, launched in 1999. But even since then, it has continued to develop into one of the most respected institutions and a leader in math and science, particularly biomedical tuberculosis research and animal sciences. It was the first African university to sign the Berlin Declaration on open access to knowledge in the sciences and humanities, demonstrating its commitment to remaining on the cutting edge of the fields.
2. University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
Located in Johannesburg, the University of Witwatersrand or “Wits” for short, has an enrollment of almost 28,000 students, of which a third are postgraduate students. As the university has its roots in the mining industry, reflective of the city in which it is situated, the Wits School of Mining Engineering is the largest in the English-speaking world, but it is also home to dozens of other programs.
1. University of Cape Town, South Africa
Despite discrepancies between various rankings, it is understood that the University of Cape Town is one of the most respected institutions in Africa, as well as in the world. Founded in 1829 as the South African College, it is the oldest university in the country and second oldest on the continent, giving it plenty of time to develop its gravitas. Approximately 25,000 students attend UCT, hailing from all over the world. Notable alumni include Nobel Peace Prize winner Ralph Bunche, film critic Roger Ebert, Westpac CEO Gail Kelly, Zolani Mahola, lead singer of South African group Freshlyground, and many more.
