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Nigeria has claimed the top spot in Africa with four universities featured in the continent’s top 10 tertiary institutions renowned for exceptional teaching skills, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) report. Education is widely recognized as a pivotal tool in shaping Africa’s socioeconomic growth and development. Despite this, African universities often face criticism for their teaching quality compared to institutions in Europe and the United States.
With Africa’s burgeoning youth population, the importance of effective teaching skills in universities cannot be overstated. Experts emphasize that quality education is crucial in addressing the continent’s skills mismatch in the labor market. They argue that a competence-based education system at the tertiary level is essential to bridge the skills gap prevalent in many African economies.
The Times Higher Education report highlights several African countries that boast excellent teaching skills in their top universities. Quality teaching is seen as vital in tackling development challenges such as poverty alleviation, economic growth, and sustainable development.
Here are the top African universities with the best teaching skills, as ranked by Times Higher Education:
1.University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Nigeria
– Formerly known as Cross River University of Technology, UNICROSS tops the list with a teaching quality index of 85.3. Established in 2002 and renamed in 2021, it is a state-owned institution with campuses across four local government areas in Cross River State.
2.Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria
– A private Christian university in Benin City, Edo State, founded in 2002. It ranks second with an index of 84.9, reflecting its strong teaching capabilities.
3. Rongo University, Kenya
– Originating as a technical school in the 1970s and achieving university status in 2011, Rongo University is ranked third with a teaching quality index of 84.2. It maintains partnerships with international institutions such as Brighton and Nottingham Trent University.
4. Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana
– This Ghanaian institution, known as AAMUSTED, focuses on technical, vocational education, and entrepreneurship, ranking fourth with an index of 83.7.
5. Ardhi University, Tanzania
– Established under the Ardhi University Charter of 2007, this public institution ranks fifth with a teaching quality index of 81.6. Despite its recent official establishment, Ardhi has provided training for over 60 years.
6. Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Nigeria
– Founded as Katsina University in 2006 and renamed in 2010, this university ranks sixth in Africa with an index of 80.7.
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria**
– Established in 1988 with a focus on teaching, research, and extension services, FUNAAB is seventh in the ranking with an index of 79.0.
SBAT University, Uganda
– Recognized as a university in 2016, ISBAT ranks eighth with a teaching quality index of 79.0, noted for its experiential learning approach.
Ashesi University, Ghana
– Founded in 2002 with a mission to develop ethical, entrepreneurial leaders, Ashesi University is ranked ninth with an index of 78.5.
10. University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
– Commonly known as Wits, this public research university, founded in 1922, ranks tenth with an index of 77.9.
The Times Higher Education ranking methodology involves gathering data from current students and bibliometric analysis, focusing on four critical areas: resources, engagement, outcomes, and environment. These pillars form the basis of the teaching quality index, highlighting institutions that excel in providing quality education to their students.