Friday, October 1, 2021

The University of Nairobi is among the top 200 institutions in the world for production of graduates with the skills and knowledge required for the modern workplace. This is according to the 23 September edition of Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Graduate Employability Rankings 2022, which looks at graduate employment processes and outcomes. UoN is placed in the 251-300 band and is the only institution in East Africa that made it to the ranking.

Overall, the independent list for career-focused students has nine African higher education institutions ranked among 550 institutions globally. The QS Graduate Employability Rankings measure university performance in terms of graduate employability, outcomes and prospects using four indicators: employer reputation (30%), alumni outcomes (25%), partnerships with employers per faculty (25%), employer-student connections (10%) and the graduate employment rate (10%).

According to the rankings website statement, each of the universities ranked has demonstrated an ability to produce graduates with the 'soft skills' required for the modern workplace. Given the fierce competition for graduate rolls around the world, students should be seriously considering how their university can prepare them adequately for full-time employment, by connecting them with global employers and ensuring they develop the necessary skills and knowledge.

In Africa, the University of Cape Town, at 95th position, is the highest ranked, followed by the University of the Witwatersrand in the 191-200 band. The University of Pretoria is placed in the 251-300 group along with Stellenbosch University and the University of Johannesburg. The University of KwaZulu-Natal is in the 301-500 band of ranked institutions. Two other African universities on the list are located in Egypt, namely, the American University in Cairo, which is placed in the 201-250 group and Ain Shams University, which is placed in the 251-300 band of ranked institutions.