The University of Ghana’s Capacity Building and Research Performance (CaB-ReP) Unit of the Research and Innovation Directorate (RID) organized a seminar on Thursday, 19 June 2025, aimed at enhancing research performance and improving the university’s global ranking.

The seminar, themed “The Role of RID Staff in UG’s Ranking and Research Performance,” brought together Research Administrators to deepen their understanding of the key factors influencing university rankings. Mr. Jacob Zuttah, Senior Research Development Officer at RID, led the presentation, highlighting the critical indicators used by global ranking agencies such as Times Higher Education (THE) in assessing higher education institutions.

Mr. Zuttah emphasized the importance of publishing in reputable journals, citation impact, ethical review processes, commercialization, and patent registrations as vital components that contribute to the University of Ghana’s reputation and ranking. He noted that these rankings serve as a benchmark for attracting students and funding, underscoring the need for strategic research management.

The University of Ghana currently features in several prestigious rankings, including THE’s Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings, World University Rankings, and University Impact Rankings. Institutions are evaluated based on academic reputation, citation per faculty, international research collaborations, and student diversity, among other criteria.

Moderating the seminar, Mrs. Amma Appah highlihted the competitive environment among African universities and the growing expectation for research-led development. She encouraged Research Administrators to stay abreast of current trends to better support researchers.

Professor Nancy Quashie, Deputy Director (Research) at RID, called for targeted orientation programs for new faculty members and identified opportunities for RID staff to contribute to increasing UG’s international research visibility.

Participants also discussed challenges such as barriers to commercialization, patenting, and the high costs of publishing in high-impact journals.

The seminar concluded on a positive note, with Mr. Zuttah stressing the importance of strengthened collaboration between academics and research administrators to further elevate the University of Ghana’s performance and prominence on the global stage.

This initiative reflects the university’s commitment to fostering a vibrant research culture and enhancing its international standing through capacity building and effective research management.