UAES Explores Strategies to Boost University Ranking, Global Visibility

The University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, on Thursday, 27 August 2026, held a workshop on university rankings aimed at strengthening the institution’s performance, visibility and competitiveness on national and global ranking platforms.

The workshop, themed “Understanding University Rankings: Strategies for Strengthening University Performance, Visibility and Global Ranking,” was attended by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christopher C. Eze; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Dr. Obinna Adumanya; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Dr. Emmanuel Uzodinma; Acting Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Olachi Ihejirika; Acting Bursar, Dr. Mrs. Iwunna Stella Adaremmy; University Librarian, Prof. Chidi Nwosu; and 136 registered participants comprising teaching staff of the University including Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments and Heads of Units, as well as workshop assistants.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christopher C. Eze, encouraged participants to maximise the knowledge and insights gained from the seminar, stressing that improving the University’s visibility and position on the global map requires the collective efforts of the entire University community.

The first facilitator, Prof. Chinedum Uzoma Nwajiuba, South-East Representative of the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC), former Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, and former Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State, spoke on “Laying a Strong Foundation for Excelling in Global and In-Country University Rankings.” He emphasised the importance of understanding ranking indicators, maintaining accurate institutional data and establishing appropriate structures to support the University’s ranking activities.

He also highlighted the need for effective use of official University communication channels and competent leadership across units and departments as key elements in strengthening institutional visibility and performance.

The second facilitator, Dr. Noel Biodun Saliu, Secretary of the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC) and former Deputy Executive Secretary, Academics, National Universities Commission (NUC), presented on “Building Institutional Excellence and Global Visibility: Strategies for Sustainable Competitiveness.” He advocated a data-driven and strategy-led approach to improving university rankings.

He identified research, teaching, internationalisation and industry engagement as critical areas requiring sustained attention. Among other recommendations, he called for increased publication in high-impact journals, stronger international research collaborations, improved PhD output, better staff-to-student ratios, greater attraction of international staff and students, as well as increased industry engagement through consultancy, commercialisation and research contracts.

During the interactive session, the Vice-Chancellor reiterated the need for participants to translate the knowledge acquired into practical actions that would contribute to the University’s institutional development. Discussions also focused on strengthening the University’s presence on relevant ranking platforms and exploring opportunities for strategic collaboration.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Dr. Obinna Adumanya, delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating the facilitators, the Director of Academic Planning, resource persons and participants for their contributions to the success of the seminar.

The workshop underscored the importance of reliable institutional data, research excellence, international collaboration, effective leadership and stronger industry engagement in advancing UAES’s visibility and competitiveness within the higher education sector.