Kumasi, Feb 18, GNA - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has been ranked the 20th best university in Africa. This is contained in the latest rankings of the 100 best universities on the continent released in January, this year, by Webometrics, an International Consortium of Information Research Scientists. Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, the Vice Chancellor, said this was an improvement over last year's 30th position ranking.

Criteria used, ranged from the university's research output, effects on society, number of community services during the review period, population of international students and lecturers to the institution's appeal to the international community.

Other Ghanaian Universities ranked were the University of Ghana, which placed 40th, Central University and Ashesi University, which ranked 58th and 97th respectively.

Professor Adarkwa told the media in Kumasi that the latest ranking was a challenge to faculty members as it has placed on them the challenge of intensified research programmes to benefit society. He said the University Council would continue to put emphasis on science and technology programmes to enable them achieve the goal of becoming a centre of excellence.

The Vice Chancellor asked students and faculty members to work hard to help realize the university's target of becoming the best Science and Technology University in Africa.