By Francis Sadhere
Delta State University, Abraka, has been ranked 69th position in Africa, according to the latest University Ranking in Africa published in the maiden edition of the journals Consortium for 2015.
According to a survey carried out by the Journals Consortium, among 1,447 universities in Africa, DELSU also climbed to 20th position in Nigeria and third among state owned universities.
Before the latest ranking, DELSU was not listed among Africa’s first 100 universities and was 54th in Nigeria and also fourth among state universities.
According to the official bulletin of the University, the great and heartwarming feat was stemmed from the avowed determination of the university management, staff and students in ensuring that the university ranks among the renowned university nationally and globally.
“The Vice-Chancellor who was elated by the giant academic stride made by the university spoke glowingly of this development and vowed to improve on the academic fortunes of Delta State during his tenure, just as he reaffirmed his desire to make the university a centre for academic excellence that will meet industrial and societal needs”, stated the bulletin.
The ranking by Journal Consortium, according to the bulletin, was based on research publication and citations from the last five years (2010-201) as well as their visibility on the internet.
Established in 1992, the university evolved from the old Bendel State University as a faculty of Education. Today, the university which has Professor Victor Peretomode as Vice-Chancellor is made up of a main campus at Abraka and two other campuses at Oleh and Asaba with a total of eleven faculties, a formidable post graduate school and a world class teaching hospital at Oghara. The university has over the years attracted renowned who have added much value to its fitting into the idea of a university.
Since its establishment some twenty-three years ago, the university has experienced phenomenal growth despite government’s dwindling funding. The immediate past Vice Chancellor, Professor Eric Arubayi worked hard to turn the university into a modern and world acclaimed institution of learning. Since taking over in 2014, Professor Peretomode has doubled the development stride in a bid to actualize the lofty aspirations of the University founding fathers.
