A Science magazine poll has rated the University of Cape Town the top institution in the country for scientific research.
The magazine has based its ratings on the number of citations scored by researchers working in South African institutions.
Since 1981, UCT researchers have garnered 18 122 citations. The University of the Witwatersrand has placed a poor second at 11 220. Far down the list are Groote Schuur Hospital with 3 951, CSIR (3 135), the University of Natal (2 882) and the University of Stellenbosch (2 597). The list was compiled by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI).
Professor Cliff Moran, Dean of the Faculty of Science at UCT, comments that the ISI list shows that Wits and UCT produce research with the most impact in South Africa.
He points out that ratings based on citings fluctuate all the time.
“Who knows? Maybe in five years time Wits, which has very strong research, might have more citations.”
Professor Robin Crewe, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Wits agrees.
“What it tells us is that Wits and UCT are the two institutions in the country which clearly stand out way above the others.”
TOP TEN RESEARCH PRODUCERS
UCT 18 122 38,2
WITS 11 220 37.9
Groote Schuur 3 951 46,5
Council for Scientific 3 135 38,7
& Industrial Research
Univ. of Natal 2 882 32,4
Univ. of Stellenbosch 2 597 35,1
SA Obsevatory 2 298 38,3
SA Medical Res. Council 2 298 38,3
SA Inst. for Medical Res. 2 234 42,2
Institutes ranked according to the total number of citations to papers with at least one author from that institution, in a database of the 100 most cited South African papers published each year between 1981 and 1994.
Source: The Institute for Scientific Information/Science Magazine