--- title: "University of Johannesburg secures spot in Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings’ global top 30" description: "University of Johannesburg Vice-Chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi said the prestigious rankings ‘measure a university’s contribution towards the realisation of sustainable development; it is the impact we have as a university on people’." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "HIGHER LEARNING" author: "Siyabonga Goni" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/siyabonga-goni/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-20-uj-secures-spot-in-times-higher-education-university-impact-rankings-global-top-30/" published: "2025-06-20T14:10:01" updated: "2025-06-20T14:59:41" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 602 --- # University of Johannesburg secures spot in Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings’ global top 30 > University of Johannesburg Vice-Chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi said the prestigious rankings ‘measure a university’s contribution towards the realisation of sustainable development; it is the impact we have as a university on people’. By Siyabonga Goni · Published 20 June 2025, 16:10 SAST · Updated 20 June 2025, 16:59 SAST ## Key points - In a remarkable leap from 36th to 23rd in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings, the University of Johannesburg has not only claimed the title of the top institution in sub-Saharan Africa but also proved that tackling global challenges can indeed be a local affair, with initiatives ranging from hydro panels to hearty student meals. - The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has soared to 23rd in the 2025 Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings, marking a 13-place leap from 2024. - UJ is now the top-ranked institution in sub-Saharan Africa, excelling in sustainable development goals like poverty alleviation and economic growth. - Vice-Chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi highlights UJ's community projects addressing food insecurity and water access, showcasing its transformative impact. - UJ's achievement reflects the dedication of its students and staff, with Mpedi emphasising the university's role in providing hope and changing lives. ## Content The University of Johannesburg is now the leading sub-Saharan Africa institution in addressing global challenges through the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is according to the [Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings.](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/impactrankings#!/length/25/locations/ZAF/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc) The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) strong performance in the 2025 rankings, climbing 13 places from its 2024 position of 36th to an outstanding 23rd place globally, highlights its excellence in areas such as environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic growth and global partnerships — affirming its role as a transformative force in higher education. The university is now ranked among the top 30 universities in the world out of 2,318 institutions evaluated. UJ also performed well in the individual SDG top 10s, taking second place for SDG 1 (no poverty), fourth place for SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and joint fourth for SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). #### **‘We want UJ to be the best university for the world’** Daily Maverick spoke to the UJ Vice-Chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, who said this milestone was not easy to attain; however, it showed the impact that the university had on people from different communities in South Africa. Mpedi gave examples of some of the work done. “Through the UJ societal impact project in [Limpopo](https://news.uj.ac.za/news/ujs-societal-impact-project-helps-limpopo-school-achieve-record-matric-results/), we adopted villages and a high school, working with generous donors. We are addressing food insecurity. “We’ve got carriages that we have set up there, helping gogos, but there are children in a high school called Hanyani High School; they leave home at 4am to be at school at 8am. We have assisted with internet and water,” said Mpedi. ![Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg (UJ), welcomes the institution's amazing achievement of entering the global top 30. (Photo: Supplied)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/NXyPqFKaIurmgRv_FHkcww7HCDg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Vice-Chancellor-and-Principal-of-the-University-of-Johannesburg-UJ-is-Professor-Letlhokwa-George-Mpedi.jpg) *Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg (UJ). (Photo: Supplied)* ![Limpopo village of Gwakwani, a village where UJ work with the community to assist pupils in the area. (Photo: Supplied)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/hP76rPb4X1Cm7Hrgy3tx-pwqZQc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Limpopo-village-of-Gwakwani-a-villege-were-UJ-work-with-the-community-to-assist-pupils-in-the-area.jpg) *The Limpopo village of Gwakwani, a village where UJ works with the community to assist pupils in the area. (Photo: Supplied)* ![Vice-Chancellor Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi purchasing from a small community business. (Photo: Supplied)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/v-dt4xkjaak6tGEsT0d8fxueDIs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Vice-Chancellor-Professor-Letlhokwa-George-Mpedi-purchasing-from-a-small-community-business.jpg) *Professor Mpedi buying bread from a small community business. (Photo: Supplied)* Another example included work done in the Eastern Cape. “There’s a village where we set up hydro panels. There was a water issue, and through these hydro panels we harvest water from the atmosphere; these hydro panels harvest 8,000 litres of potable water,” said Mpedi. Speaking about eradicating poverty, Mpedi said challenges such as poverty, hunger, and unemployment must be dealt with by coming up with new solutions. “Many of our students are the first generation to come to varsity, and student hunger is a big issue. We have a feeding programme for our needy students, and it’s not a lousy meal. It’s like Cheesy Rice and peanut butter, and we work with generous donors; also, the university invests some of its money… “We’ve got lots of free land that is not being used. The aim is to show people that you can grow your food,” said Mpedi, who has held several senior academic and leadership positions. He served as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law, followed by his appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic. Since 2023, Mpedi has been the vice-chancellor and principal of the university. **Read more:**[Letlhokwa George Mpedi — the Karate Kid who grew up to become a vice-chancellor](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-06-letlhokwa-george-mpedi-the-karate-kid-who-grew-up-to-become-a-vice-chancellor/) For the Impact Ranking achievement, he thanked the students and his staff who had worked brilliantly. “I would say to them, ‘Thank you so much. The hard work is making a huge difference out there. It’s giving people hope.’ We are transforming lives,” said Mpedi. Among other African universities that have made it to the top 100 is the University of Pretoria, which is now ranked 63, down from 42. Nigeria’s Afe Babalola University is in joint 84th position, up from the 101-200 band. **DM**