For the third time running, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been ranked the top producer of research outputs in South Africa. This is according to a report by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), released on 1 April 2025. In this latest report, in terms of refereed republications, UJ has again achieved the #1 position in South Africa with 3195.1 research output units.
The Report on the Evaluation of the 2023 Universities’ Research Output highlights the number of units obtained from research publication outputs with a 2023 publication date, submitted and evaluated in 2024. Notably, the report shows that this year, UJ has further widened the gap between the university and the next institution of higher education. Even more remarkable, UJ’s per capita research output is now double the sector average, highlighting the exceptional productivity and impact of its scholars. This is the third consecutive year that the University has scored the highest number of accredited research outputs, following its achievement over the last two years. Last year, UJ achieved a total of 3143.7 units.
Commenting on this achievement, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi said the rankings are “an affirmation that UJ is steadfast in its commitment to addressing societal challenges through knowledge production. Our progress is not just about numbers and figures; it’s all about the positive and lasting impact we make on our students and the broader society.”
This achievement reflects the continued commitment and hard work of academics, as well as the meticulous administrative support and inclusive strategic planning and effective operational processes from the University’s Research Development and Support office. Key initiatives contributing to this success include the various institutes and research centres, faculty quality control committees, as well as increased scientometrics and research fellowships. UJ boasts 19 SARChI (South African Research Chairs Initiative Chairs), 3 UNESCO Chairs, 3 Collaborative Chairs, and 349 NRF-rated researchers.
Prof Mpedi dedicated the achievement to the UJ community, and especially its scholars, postdoctoral fellows, and students for relentlessly pursuing knowledge that transforms lives. He said the University’s research ecosystem thrives on a robust infrastructure that comprises more than 65 research centres. “With over 300 National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated scholars, UJ continues to drive high-impact research across disciplines, from environmental science to artificial intelligence, for societal impact and sustainability.”
Prof Mpedi added that the achievement is a fitting recognition of the university as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. “This milestone reaffirms the university’s leadership in driving innovation aligned with global challenges and leveraging from opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Click to view a visualisation of UJ’s growth in research publications output units relative to the rest of the South African Higher Education Institution (HEI) sector.
In May 2024, UJ submitted a total of 5,502 publications, authored in 2023 and worth 3,293 units, to the DHET for accreditation and subsidy. Journal articles, books, and chapters continue to comprise an increasing component of UJ’s research output, while conference proceedings make up a declining percentage of the overall submission. Over 97% of the journal article units submitted originate from publications in internationally indexed journals, with the majority, 74%, appearing in the prestigious Scopus international publication and citation database. What is particularly pleasing is that the per capita research publications output for UJ is also increasing.
Says Professor Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation: “This trend underscores the University’s growing research capacity and productivity. At a per capita value of 2.35 units per scholar, UJ retains the number one position nationally, scoring significantly above the sector average of 1.14, and that of the second most productive institution at 2.01. The increase in per capita output reflects our university’s commitment to fostering a culture of research excellence and innovation.”
See relevant links below:
Benchmarking UJ’s Publications Research Output:
Benchmarking UJ’s Publications Research per Capita Output:
