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The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has proudly announced that 82 of its researchers have been listed among the world’s top 2% of scientists, according to the latest global rankings compiled by Stanford University in partnership with academic publisher Elsevier.
This prestigious list, published annually, highlights the most influential researchers worldwide, based on rigorous citation metrics from Elsevier’s Scopus database. It spans 22 major scientific fields and 174 sub-disciplines, covering nearly nine million researchers across the globe.
UJ notes that this significant recognition positions the institution as one of Africa’s most research-intensive universities. The 82 UJ scholars featured in the report represent all faculties — including engineering, health sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities — and contribute to critical global challenges such as climate change, healthcare innovation, sustainable development, and social justice.
UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, emphasized that this milestone underscores the university’s growing strength in research and innovation, particularly in its strategic use of artificial intelligence in academia.
“It is a matter of immense pride that 82 of our researchers have been acknowledged globally. This recognition reflects our academic excellence and commitment to addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals,” he stated. Professor Mpedi credited this achievement to UJ’s deliberate investment in attracting top-tier scholars, strengthening research infrastructure, and fostering a collaborative research culture.
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Supporting this sentiment, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, highlighted that the recognition reflects UJ’s global research impact.
“This is not only a proud moment but also a testament to our commitment to producing knowledge that drives meaningful societal change — both locally and internationally,” she said.
This achievement reaffirms UJ’s growing role as a leader in global knowledge production and its dedication to research excellence with real-world relevance.
