UWI Research Leads the Group Scores 100% in research influence

Last month, the world’s most reputable higher education agency Times Higher Education (THE) announced its 2022 Latin America University Rankings. Marking its third consecutive year in the hemispheric rankings, The University of the West Indies (The UWI) succeeded in sustaining a leading position among the region’s best, and significantly scored 100% in the citations (research influence) performance indicator used by the prestigious ranking agency.

The UWI’s 100% score in citations/research influence is above even the number one ranked University in Latin America; a feat it also achieved in the 2021 Latin America University Rankings. This performance indicator is one of five areas assessed by Times Higher Education. It looks at a university’s role in spreading new knowledge and ideas. The research influence score captures the average number of times a university’s published work is cited by scholars globally. THE’s other performance indicators include teaching (the learning environment); research (volume, income and reputation); international outlook (staff, students and research); and industry income (knowledge transfer).
Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, commenting on the report stated, “These excellent results are the outcomes of the sustained, smart work of our academics and administrators, students and service providers.”

Also weighing in on the accomplishment, The UWI’s new Pro Vice-Chancellor, Board for Graduate Studies and Research, Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee congratulated the University’s outstanding researchers and their support staff. She noted, “The UWI's research continues to significantly impact not only academia but the policy processes in developing countries.”

The UWI’s high ranking and high demand for its research is a key advantage that the University aims to leverage in its 2022-2027 strategic cycle. The strategic plan, dubbed The Revenue Revolution, is focused on converting the University’s well-earned and honed international reputation into much- needed revenue, as well as enhancing the quality, quantity and impact of research to develop revenue generating industry-academic partnerships.

Since its 2018 debut in the Latin America University Rankings, The UWI is still the sole university from the English-speaking Caribbean among all the institutions ranked by Times Higher Education’s Latin America University Rankings. Its consolidated results in the rankings’ five performance areas have overall remained consistent since last year, although the 2022 edition saw an increased number of new entrants.

The UWI is ranked at position 21 in the 2022 Latin America University Rankings, which comprise 197 institutions in 13 countries, up from 177 institutions in 2021.