UP leader in arts and humanities

The University of Pretoria (UP) is ranked in the top 300 globally for arts and humanities, according to the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, published yesterday.

UP was placed in the 251-300 bracket worldwide for arts and humanities subjects, and in the 601-800 bracket for all subjects.

University spokesperson Candice Jooste said this is the first time UP has been included in the survey. She said in compiling this survey, the judges assess the quality of teaching, research, research influence (measured by citations), international outlook and industry income for arts and humanities subjects specifically.

Each indicator may be weighted differently for each subject.

“We’re pleased and proud that UP has been recognised in this category. Arts and humanities subjects are valuable precisely because they help us to examine and understand the human condition on many levels,” said vice-principal for institutional planning Professor Anton Stroh.

Dean of humanities Professor Vasu Reddy said: “This achievement recognises the powerful and potent contribution made by staff, students and alumni in both creative and scholarly terms to living in one of the most diverse and exciting societies in the world.

“Even better when this happens in the capital city within a world-class university where we also delve into our past by looking into our future.”

Despite current economic challenges, UP has maintained vibrant archaeology, art, music, drama, language, history and philosophy departments. Students can choose to study languages and literatures ranging from ancient Greek to contemporary Sepedi and Zulu.

The subjects considered in the ranking are art, performing arts and design, languages, literature and linguistics, history, philosophy, theology, architecture and archaeology.