UDSM tops East Africa in graduate employability
DAR ES SALAAM: THE University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) has become the first Tanzanian university to enter the QS World University Rankings (QS WUR), while emerging as East Africa’s top university for graduate employability. UDSM was placed in the 1201–1400 band in the QS World University Rankings 2027, joining 1,504 universities worldwide after QS assessed more than 8,800 institutions.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, UDSM Deputy ViceChancellor for Research, Prof Nelson Boniface, described the achievement as a major milestone for the university and Tanzania’s higher education sector.
He said UDSM scored 85.3 points in the Employment Outcomes indicator, ranking 131st globally and reflecting the strong performance of its graduates in the labour market.
“The performance shows our graduates are highly valued by employers and continue to make significant contributions in government, the private sector, industry, international organisations and national development,” he said.
According to the QS assessment, UDSM ranked first in Tanzania, first in the East African Community and fourth in Africa for graduate employability.
Prof Boniface said the university also performed strongly in the International Research Network indicator, demonstrating its growing global collaboration in research and innovation.
He said UDSM’s inclusion in the QS rankings enhances not only the university’s international profile but also Tanzania’s standing in global higher education, where rankings increasingly influence research partnerships, investment, funding opportunities and student mobility.
“This achievement is not only for UDSM but for the nation. It places Tanzania on the global map of higher education and strengthens the country’s competitiveness in the knowledge economy,” he said.
Prof Boniface said the achievement supports the implementation of Tanzania Development Vision 2050, which seeks to build a knowledge-driven and innovation led economy anchored in science and technology.
ALSO READ: Algeria donates 9 tonnes of educational equipment to Zanzibar’s Ben Bella Sec School
He added that the ranking is expected to attract greater international investment in higher education and research while expanding academic partnerships.
The milestone also supports UDSM Vision 2061, which aims to position the university as a globally recognised centre of excellence in teaching, research, innovation and community service.
Despite the achievement, Prof Boniface said the QS assessment identified areas requiring further improvement, including increasing research citation impact, enhancing the university’s global academic reputation, attracting more international students and faculty and strengthening sustainability initiatives.
He said UDSM has already prepared a 2027–2030 improvement strategy focusing on research quality, international collaboration, innovation, digital transformation and stronger performance across key QS indicators.
Prof Boniface said the university views its debut in the QS rankings as the beginning of a broader drive to enhance its global competitiveness while supporting Tanzania’s ambition to become a regional hub for knowledge, research and technological innovation.
