Mount Kenya University ranked among top 5 universities in Kenya

Mount Kenya University (MKU) has been ranked among the top 5 universities in Kenya in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, the institutions  first-ever appearance on this global list

Out of 2,526 universities worldwide, MKU stood out for making real impact in areas that matter most: Good health and well-being, quality education, reduced inequalities and  global partnerships.

“This recognition affirms our mission to be a center of excellence in education, research, and community service,” said MKU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi. 

“The achievement reflects how we continue to support students and communities through donations, free medical camps, classroom construction, research, and international programmes such as Erasmus+,” he added.  

The announcement, made on 18th June 2025, revealed that 2,526 universities from 130 countries and territories were evaluated for their progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The Impact Rankings recognize institutions that are making meaningful contributions to sustainable development, environmental responsibility, and social impact on a global scale. 

Several other Kenyan universities are also featured in the rankings, including Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Moi University, Egerton University, Strathmore University, and Maseno University. 

Rongo University is ranked 25th in the Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.

The rankings assess universities' contributions to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching. MKU is the United Nation’s Academic Impact hub chair for SDG for Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. 

Prof. Jaganyi said the ranking reflects MKU’s commitment to holistic development for its students and the wider community. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the university supports sustainability activities such as donations to needy causes, construction of classrooms in underserved areas, community-based research to address local challenges as well as free medical camps and public health outreach programmes. 

“MKU remains steadfast in its mission to be a center of excellence in education, research, and community service. This recognition affirms our commitment to contributing meaningfully to global sustainable development and empowering communities through knowledge,” a jubilant Prof. Jaganyi added. 

In terms of global partnerships, MKU has established strong linkages with both local and international institutions. These partnerships support joint efforts in teaching, research, innovation, mentorship, and cultural exchange. Notably, MKU recently participated in the Erasmus+ Exchange Programme with the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava (UCM), where 15 representatives (8 faculty members and 7 postgraduate students) took part in a knowledge and cultural exchange visit.

The 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings saw a significant increase in global participation, with over 2,500 universities submitting data for assessment against the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This represents an 18 per cent rise compared to 2024, with notable growth from universities in Africa and Asia. The rankings evaluate universities based on their contributions to the SDGs, which aim to create a better and more sustainable world by 2030.

The University of Oxford of United Kingdom,  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (United States),  Harvard University (United States) and Princeton University (United States) led the global overall rankings in that order. However, universities in East and South-east Asia are improving rapidly when it comes to their contributions towards sustainable development, according to the latest Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. 

A South Korean and an Indonesian university now make the top 10 of the overall ranking, which assesses universities’ progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while 10 out of the 17 individual SDG rankings are now led by an Asian university, up from five last year.

On the University sustainability rankings 2025,  Western Sydney University in Australia is number one overall for fourth consecutive year.  Indonesia’s Universitas Airlangga, in joint ninth place, is most sustainable institution from an emerging economy.  Asian universities claim more than half of all places in the rankings, and 10 out of the 17 individual SDG rankings are now led by an Asian university

Eight countries/territories make their debut in the sustainability rankings this year: Botswana, Burkina Faso, El Salvador, Estonia, Maldives, Namibia, Papua New Guinea and Senegal.