Milestone as Scientists earn Tanzania plaudits

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is the second-best country in East Africa and ranks ninth among the top 10 countries in Africa for having the best scientists who have significantly advanced science, according to the AD Scientific Index 2023.

Globally, Tanzania is one of the top 100 countries with outstanding scientists, ranking 96; as a result, 10 scientists from the Ifakara Health Institute (Ihi) are to be commended for their excellent contribution in elevating the institute to the top spot among the country’s 55 universities and institutes.

The Ihi’s top 10 scientists are Dr Honorati Masanja, the institute’s chief executive director, whose 103 papers have received 6,691 citations. Other scientists with their publications and citation listed in brackets include Dr Sarah Moore (96 Publications - 5997 Citations).

The list also includes Dr Fredros Okumu (95 publications – 5240 citations), Dr Nicodem Govella (38 publications - 2890 citations), Dr Ally Olotu (36 publications - 3366 citations), Dr Eveline Geubbels (46 publications - 2051 citations).

Other scientists are Dr Dickson Wilson (27 publications - 1599 citations), Dr Samson Kiware (30 publications - 1160 citations), Mr Halfan Ngowo (29 publications - 944 citations) and Dr Dominic Mosha (22 publications - 885 citations).

According to the report, the ranking system was based on the number of meritorious scientists and various criteria were used to rank the countries.

The first one was based on the number of scientists in the top 2 percent list whereas the second criterion was determined by the number of scientists in the top 10 percent, top 20 percent, top 40 percent, top 60 percent, and top 80 percent list.

While the final criteria utilised were the number of scientists listed in the AD Scientific Index, and in the case of equalities after applying all three criteria, the world rank of the country’s meritorious scientist was employed.

Practically, the report analysed academic studies from 216 countries and 19525 universities/institutions, and 1,223,175 scientists by using numerous criteria to present results to be used for evaluation of productivity and efficiency by individuals and institutions.

For this purpose, in order to achieve a high rating, an academician must have a high number of articles published and have received a high number of citations as a large number of publications indicates that the researcher is productive.

Moreover, the AD Scientific Index 2023 discovered that a researcher with 10 publications that have got 400 citations is more successful than a researcher with more than 100 published papers that have received 400 citations.

Nonetheless, the index ranking the country’s top 10 scientists with their institutions in brackets, shows the productivity of the scientist in publishing scientific articles of value, these include; Prof Rudovick Kazwala (Sokoine University - Sua), followed by Prof Sayoki Mfinanga (National Institute for Medical Research – Nimr).

Others in the list are Dr Honorati Masanja (Ihi), Prof Stephen Mshana (Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences – CUHAS Bugando), Dr Sarah Moore (Ihi) and Prof Patrick Ndakidemi (Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology - NM-AIST).

Other scientists according to the study are Prof Karim Manji (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences – Muhas), Dr Fredros Okumu (Ihi), Dr Bruno Sunguya (Muhas), Prof Rachel Manongi (Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College – KCMUCo).

As a matter of fact, the index disclosed the status of Tanzania’s top 10 academic and research institutions based on the scientific characteristics of affiliated scientists.

The list, which according to their status is dominated by public institutions includes Ihi, Muhas, Sua, Nimr, NM-AIST, CUHAS Bugando, University of Dar es Salaam (Udsm), KCMUCo, Mzumbe University (Mu) and University of Dodoma (Udom).

Besides, within the African continent, the Tanzania-based academic and research institutions are rated as follows; whereas Ihi sits 60th among the best institutions in Africa, Muhas was positioned at 75th place.

Other Tanzanian institutions that seem to have an impact in the world of science, with their continental ranks in brackets include Sua (89), Nimr (106), NM-AIST (129), CUHAS Bugando (131), Udsm (162), KCMUCo (166), Mu (278) and Udom (434).

According to the international ranking institute, its ranking system is developed with a different methodology based on the principle of including only meritorious scientists.

In the case of equality within a university ranking, AD Scientific Index uses the highest rank of the scientist in the respective university as it is listed in the world ranking.

“Top University Ranking by AD Scientific Index will not only list the areas where a university is the best or has room for improvement, but also reflect the outcomes of scientific policies of the institutions,” the report reads in part.

It adds: “This report reveals the competency of institutions to attract prized scientists and the ability of institutions to encourage advances and retain scientists.”

The AD Scientific Index [Alper-Doger Scientific Index] as a system that provides evaluations of journals and universities is a ranking and analysis system based on the scientific performance and the added value of the scientific productivity of individual scientists.

Furthermore, it provides rankings of institutions based on the scientific characteristics of affiliated scientists.