THE QS ranking placed five Japanese universities on the top 100 university list: University of Tokyo (22), Kyoto University (33), Tokyo Institute of Technology (58), Osaka University (71) and Tohoku University (82). Japanese universities also stand out among Asian universities: University of Tokyo ranked 8th in the ranking in 2019.
Government attracting international students.
In May 2012, the Japanese government initiative Global 30 launched, which aims to increase the number of international students in the country from 140,000 to 300,000. Thanks to this, universities offer simplified entry procedures, training programs conducted in English and assistance in finding work for foreigners. Some universities even allow students from other countries to start their studies in September, instead of April, which felt off to Europeans.
Financial assistance.
In Japan, there are a large number of scholarship programs created specifically for international students. The government, universities, municipalities of prefectures, commercial and non-profit organizations are ready to provide students with financial support.
Curious Disadvantages of Japanese universities: Huge workloads.
Strong education requires hard work and often results in psychological pressure and nervous breakdowns for students. The problem is so severe and widespread that the Ministry of Health got involved.
The culture of learning.
In Japan, students spend 240 days a year studying, that is almost 60 days more than in Europe. Children are under constant pressure not only from their parents but the education system itself: from the very beginning, they are expected to show diligence and require almost a non-stop cramming. It is no coincidence that Juku (which literally translates as cram school) where students can spend up to 12 hours a week are very popular here.
High competition.
According to the latest report of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT), only 53% of all applicants in 2019 were accepted to universities.
Interesting facts about Japanese Universities: University of Tokyo ranked second in the French ranking Mines ParisTech: Professional Ranking of World Universities, which estimated the number of graduates from various universities holding CEO positions in major Fortune Global 500 companies[.
In 1969, an Earthquake Prediction Coordinating Committee was created in Japan. It includes the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Kyushu University, Nagoya University, Tohoku University, Hokkaido University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, University of Tsukuba, Kagoshima
University and Tottori University.
Kyoto University has the largest number of Nobel laureates among all Asian universities — nineteen. In addition, two Fields Prize medalists and a Gauss Prize winner are also affiliated with it.
Tohoku University pays great attention to practical and useful research, and therefore holds the largest number of registered patents (324) among Japanese universities.
Note the 10 trillion-yen (about $74 billion) fund set up by the Japanese government to support universities…
USA, India and China are the giants of quantity and quality. The UNESCO WHED data ranks the United States (4,000+), India (3,500+), and China (3,100+) as the top three countries with the highest number of recognised universities worldwide.
List of Top 10 Countries with the Most Universities in the World.
The UNESCO WHED data ranks the United States (4,000+), India (3,500+), and China (3,100+) as the top three countries with the highest number of recognized universities worldwide. Each country’s higher education system reflects unique strengths that range from global research excellence to rapid expansion and strategic investment in tertiary education. Other notable nations in the top 10 include Brazil, Japan, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia, Germany, and France, all contributing significantly to global academia.
Rank
Country Estimated Number of Universities
1 United States 4,000+
2 India 3,500+
3 China 3,100+
4 Brazil 1,200+
5 Japan 1,100+
6 Russia 1,000+
7 Mexico 900+
8 Indonesia 800+
9 Germany 700+
10 France 600+
Source: World Higher Education Database.
Universities in South Korea:
South Korea with a population of 51.7 million has over 370 official higher education providers.
Seoul National University:
Seoul National University founded in 1946 as South Korea’s first national university, Seoul National University is one of the three prestigious SKY universities and provides research-led liberal education to around 28,378 students from undergraduate to PhD level. According to data collected by the Korean Educational Development Institute, Seoul National University spends more on its students per capita than any other South Korean university with more than 10,000 students.
The school has two campuses in the city of Seoul – one in Gwanak on the southern side of the city and one within the city center in the district of Jongno, which is also the largest campus in the capital. Seoul National University also has an impressive portfolio of international partnerships, with as many as 289 universities in 58 countries collaborating with the school.
KAIST – Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology
Situated in Daejeon, KAIST is a public research university with a current student population of just over 10,000, KAIST was established as the nation’s first research-led science and engineering institution. The majority of programs at KAIST are within STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.
Universities in Africa:
Which country has the highest number of universities in Africa? Nigeria leads Africa in the number of universities, boasting 300 higher institutions. Following closely, Tunisia with a population of 12.3 million ranks second with 236 universities, while Morocco with a population of 38.3 million holds third place with 154 tertiary institions.
Ranking in Nigeria Times Higher Education World’s University Ranking
1. Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State
2. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State
3. Landmark University, Kwara State
4. University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State
5. University of Lagos, Lagos State
6. Bayero University, Kano State
7. Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State
8. Federal University of Technology, Minna
9. University of Benin
10. University of Ilorin
12. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
13. Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
14. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State
15. Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State
16. Federal University, Oye- Ekiti, Ekiti State
17. Ladoke Akintila University of Technology, Oyo State
18. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state
19. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State
20. University of Port Harcourt
21. Usmanu Dan Fodiyo, Sokoto…
The best universities in Africa span 19 countries, from Uganda in the east to Nigeria in the west, Morocco in the north to South Africa at the southernmost tip of the continent, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025.
Overall, Egypt and Algeria are the two best represented African countries in the ranking, with 35 and 26 universities each. While half of the top 10 is filled by universities in South Africa, 14 South African universities are represented in the full ranking.
Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa all have universities in the top 1000 of the global ranking. The ranking rates university performance using 18 indicators measuring teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry.
Top 5 universities in Africa 2025
1. University of Cape Town, South Africa. The University of Cape Town’s campus is located at the foot of Table Mountain, offering spectacular views of Devil’s Peak and across the city.
Some 18 per cent of the student body are international. The university was founded in 1829, making it the oldest university in the country and the second oldest in Africa, behind the University of Sierra Leone, which was established two years earlier.
2. Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Stellenbosch University is located in South Africa’s Western Cape, 50km from Cape Town. The university town maintains Dutch colonial architecture, and its streets host an array of cafés, boutiques and galleries.
Teaching at the university is split over four campuses, with the main one in Stellenbosch and the others in the nearby area.
Students can complete assignments and exams in both English and Afrikaans, even though the main language of instruction is Afrikaans. For postgraduate students, the language in classes is determined by the demographic of the class, and is usually English.
There are about 150 academic departments within 10 faculties, and many other research centres.
In addition to an extensive library system, the university has a conservatoire with two concert halls, home of the Stellenbosch University Choir – the oldest South African choir.
3. University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. The University of the Witwatersrand – or Wits University, as it is commonly known – is a public research university based in Johannesburg.
It was founded as a school of mining; the region is the most abundant with gold of any location worldwide. The university grew significantly in the late 20th century, and the campus has been expanding with many new buildings. That time was also a period of protest against apartheid policies, and the university campus was divided. Nonetheless, many prominent black leaders graduated from the university.
Academic research and teaching are spread across five faculties: commerce, law and management; engineering and the built environment; health sciences; science; and humanities. Through the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, the medical school trains more specialists than any other university in southern Africa. The Disability Rights Unit is a flagship centre ensuring that higher education is accessible to disabled students, caregivers and others in need of special provisions.
4. Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco. Established in 2016, Mohamed VI Polytechnic University is a not-for-profit, research focused private university located in the city of Benguerir, Morocco. The university is part of the Green City project launched by King Mohamed VI in 2009, an urban development scheme aimed at creating a model city promoting sustainability, research and education for the country. Academically, the university is divided into five clusters: science and technology, humanities, economics and social sciences, business and management, and medical and paramedical. Each cluster is comprised of several schools, centres and institutes, offering a wide variety of courses. These can be at graduate, postgraduate and doctorate level.
5. University of Johannesburg, South Africa. The University of Johannesburg (UJ), situated in South Africa, is renowned for its dedication to diversity and forward-thinking approach. It excels in various academic fields, emphasises critical thinking and collaboration, and offers a wide range of programmes across eight faculties. As a research institution, UJ addresses various challenges, from early childhood development to cutting-edge technologies. It fosters personal and academic growth through sports, arts and culture.
6. Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology – Egypt
This is second part of an excerpt from a robust lecture Titled: “Do we need more or better tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria?” at the Ekiti State University 2025 Registry Annual Lecture on October 16.
To be continued…
- Oloja is former editor of The Guardian newspaper and his column, Inside Stuff, runs on the back page of the newspaper on Sunday. The column appears on News Point Nigeria newspaper on Monday.