2014 WEB RANKING:  LANDMARK UNIVERSITY RIDES HIGH, SPEEDS UP THE LADDER.

In an unparalleled dexterity, ever since its inception in 2011, Landmark University displays prominent monumental agility and wherewithal to become a force to be reckoned with among the comity of high flying Universities across the globe.  Its  relentless fervency for uninterrupted academic calendar  from the first matriculation to maiden convocation which yielded prompt release of ‘Pathfinders’, an army of vivacious young graduates blazing with moral fibre to tackle the societal challenges, attests to the avowed speed and skills with which the University  operates.

The sparkling activities with concomitant achievements of Landmark University could not have gone unnoticed by the ever vigilant, objective and up-to-date  Webometrics. The Webometrics is an organisation that ranks Universities based on the size, content publications, global performance and visibility of their websites.  Ever since 2004 when it came on board to promote academic web presence and open access initiatives for increasing the transfer of scientific and cultural knowledge generated by the Universities to the society, the Webometrics has bestridden the world in influence.  It has become the most powerful and successful tools whose verdict holds sway on account of its relevance to scholastic assessment and academic strategies of Universities.

A barely four-year old Landmark University made stupendous inroads into the prestigious category of the top best 10 Universities in Nigeria. In fact, Landmark  University is ranked 8^th position among the 132 Universities in Nigeria (http:// www.webometrics.info/en/Africa/Nigeriawww.webometrics.info/en/Africa/Nigeria; www.top Universities in Nigeria - 2014 University Ranking).  It is also breath-taking to note that Landmark University ranks 2nd among Private Universities in Nigeria, trailing behind its sister institution, Covenant University, Ota, both of which are the only Private Universities in the enviable group of the top best 10 Universities in the latest July edition of 2014 Universities Web Ranking.

The comparative analysis of this result with the January edition gives credence to the unremitting resolution of the University Management at speeding up efforts to outrun the older Universities in the race of global academic relevance and impact.  As the results reveal, Landmark University gallantly moved from 15^th position to the present 8^th, thereby attaining a record breaking feat, as the youngest to have ascended into the prestigious category of the top best 10 Universities in Nigeria as shown in the table below.

2014 WEB RANKING: THE TOP BEST TEN UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA

S/N	UNIVERSITY	LOCATION	DATE FOUNDED/ AGE	PREVIOUS POSITION JANUARY EDITION	PRESENT POSITION JULY EDITION
1	Obafemi Awolowo University	Ile Ife	(1962) 52	1	1
2	Covenant University	Ota	(2002) 12	10	2
3	University of Ibadan	Ibadan	(1948) 66	5	3
4	University of Lagos	Lagos	(1962) 52	2	4
5	University of Ilorin	Ilorin	(1975) 39	3	5
6	Ahmadu Bello University	Zaria	(1962) 26	7	6
7	University of Agriculture Abeokuta	Abeokuta	(1988) 26	9	7
8	Landmark University	Omu-Aran	(2011) 3	15	8
9	Federal University of Technology	Akure	(1981) 23	4	9
10	University of Nigeria	Nsukka	(1955) 59	6	10

Landmark University ascended the ladder 7 steps within the year.

The foregoing outstanding feat could have become a mirage, but for the unfailing help of God Almighty and the tenacious commitment of the University’s stakeholders. It is remarkable that everybody’s input in the University community pays off; from the Board of Regents, under the Chairmanship of Dr. David Oyedepo, which spares no expense to meet the need of the University to the management, faculty and staff who leave no stone unturned to ensure the University toes excellently the line of the visionary mandate. Essentially, Landmark University’s revolutionary ardour for  raising a generation of  solution providers through a qualitative education is expressive in its proprietors’ huge and continuous investment in classic facility development, acquisition  of  state of art engineering equipment, vast teaching and research farms, provision of modern teaching aids, IT infrastructure in classrooms, uninterrupted power, and water supply and internet services, financial support to faculty on national and international conferences  and scholarship for students of  Agriculture, to mention but a few.

This favourable disposition is largely attributed to easy fulfillment of the Web Ranking criteria for epic grade by the University whose faculty enjoys congenial platform to explore, excel and earn the University reputation. The University does not drop out of reckoning because of its sound quality and scope of research conducted by academics. Hence, their research findings are published in reputable journals. Also, impressive faculty pedigree, faculty-student ratio, staff commitment, adequate funding, prompt academic calendar are contributory to its excellent performance. This is no less hallmark of synergic diligence and harbinger of greatness.

Having carved out a square niche for itself in academic, infrastructural, proprietorial and managerial reputations, Landmark University offers a roomy opportunity for prospective students to experience academic and moral training with consummate ease. Its classic infrastructural facilities are as engaging as stable power and water supply. Also inviting is the accessibility to modern library facilities, dedicated faculty and amiable staff. Decent classrooms and cozy hostels in a posh campus nestled in Omu-Aran beckon on prospective world changers to a comfortable platform for transformation. The performance of 2014 Graduating Students (where 39 made first class, 186 second class upper, 152 second class lower and 9 third class) is illuminating to the opportunities at the University.

In this era when sound academic and moral knowledge drives innovation and development, it is incumbent on all well-meaning parents/guardians to send their children/wards to Landmark University which is situated in an exceptionally serene environment where students are sure to get an all-round education with an academic edge. No doubt, the wise will strike while the iron is hot. The time is now and the right place is Landmark University, endowed with lush green vegetation and refreshing breeze all day, conducive for individual to blossom. It is high time brilliant University candidates got up to catch up with the University which evidently got off to a flying start.

Written by Joseph Olajide, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria.