African universities score poorly in world rankings

Rankings of African universities have, in recent times, generated debate among Ghanaians.

According to the current global university ranking, no African university is among the world's best 300 universities.

The University of Ghana is ranked 1,983rd in the global ranking whiles the University of Cape Town, South Africa, which is the number one university in Africa, is ranked 303rd.

At the official opening of the International Association of Universities (IAU) 2017 Conference at the University of Ghana, Legon in Accra on Thursday which is on the theme: "Leadership for a changing public-private higher education landscape", Minister of State in-Charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah, has described as unfair the perception of the western countries that the academic standards of higher education in Africa are low.

He said this suspicion weakened the competitiveness of Africa’s higher educational institutions internally and externally.

"Let such policies ensure maximum participation by host communities through the application of differential rates of enrolment and registration," he said.

He added that this year’s IAU conference, the first on African soil, "triggers dialogues and actions that will progressively narrow the intellectual gap between Africa and the rest of the world."

He has challenged African universities to put their act together and work harder to advertise themselves in the global village.

"Africa has a huge potential in higher education which has been exploited only superficially," he noted.

He said the perception of low academic standards in Africa slowed down academic migration from South to North, and put African scholars and students under unnecessary suspicion when credentials were presented elsewhere.

About IAU

Started in 1950, the IAU serves as a voice for higher education and seeks to promote and advance higher education globally.

It is the UNESCO-based worldwide association of higher education institutions. It brings together institutions and organisations from some 120 countries for reflection and action on common concerns and collaborates with various international, regional and national bodies active in higher education.