GTEC warns universities against admitting more PhD students than they can support

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has cautioned universities against admitting more doctoral students than they have the capacity to supervise, warning that the practice could undermine the quality and credibility of PhD education in Ghana.

As reported by the Ghana News Agency (GNA), GTEC Director-General Professor Ahmed Abdulai Jinapor gave the warning at the graduation ceremony of the African University of Communication and Business (AUCB) in Accra on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

A total of 350 students graduated at the ceremony, comprising 206 undergraduates and 144 postgraduate students.

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Professor Jinapor said doctoral education was critical to developing future researchers, lecturers and policy thinkers, but stressed that universities must not allow the desire to increase enrolment to compromise academic standards.

He explained that the expansion of doctoral programmes must be supported by an adequate number of qualified supervisors, research facilities, library resources and funding to ensure effective supervision and quality research.

“Growth in numbers must never outpace capacity,” he said.

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The GTEC Director-General noted that doctoral education required years of rigorous study, original research and examination, adding that universities should not treat PhD programmes as commercial products.

He urged universities, particularly newly chartered institutions, to ensure that doctoral admissions reflected their actual capacity, emphasising that quality must take precedence over quantity in postgraduate education.

Professor Jinapor also called on universities to adapt their teaching and research to prepare graduates for an increasingly technology-driven economy.

He identified artificial intelligence (AI), automation, big data, digital platforms and cybersecurity as areas reshaping professional and economic activities.

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While acknowledging that online, blended and distance learning could expand access to tertiary education, he cautioned institutions against using digital delivery as a means of lowering academic standards.

He said online degrees must have the same value as qualifications obtained through on-campus learning, requiring accredited programmes, qualified faculty, reliable digital platforms, credible assessment systems and adequate student support.

The GTEC boss further encouraged graduates to embrace lifelong learning and develop the ability to work with emerging technologies while maintaining independent thinking, integrity and sound judgement.

“Do not compete with technology. Learn to work intelligently with technology,” he advised.

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Professor Jinapor disclosed that GTEC had intensified public education on recognised institutions and accredited learning centres to protect prospective students from enrolling in unaccredited programmes.

He said the Commission issued a public notice in July 2026 identifying 15 unaccredited learning centres and institutions whose institutional accreditation had expired.

An updated list of 110 unrecognised institutions was subsequently published in September 2026.

The warning forms part of efforts to promote quality assurance and help students make informed decisions when choosing tertiary institutions and academic programmes.