The recently released rankings for sub-Saharan Africa’s best universities in 2023 have elicited mixed reactions from local stakeholders, raising concerns about the methodology used.
The rankings, conducted by the UK-based Times Higher Education (THE), have positioned the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and Ardhi University among the top 10 institutions, securing the second and tenth positions, respectively.
The top 10 list predominantly features South African universities, with Uganda’s Makerere University and the University of Global Health Equity of Rwanda (UGHE) claiming the fifth and eighth spots.
Times Higher Education developed the sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings specifically to address the challenges faced by higher education institutions in the region.
The methodology was crafted in collaboration with university leaders from the region, as part of a project initiated by a consortium of African and international higher education organizations, along with Ghana’s Ashesi University.
Also, read; Botswana and De Beers Sign Interim Agreements to Extend Lucrative Diamond Partnership
However, the absence of well-known universities like the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), the University of Dodoma (UDOM), Mzumbe University, and private institutions like St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT) from the list has raised eyebrows.
Professor Raphael Chibunda, the Vice Chancellor of SUA, expressed reservations about the rankings, stating that the university does not participate due to the payment requirement, which he believes turns the process into a business transaction.
Educational experts and consultants have also voiced skepticism about the rankings, arguing that the selection process lacks clarity and genuineness.
Dr. Thomas Jabir, an educational consultant based in Dar es Salaam, labeled the rankings as a marketing strategy that aims to boost the global profile of participating institutions, rather than accurately reflecting quality.
On the other hand, Dr Eugenia Njovu, a former lecturer at Mzumbe University, believes that rankings can contribute to strengthening university quality by incentivizing institutions to meet the criteria for inclusion.
As the debate surrounding university rankings in sub-Saharan Africa continues, stakeholders emphasize the need for transparency and a comprehensive evaluation process to ensure that the rankings genuinely reflect the quality of higher education institutions in the region.
