Africa Launches Homegrown University Ranking System and Graduates 1,403 Professionals
Africa has achieved a major breakthrough in higher education assessment with the introduction of the continent's first indigenous African University Ranking System (AURS) and the graduation of 1,403 certified ranking professionals. This landmark event, orchestrated by the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education (VICBHE), signifies a pivotal step toward reshaping how African universities are evaluated and positioned on the global stage.
Inauguration of the Association of Ranking Professionals
The ceremony also featured the formal establishment of the Association of Ranking Professionals (ARP), a new organization designed to serve as the professional foundation for ranking practitioners throughout Africa. The ARP aims to set rigorous standards, enhance capacity-building efforts, and promote evidence-based approaches to improving university quality across the continent.
Training and Global Reach
VICBHE, which originated in 2001 as the Virtual Institute for Higher Education Pedagogy (VIHEP) under the National Universities Commission (NUC), has been instrumental in advancing excellence in higher education under the guidance of Prof Peter Okebukola. Its flagship program, 'Mastering university rankings for global visibility', has successfully trained professionals from 11 African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Cameroon, Senegal, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Sierra Leone.
Addressing Global Ranking Shortcomings
The launch of AURS is a direct response to longstanding concerns that existing global ranking frameworks, predominantly developed for well-resourced institutions in the global north, often fail to accurately capture African contexts or acknowledge the societal impact of universities. This new system is aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and incorporates insights from the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee (NURAC), ensuring it reflects local realities and priorities.
Leadership and Recognition
During the event, Prof Peter Okebukola urged the newly certified professionals to return to their institutions as advocates for quality data, global competitiveness, and evidence-based decision-making. Keynote speaker Prof. Ellen Hazelkorn, a globally recognized expert in university rankings, emphasized the critical need for African universities to take ownership of their ranking methodologies to better showcase their unique contributions.
Additionally, eleven awards were presented to outstanding participants across various professional categories, honoring excellence in areas such as overall performance, leadership, and contributions to the field of university rankings. The ARP was officially inaugurated with Prof Umar Bashir, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Kano, serving as its inaugural President.
Future Implications
The AURS is anticipated to serve as a complementary tool to global rankings, providing a more accurate reflection of African academic performance and acting as a strategic instrument for institutional development. This initiative marks a significant stride toward empowering African higher education systems to define their own standards and enhance their visibility and impact worldwide.
