GTEC cautions universities against compromising quality in doctoral admissions

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a warning to universities regarding the admission of too many doctoral candidates in relation to their capacity. This practice, they say, risks undermining the quality and credibility of doctoral education in the country. GTEC Director-General, Professor Ahmed Abdulai Jinapor, emphasized this point during the graduation ceremony of the African University of Communication and Business in Accra, where 350 students, including 144 postgraduate students, received their degrees.

Jinapor stressed that doctoral education is vital for producing future researchers, lecturers, and policy thinkers, but cautioned against compromising academic standards in the pursuit of increased enrollment. He urged all universities to align doctoral admissions with their actual capacity and stressed that quality should be the defining factor in doctoral education, not quantity.

Jinapor also addressed the theme of the ceremony, highlighting the transformative role of technology in higher education, including the use of artificial intelligence, automation, big data, and digital platforms. He emphasized the need for universities to prepare graduates with relevant skills for a tech-driven world, while ensuring that online learning does not compromise academic standards.

GTEC is committed to maintaining quality assurance mechanisms in the face of these evolving educational trends. The commission has also taken steps to protect prospective students by publishing lists of unaccredited learning centers and institutions with expired institutional accreditation.