Abstract
This article examines the developments and challenges of higher education in developing countries. Using a thorough qualitative interview of deans, directors and heads of Department of the University of Ghana, this paper draws on their analysis to discover unexplored issues that affect the universities in developing countries. The study identifies weakness in institutional policies and infrastructure deficiency of higher education in Ghana as key challenging factors. Findings also show congestion of students in academic facilities of learning, teaching overloads and lack of research facilities as key factors hampering academic development in higher education. Therefore, the work advocates for the development of policies that take into account the institutional realities in the field of higher education. Governmental policies aimed at enhancing higher education in developing economies must first improve the existing institutional set up for their chance of success.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abugre, J. B. (2014). The impact of institutional environment and administrative forces on higher education in Ghana. The 15th Annual International Academy of African Business & Development Conference (Vol. 15, pp. 78–86). Cave Hill: University of West Indies.
Adeyemi, J. K. (2000). Academic manpower needs of Nigerian universities. Higher Education Review, 32(2), 36–44.
Altbach, P. G., & Knight, J. (2007). The internationalization of higher education: motivations and realities. Journal of International Education, 11(3/4), 290–305.
Asgedom, A., & Hagos, T. (2013). The role of steering policies and governance reform in the management of reform in higher education of Ethiopia: the case of autonomy and accountability in Addis Ababa University. Paris: IIEP/UNESCO (mimeo).
Beck, T., Levine, R., & Loayza, N. (2000). Finance and the sources of growth. Journal of Financial Economics, 58, 261–300.
Bloom, D., Canning, D., & Chan, K. (2006a). Higher education and development in Africa. Human development sector. Africa Region: Harvard University.
Bloom, D. E., Hartley, M., & Rosovsky, H. (2006b). Beyond private gain: the public benefits of higher education: In J. J. F.Forest & P. G. Altbach (eds). International Handbook of Higher Education.
Budu, J. M., & Quashigah, P. E. K. (2013). The role of steering policies and governance reform in the management of reform in higher education of Ghana: the case of the University of Ghana. Paris: IIEP/UNESCO (mimeo).
Chege, M. (2015). Re-inventing Kenya’s university: from a “graduate-mill” to a development-oriented paradigm. International Journal of Educational Development, 44, 21–27.
Chong, A., & Calderon, C. (2000). Empirical tests on the causality and feedback between institutional measures and economic growth. Economics and Politics, 12, 69–81.
Clark, B. (1998). Entrepreneurial universities: organisational pathways of transition. Paris: International Association of Universities.
Coleman, J., & Court, D. (1993). University development in the third world: the Rockfeller foundation experience. Oxford: Pergamon.
Descombe, M. (2003). The good research guide. Philadelphia: Open University Press.
Fielden, J. (2008). Global trends in university governance. Education working paper series no.9. Washington D C: World Bank.
Ghauri, P., & Gronhaug, K. (2005). Research methods in business studies: a practical guide. Harlow: Prentice hall.
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory. Chicago: Aldine.
Griffiths, A. B., & Zammuto, R. F. (2005). Institutional governance systems and variations in national competitive advantage: an integrative framework. The Academy of Management Review, 30(4), 823–842.
Hartnett, T. (2000). Financial trends and expenditure patterns in Nigerian federal: an update. Unpublished report. Washington D. C.: The World Bank. 85 pages.
Ishengoma, J. (2004). Cost sharing in higher education in Tanzania: fact or friction. Journal of Higher Education in Africa, 2(2), 101–133.
Kapur, D., & Crowley, M. (2008). Beyond the ABCs: higher education and developing countries. Working paper number 139, Center for Global Development.
Kinyanjui, K. (1994). African education: dilemmas, challenges and opportunities. In U. Himmelstrand, K. Kinyanjui, & E. Mburugu (Eds.), African perspectives on development. New York: St. Martin’s Press.
Levy, D. C. (2006). The unanticipated explosion: private higher education’s global surge. Comparative Education Review, 50(2), 218–240.
Mabizela, M. (2002). The evolution of private higher education in South Africa. Perspectives in Education, 20(4), 41–52.
Mamdani, M. (1993). University crisis and reform: a reflection on the African experience. Review of African Political Economy, 20(58), 7–19.
Manuh, T., Sulley, S. & Budu, J. (2007). Challenge and transformation in Ghana’s public universities: a study of experiences, lessons and opportunities. James Curry (Oxford) & Woeli publishing service (Accra).
Mfodwo Report (2005). Report of the committee on allegations of malpractices in the conduct of the first semester examinations, 2004/2005. University of Ghana.
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). An expanded resource: qualitative data analysis (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Morley, L., Leach, F., & Lugg, R. (2009). Democratising higher education in Ghana and Tanzania: opportunity structures and social inequities. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(1), 56–64.
Mwiria, K. (1992). University governance: problems and perspectives in Anglophone Africa. AFTED technical note no.3. Washington D C: World Bank.
Ngwana, T. A. (2001). The implementation of the 1993 Higher Education Reforms in Cameroon: issues and promises. Available at http://www.international.ac.uk/resources/
Ninomiya, A., Knight, J., & Watanabe, A. (2009). The past, present, and future of internationalisation in Japan. Journal of Studies in International Education, 13(2), 117–124.
Nwankwo, S. (2012). Renascent Africa: rescoping the landscape of international business. Thunderbird International Business Review, 54(4), 405–409.
OECD. (2000). Knowledge management in the learning society: education and skills. Paris: OECD.
Oketch, M. O. (2003). Market model of financing higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa: examples from Kenya. Higher Education Policy, 16(3), 313–332.
Olayinka, I., & Adedeji, S. (2013). Higher education and governance reforms in Nigeria: university autonomy. Paris: IIEP/UNESCO (mimeo).
Otieno, W. (2003). Erosion of capacities of higher education in developing countries: Kenya case study. Paris: IIEP/UNESCO (mimeo).
Ramamurti, R. (2004). Developing countries and MNEs: extending and enriching the research agenda. Journal of International Business Studies, 35(4), 277–283.
Saint, W. (1992). Universities in Africa: strategies for stabilization and revitalization. World Bank: Washington D C.
Saint, W. (2004). Higher education in Ethiopia: the vision and its challenges. JHEA/RESA, 2(3), 83–113.
Sanyal, B. C. (1995). Innovations in university management. Paris: IIEP-UNESCO.
Sawyerr, A. (2004). Challenges facing African universities: selected issues. African Studies Review, 47(1), 1–47.
Sehoole, C., & Phatlane, R. S. (2013). Governance reforms in higher education in South Africa: higher education steering mechanisms. Paris: IIEP/UNESCO (mimeo).
Sir John Daniels Report. (2007). Report of the visitation panel to the University of Ghana. University of Ghana.
Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of qualitative research: techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory(2ndedn). Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Tecce, D., Pisano, A., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509–533.
Teferra, D. (1997). Brain drain of African scholars and the role of studying in the United States. International Higher Education, 7, 4–6.
Teferra, D., & Altbach, P. G. (2004). African higher education: challenges for the 21st century. Higher Education, 47(1), 21–50.
UIS/OECD. (2003). Financing education-investment and returns: analysis of the world education indicators (2002nd ed.). Paris: UNESCO/OECD.
Varghese, N. V. (2006). Growth and expansion of private higher education in Africa (ed.). Paris: IIEP/UNESCO.
Varghese, N.V. (2013). Governance reforms in higher education: a study of selected countries in Africa, Policy Forum on governance reforms in higher education in Africa. Nairobi Safari Lodge, Kenya, 16 May 2013 IIEP/SEM334/Theme paper/UNESCO.
Waema, T. M., & Mbithi, A. (2013). The role of steering policies and governance reform in the management of higher education: the case of performance contracting in University of Nairobi, Kenya. Paris: IIEP/UNESCO (mimeo).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Abugre, J.B. Institutional governance and management systems in Sub-Saharan Africa higher education: developments and challenges in a Ghanaian Research University. High Educ 75, 323–339 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-017-0141-1
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-017-0141-1