Co-founder and President of Laweh University College, Prof. Mrs. Goski Alabi, has dismissed concerns that granting charters to private universities will lower the quality of tertiary education.
“It is common knowledge that moonlighting or adjunct teaching is a phenomenon in tertiary education, with many public university lecturers also engaged by private institutions,” she explained, dismissing claims of inferior faculty in private universities.
Over the past few years, the number of private higher education institutions has sharply increased – reaching over 100 by the end of last August, according to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). This has led to concerns over the quality of tuition and infrastructure.
However, Prof. Mrs. Alabi – a lecturer at the University of Professional Studies-Accra, speaking at the Conference on Private Universities and Tertiary Education in Ghana organised by West Africa International Press Limited in Accra – asserted that many lecturers at private universities are the same highly qualified academics who also teach at public institutions.
Prof. Mrs. Alabi also stressed that no private university would risk employing unqualified lecturers under supervision of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the regulatory body.
She urged private universities to effectively enhance their image to attract more students. She particularly highlighted the importance of presenting a strong and appealing profile to increase enrolment and boost the reputation of private institutions.
She also appealed for GTEC to differentiate the required ratios for full-time and part-time staff relative to public and private universities. She further called for equitable resource distribution to all tertiary students, regardless of their institution.
Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Acting Director-General, GTEC, in a speech read on his behalf underscored the need for a multifaceted approach to resolving the challenges of private universities.
He advocated strategic investment, supportive regulations and equitable access to foster high-quality tertiary education in the country.
At the same event, Prof. Mrs. Alabi was presented with a plaque by West Africa International Press Limited in recognition of her pioneering role in Ghana’s private tertiary education.
Laweh University College also received a certificate for its open university model, which has expanded opportunities for many capable individuals to pursue higher education.
