Our Universities, Their Priorities? A Case for Afrocentric Ranking of Universities in East Africa

Abstract

Are university rankings neocolonial structures pressurizing universities in East Africa to pursue priorities that are irrelevant to their deserving social service mandate? Referencing relevant trends and literature, we demonstrate that available evidence discredits the widely held view that this is the case. That although perceptions of victimhood encourage skepticism against them, rankings are neither against universities here nor without benefits. That despite their unarguable shortfalls, rankings have enormous power and are directing the development of university education worldwide. Universities here cannot wish this power away. However, the universities could ensure that they are validly ranked, to leverage the power of rankings to advance their missions. However, they have not done this because they suffer from various weaknesses. We argue that these weaknesses, rather than rankings that mirror them, are the problem. Therefore, we urge attention to the weaknesses and development of Afrocentric rankings.