Unima explains poor ranking
University of Malawi (Unima) has blamed its poor ranking among top 100 universities in Africa on its constituent colleges’ uncoordinated information and communication technology (ICT) structures.
The university, ranked 99, is in the process of harmonising its ICT structures to increase international visibility to improve on ranking.
There have been concerns recently over the university’s poor ranking. The rankings depend on research volumes, credibility of journals, research infrastructure, international partnerships and visibility.
Speaking at a news conference in Mzuzu on Friday, Unima pro-vice-chancellor Professor Alfred Mtenje stressed that uncoordinated ICT structures were the reason behind Unima’s poor ranking.
He said each of its constituent college is linked separately to the international world which affects Unima’s visibility. He said most of the publications are published on constituent college’s websites and not on Unima’s.
Said Mtenje: “Institutions that rank universities hardly find publications on the Unima website; hence, the poor ranking. There a case where one of the ranking bodies mistook College of Medicine [CoM] for a university and rated it higher than Unima.”
He said the university, which is celebrating 50 years of existence in September this year, is harmonising these websites to improve on ranking.
Mtenje also admitted that the university is rocked by numerous challenges such as lack of adequate infrastructure and resources, which are affecting quality of education.
Giving an update on celebration preparations, Mtenje said they have so far raised K65 million of the estimated K200 million budget.
He asked alumni and the public to support and patronise various fundraising activities.
