This is an interview I gave to the News on Sunday paper that appeared on 26th July 2020.
1. There is a controversy about the ranking of UoM. What do you have to say about it?
First of all, the ranking of UniRank is not based on academic components. It is a ranking of Universities based on their popularity, which is measured by the web traffic that passes through these websites. On the other hand, the media has wrongly reported that it is a ranking of RUFORUM. RUFORUM is an association of African Universities with respect to Agriculture. It has released a statement highlighting that in the ranking released by UniRank, 24 of its member Universities are listed in the Top 100.
Coming to the University of Mauritius, our web traffic varies throughout the year according to the different events that take place at the University. For instance, during our admission period, there is an increase in the traffic, while during the term time majority usage of the website is internal.
As an example, the University of Nairobi, ranked 7 on this UniRank, has about 84000 students enrolled, as compared to a student population of roughly 10000 for UoM. Another example is the University of Zimbabwe ranked 72 in the UniRank. University of Zimbabwe, has 20000 students. However, the University has listed its research budget to be 41M USD and it has about 800 academic staff. University of Namibia ranked 39 has about 30000 students, 3 times our current student population. On Webometrics ranking, which accounts for research outputs as well, University of Zimbabwe is ranked 40, University of Namibia is ranked 104 while UoM is 52.
So, what are we exactly talking about? What is the benchmark that we want to use? How reliable are those ranking in terms of a real assessment of quality of teaching, research and innovation of the institutions concerned?
We do not have an issue with the media reporting on this ranking, but our concern is that there is erroneous information that is being relayed by a few persons especially those within academia, with the unique motive to cause harm to the University.
2. Does this ranking has an impact on the image of the university?
No, it does not as long as it is being properly conveyed. However, the way this ranking has been portrayed in the media definitely impacts on the perception of the public on the University. We are not claiming that everything is perfect and that we are satisfied with the way things are at UoM. This is not the case, as we always want to continuously improve on all aspects of our operation from teaching and learning to research, consultancy and services to our students.
3. What the population should understand about this ranking?
The key element that we want to highlight is that this ranking does not in any way imply a decrease in quality of teaching and learning or in terms of research output. On the other hand, there are also other types of ranking, such as the one used by Webometrics, which also include inter-alia research output, citations and the research profiles of academics on Google Scholar. On that ranking we are 52 in Africa and 33 in Sub Saharan Africa.
The population has to understand that despite all what is being said, the University of Mauritius is still No1 in Mauritius according to both UniRank and Webometrics ranking alike. On the other hand, the population also has to understand, that due to our size in terms of the population in Mauritius, the student population, and academic staff numbers at the University, it is clear that it is not a level playing field when it comes to international ranking using metrics linked to web traffic for instance.
Furthermore, our degrees are highly valued abroad and are internationally recognized. People should not forget the University of Pretoria and University of Cape Town, are the top Universities in Africa and they have linkages with the University of Mauritius with respect to our medical degree programmes.
1. There is a controversy about the ranking of UoM. What do you have to say about it?
First of all, the ranking of UniRank is not based on academic components. It is a ranking of Universities based on their popularity, which is measured by the web traffic that passes through these websites. On the other hand, the media has wrongly reported that it is a ranking of RUFORUM. RUFORUM is an association of African Universities with respect to Agriculture. It has released a statement highlighting that in the ranking released by UniRank, 24 of its member Universities are listed in the Top 100.
Coming to the University of Mauritius, our web traffic varies throughout the year according to the different events that take place at the University. For instance, during our admission period, there is an increase in the traffic, while during the term time majority usage of the website is internal.
As an example, the University of Nairobi, ranked 7 on this UniRank, has about 84000 students enrolled, as compared to a student population of roughly 10000 for UoM. Another example is the University of Zimbabwe ranked 72 in the UniRank. University of Zimbabwe, has 20000 students. However, the University has listed its research budget to be 41M USD and it has about 800 academic staff. University of Namibia ranked 39 has about 30000 students, 3 times our current student population. On Webometrics ranking, which accounts for research outputs as well, University of Zimbabwe is ranked 40, University of Namibia is ranked 104 while UoM is 52.
So, what are we exactly talking about? What is the benchmark that we want to use? How reliable are those ranking in terms of a real assessment of quality of teaching, research and innovation of the institutions concerned?
We do not have an issue with the media reporting on this ranking, but our concern is that there is erroneous information that is being relayed by a few persons especially those within academia, with the unique motive to cause harm to the University.
2. Does this ranking has an impact on the image of the university?
No, it does not as long as it is being properly conveyed. However, the way this ranking has been portrayed in the media definitely impacts on the perception of the public on the University. We are not claiming that everything is perfect and that we are satisfied with the way things are at UoM. This is not the case, as we always want to continuously improve on all aspects of our operation from teaching and learning to research, consultancy and services to our students.
3. What the population should understand about this ranking?
The key element that we want to highlight is that this ranking does not in any way imply a decrease in quality of teaching and learning or in terms of research output. On the other hand, there are also other types of ranking, such as the one used by Webometrics, which also include inter-alia research output, citations and the research profiles of academics on Google Scholar. On that ranking we are 52 in Africa and 33 in Sub Saharan Africa.
The population has to understand that despite all what is being said, the University of Mauritius is still No1 in Mauritius according to both UniRank and Webometrics ranking alike. On the other hand, the population also has to understand, that due to our size in terms of the population in Mauritius, the student population, and academic staff numbers at the University, it is clear that it is not a level playing field when it comes to international ranking using metrics linked to web traffic for instance.
Furthermore, our degrees are highly valued abroad and are internationally recognized. People should not forget the University of Pretoria and University of Cape Town, are the top Universities in Africa and they have linkages with the University of Mauritius with respect to our medical degree programmes.
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