Governance in Higher Education: A Comparative Study on Ghana and China

Abstract

Governance in higher education is one key concern for policy makers on restructuring the higher educational systems all over the world. The concepts of higher education governance often bring conflict between institutions and politicians on issues concerning institutional management. This study examined the concepts of higher education governance based on a comparative study of china and Ghana. The study gave special attention to various reforms on governance, higher education autonomy, funding, higher education law and structure of decision making in both countries. This paper argued that, if government limits its influence on higher education governance and higher education institutions are given a significant level of autonomy to make decision on academic program development and appointment of key positions, it will enable the higher education leaders use their expertise to develop high quality higher education. However, it’s worth mentioning that, this paper does not argue for governmental absence on higher education governance and management; government will continue with policy formulation on higher education. The comparative study is adopted because, china’s higher education has attracted many students from developing countries in Africa and Asia and Ghana as an African country has over ten thousand students pursuing programs at all levels. Higher institutions in Ghana in the past decade have enjoyed good academic relationship with Chinese institutions. Ghana as a middle-income country in the quest to build high quality higher education can learn from the Chinese system. This study will also contribute to literatures in educational governance. Keywords: higher education, governance, autonomy, reforms