The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) has responded to media reports alleging that management is frustrating PhD students at the School of Public Service and Governance (SPSG) and preventing them from graduating.
In a press statement copied to Business Week, GIMPA described the reports as "misleading, unfair, and lacking full context."
GIMPA explained that it has introduced measures to ensure the quality of its PhD programmes, including strengthening faculty capacity, offering structured doctoral seminars and research methodology workshops, enhancing internal and external peer review processes, and reviewing doctoral programme processes.
The introduction of an ad hoc Committee to vet student papers for quality adequacy before public presentations is one such measure. According to Professor Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, Rector of GIMPA, "This should not be seen as an alteration of the PhD programme structure, as alleged by the students. Peer review mechanisms are normal in academic enquiry."
Commitment to Academic Integrity
GIMPA affirms its commitment to producing world-class doctoral graduates whose research addresses national and global challenges, while upholding the values of academic integrity and excellence.
We cannot compromise on our academic integrity by graduating students who have not met the quality standards of a PhD programme," Professor Bonsu emphasized.
Engagement with Students
GIMPA has engaged with the students from SPSG to resolve the issue, but they have presented a petition to the Governing Council. Management will await the outcome of the petition.
We welcome constructive dialogue with all stakeholders as we continue to improve our systems and uphold the values of academic integrity and excellence," Professor Bonsu said.
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