JORDANIAN ACADEMIC STAFF AND ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATORS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE ROLE AND LIMITATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY RANKINGS

Abstract

For education policymakers worldwide, the international university rankings have taken the lead as indicators of institutional performance that are bolstered by the pretense of objectivity in science. These rankings have supported the first world and developing-nations institutions’ hegemonic model of higher education on a global basis. This study aimed to identify Jordanian Academic Staff and Academic Administrators’ perceptions of the role and limitations of international university rankings. For this purpose, the researchers designed an online questionnaire that consisted of three sections: demographic, experience, role, and limitations of university rankings. The questionnaire was distributed to academics and administrative staff involved in the Jordanian universities’ rankings. The results showed that the QS university ranking is the most popular, followed by the Times, ARWU, and US News. University rankings helped universities in education, administration, and student services. Additionally, the study found that university rankings helped institutions form academic partnerships among universities with similar interests, improve competition with similar international universities, boost scientific research culture, and construct university study programs. At the administrative level, university rankings helped universities promote a transparent culture, facilitate decision-making and improve quality assurance procedures.