Klara Spustek, Senior Product Owner of Impact Rankings at Times Higher Education, highlighted the significance of online learning rankings during her presentation at the ongoing Africa Universities Summit organized by the Times Higher Education (THE) among other partners. Speaking on the session titled “Defining Excellence: Benchmarking Online Learning on a Global Basis,” Spustek emphasized the urgent need for accessible and efficient education methods, especially in light of challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“COVID highlighted the reality that not all education must happen on campus,” she stated, pointing out that online learning has emerged as a vital alternative. However, she acknowledged ongoing skepticism among employers regarding the credibility of online education, which has led to the establishment of specific rankings to help universities and students navigate this evolving landscape.
To be eligible for inclusion in the online learning rankings, universities must advertise their programs as online and deliver at least 40% of their content in an online format. Spustek explained that this threshold was carefully chosen to account for varying educational regulations across countries, which dictate how much content can be delivered online versus on campus.
“Some countries have limitations as low as 20% for online program delivery,” she noted. “We found the ‘golden middle’ at 40% to create a fair standard for evaluation.”
One of the session participants asking questions during the presentation about Online Learning Ranking
When asked about the potential for these rankings to enhance the authenticity of online learning, Spustek reassured that the rankings are built on robust datasets that undergo thorough validation. “We have strong data sets behind our rankings, and we provide our methodology to anyone who inquires,” she explained.
Spustek, who has been with Times Higher Education for four years, stated that engaging with these rankings not only helps institutions understand their strengths and areas needing improvement but also encourages a broader dialogue about the quality of education.
Her call to action for universities worldwide was clear: “Higher education is a magical world where we can deliver progress in teaching, research, and outreach. By participating in our rankings, universities can gain valuable insights into their performance and contribute to making the educational landscape better for all.”
Spustek’s insights at the Africa Universities Summit reflect a growing commitment within higher education to embrace online learning and the need for clear, trustworthy benchmarks in this critical sector.
