Brilliant Policy, Broken System: Rethinking Publication Requirements for Ghanaian Graduate Students'

While the introduction of publications for MPhil and PhD students before graduation may appear to be a perfect solution, a number of factors impeding graduate studies, as well as challenges with journal publication, make the transition difficult and will add to the already depressing atmosphere in the academic environment regarding graduate studies. I think I conveyed some of the thoughts of graduate students. And I hope the few topics I've raised address the issues you'd like us to talk about. Please let me know where the errors occur.

Under KNUST's updated guideline, PhD and Mphil applicants must submit at least two publications. The specifics of the difficulties are already in the press. But I'd like to give you a different perspective on why this idea, while brilliant, may not be the greatest until the ground is levelled. Here are a few issues.

Financial concerns.

There are numerous financial obstacles for graduate students studying in Ghana. The majority of graduate students have been despondent due to difficulties in paying their fees. Exorbitant dormitory costs, which have gotten little attention from university administration, remain a stone tied around the waist of students plunging deep beneath the water. Furthermore, collecting data requires expenditures.

In the current atmosphere of Ghanaian research, and the luck or lack of research findings for students, graduate students find it challenging to collect their data on time. When all of these fees are borne by students who are also battling to obtain a proper meal, it will be difficult, but not impossible, for them to focus on their thesis and studies.

Contributions by institutional structure

The concept may be brilliant, but if institutional structures continue to work as many of them appear to, this publication requirement before graduation will be challenging, holding the already suffering students hostage. Talk about supervision and how some supervisors have relaxed, while others have been tormenting their students. Let me leave it here.

Let us discuss graduate study deadlines and how departments and schools adhere to them perfectly. Although a few universities and departments may have a plan for their graduate students, the vast majority do not, and those that do may not adhere to the timetables. How do you expect graduate students to publish before graduation when you are well aware of the difficulties you have created by failing to establish and adhere to graduate timelines?

Another major issue is ethical clearance institutions, both within and outside of universities. Currently, some university graduate students have been stuck with their research for more than six months after submitting ethical applications and not receiving a response. With this unresolved, how can you expect students to go to the field, collect data, and do analyses before writing a paper for publication?

Journal publications and challenges.

Publishing may be simple for some people because it is included in the policy of publication before graduation, but it can also be tough. Politics have permeated the publication field. My question is: which journal kinds are students expected to publish in? Which of the Qs are predatory journals, as they are referred as in the journals? Also, the back and forth in publication can take a year, or six months if you're lucky.

If a journal requires publication fees, which are typically high, how can the student publish in a country that does not value graduate students? I could go on and on, but I need to come to a conclusion so that graduate students do not become even more depressed.

Conclusion

It is crucial for students to publish, but there must be a fair basis for promoting this policy. Universities would have to reconsider their institutions and structures in order to measure their performance. In terms of research spending, the country must also prioritise graduate studies. Departments would have to re-evaluate their graduation rates and start over. Let us consider why some programs have recently seen a decrease in enrolment. Graduate students would be delighted to have publications, but the conditions must be reasonable. I remain yours faithfully, Emmanuel Graham Nyameke.

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