Towards Informed University Management in Africa: Introducing the International Student Barometer (ISB) for Greater Accountability and Decision-Making 

African universities are at a pivotal moment, striving to balance rapid growth, global competitiveness, and the rising expectations of students and stakeholders. As institutions seek innovative ways to improve governance, accountability, and student satisfaction, the International Student Barometer (ISB), used by over 1,600 institutions globally, is emerging as a highly relevant transformative tool. By providing granular insights into the student experience and enabling data-driven decision-making, the ISB empowers universities to benchmark themselves globally and implement meaningful reforms. This article explores how the ISB is set to reshape university management across the continent, offering a pathway to more transparent, student-focused, and globally aligned education systems. 

African universities are undergoing significant transformation as they seek to enhance quality, expand access, and increase their global competitiveness. One of the most notable trends is the rapid growth in student enrollment, driven by rising demand for higher education and technical skills among Africa’s youthful population. This expansion is prompting institutions to adopt blended learning models including online courses, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the limitations of traditional delivery methods. Many universities are now investing in digital infrastructure, virtual classrooms, and open educational resources to reach out to broader audiences and ensure continuity in learning. 

Another trend is the push for internationalization and global partnerships. African universities are increasingly seeking global partnerships, participating in international student exchange programs, and aligning curricula with global standards to attract international students and improve quality of courses offered. Related to this is the growing focus on quality assurance and benchmarking, with a number of institutions engaging in global rankings and taking part in programs such as the International Student Barometer (ISB) to improve student satisfaction and institutional accountability. 

African universities are also placing greater emphasis on employability and entrepreneurship. Curricula are being restructured to include soft skills development, vocational training, and innovation hubs to equip graduates for the job market and foster job creation. Institutions are also addressing the issue of graduate unemployment by promoting partnerships with the private sector and launching incubation centers to nurture start-ups. 

Reforms on governance and leadership is a growing priority. Universities are increasingly recognizing the need for effective management structures, that are data-driven decision-making, and emphasis on accountability mechanisms. These efforts aim to create more transparent, responsive, and resilient institutions that can adapt to the rapidly changing educational and socioeconomic landscape of the continent and the world. 

As African universities navigate the challenges of growth, globalization, and rising expectations from students and stakeholders, the need for data-driven, transparent, and responsive management practices is an urgent necessity. In this context, the International Student Barometer (ISB), a global initiative led by Etio, is emerging as a game-changer. Designed to capture the experiences and expectations of international (and local) students, the ISB is being introduced across the continent as a vital tool to drive institutional accountability, strengthen governance, and elevate student-centered decision-making. 

The ISB is currently the world’s most extensive survey focused on both international and local enrolled students, offering universities actionable insights that are grounded in real student feedback and experiences. The ISB has potentially an immense impact in Africa. With more than 6,000 responses from Nigerian International Students Studying abroad, 1,000 each from Kenya and Ghana, 400 from Zimbabwe, and 300 from South Africa, the ISB is already building a substantial evidence base. These data sets enable African universities to better understand how students perceive their academic experiences, support services, campus life, and institutional responsiveness, while paving way for more effective reforms. 

Today’s university leaders are under growing pressure to compete not only regionally, but also on the global stage. That means going beyond traditional performance metrics to embrace holistic approaches to quality assurance. The ISB equips university administrators with comprehensive analytics that reveal both strengths and gaps across key areas such as academic instruction, student support systems, safety, accommodation, and employability. Unlike conventional evaluations, the ISB allows African institutions to benchmark themselves against global peers, thereby identifying opportunities to adopt international best practices and enhance their standing in global education networks. 

The uniqueness of the ISB is its emphasis on amplifying the student voice in institutional governance, a gap in many institutions in Africa and around the world. In universities where the ISB has already been implemented, the benefits realized are irrefutable Student feedback has led to the creation of dedicated international student offices, revamping of orientation and onboarding programs, expansion of campus health and accommodation services, and the establishment of clearer, more effective communication channels between students and leadership. These are not cosmetic changes—they are structural improvements rooted in evidence and accountability. 

Across the globe ISB insights are being integrated into annual strategic planning and quality assurance frameworks. The interest in the ISB signals a growing commitment among African universities to transparency, responsiveness, and continuous improvement. The ISB will provide the insights for participating institutions to not only enhance the everyday experience of their students but also strengthening their appeal to international scholars, funders, and academic partners across the globe. 

The introduction of the ISB across Africa represents more than just the rollout of a survey; it signals a transformative shift toward smarter, student-informed university management. and a commitment to developing world-class student experience. As more universities engage with the ISB, they align themselves with a new standard of leadership that values evidence over assumption, dialogue over top-down decisions, and excellence over complacency. 

Ultimately, the ISB offers African universities an opportunity to redefine what it means to be competitive, credible, and future-ready. It is a powerful catalyst for change fostering a higher education landscape in Africa that is inclusive, accountable, and globally respected. 

To find out how your institution stands to benefit from participating in the International Student Barometer, please get in touch with Chris Mkado.