What We Can Learn

OUS Academy in Switzerland
5 days ago
2 min read

In 2022, one of the top universities in the United States—Columbia University—was found to have given false data to improve its ranking. This became a global scandal and a lesson for all education and business institutions. At the Kenya–Arab Chamber of Commerce, we believe this story is a strong reminder that truth and trust are key to long-term success.

Whether in education, trade, or international partnerships, transparency and ethical behavior must come first.

What Happened at Columbia?

Columbia University said that:

Most of its classes were small
Most of its teachers were full-time professors
Its academic quality was very high

But in reality, these numbers were not correct. The university gave this false data to get a better position in global rankings.

After a professor exposed the truth, Columbia dropped in the rankings. It also agreed to pay $9 million to settle a legal case from students who felt misled.

Why This Matters to Kenya and the Arab Region

This case shows why honest data and good governance are important—not only in education but also in business and investment. Just like students choose a school based on trust, investors and partners choose companies and institutions based on clear and truthful information.

In Kenya and the Arab world, where education and entrepreneurship are growing quickly, we must make sure that reputation is built on real quality, not marketing tricks.

Key Lessons for Our Region

✅ Honesty is good for business

When schools or companies give true information, people trust them. This trust brings long-term success.

✅ Quality must be verified

Whether in education or trade, we must check the facts. External audits and quality checks help prevent mistakes and protect reputations.

✅ Focus on real value

Don’t try to impress with fake numbers. Instead, focus on what really matters: results, impact, and customer or student satisfaction.

✅ Ethics come first

Train your staff to follow clear ethical rules. Teach future leaders that doing the right thing is more important than just looking successful.

A Message for Education and Business Leaders

This scandal from the U.S. is a message for all of us: even top institutions can make mistakes. That’s why we must stay committed to honesty, fairness, and responsibility—especially as Kenya and Arab countries continue to grow in education, trade, and innovation.

If we want to compete globally, we must show that we respect the values of accountability and professionalism.

Conclusion

Columbia University’s case shows how quickly trust can be lost if data is manipulated. For institutions in Kenya, across Africa, and the Arab region, this is a chance to build better systems—systems based on truth, transparency, and respect.

At the Kenya–Arab Chamber of Commerce, we encourage all education and business partners to protect their reputation by focusing on quality, ethics, and integrity.

This is how we build strong relationships and a better future—for our students, our economies, and our people.