A RECENT opinion piece by Lim Kit Siang, DAP parliamentary leader and Gelang Patah MP, concerning professor "kangkong" touched the nerves of many in academia.
Of course, the sector is aware of the kangkungs and even lalangs — defined as a good professor who plays campus politics within the sector.
But, the broad-brush approach and its reflection on the academic fraternity as a whole is concerning.
The issue of low-quality professors is a concern but not one that is unique to Malaysia. Thus, an overly sweeping statement needs clarification.
The quality of professors is a global concern as even countries that claim to be educational elites grapple with this issue. Thankfully, these professors are in the minority in almost all countries, including Malaysia.
So, rather than painting the whole professoriate in Malaysia with the same brush, we could start separating the sheep from the goats!
Many accomplished and genuine professors continue to contribute to nation-building.
Despite the challenges, they work for the betterment of the university, society and the country. However, a community of professionals is only as strong as its weakest link.
Therefore, it is essential to identify these weaklings, scrutinise their work and highlight areas for improvement. Universities should have the authority to demote or even fire professors who continue to act irresponsibly.
Professors who demonstrate their unwillingness to be intellectuals as they should be or work as agents for politicians by continuing to spew hatred and propaganda, giving misleading information and falsehood should be demoted or removed from the profession.
The academic fraternity and universities must be given the autonomy to challenge such academics and expose them for what they truly are.
The ultimate quality of professors is a reflection of the selection process and is not something that can be resolved at the promotional level alone.
The selection and promotion of academic staff are within the prerogative of the institutions, public (since 2012) and private.
The promotion is subject to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE). These guidelines are minimalist, as the MoHE requires the universities to set standards to cater to their particular needs and environment.
Generally, public research universities have higher standards than non-research or teaching universities. However, a person promoted to a professorship should have met the minimum criteria set by MoHE.
But, the problem with any guidelines rests with the implementation, which is highly dependent on the sectoral ecosystem.
Lim, however, hits the bullseye by asking about the role of the MoHE and whether it has done its part.
In reality, MoHE has taken some steps, but more can be done. First, the director-general should act without fear or favour and lead by example.
As the appointing agencies for the vice-chancellors and the University Board, the director-general and MoHE should be able to reprimand the Vice-Chancellor for promoting low-quality professors.
Second, the vice-chancellors' decisions should be directed by peer and external assessments for promotion. Indeed, these assessments are crucial to establish the credibility of the person applying for the position.
Third, the University Boards should vet the list when presented to ensure that the decision is fair, transparent and honest. These processes, if applied genuinely, will ensure that only people who are truly up to the standard are promoted.
As times and people change, so should our practices on the promotion to professorships.
People with authority must take immediate action to change, or we will continue to have kangkungs and lalangs among the brilliant stars, many with excellent global standing among our professoriat.
A failure to change is a guaranteed ticket to creating more professor kangkung and lalang in our higher education system to the disdain of the many good men and women who make our institutions respectable through their contribution and intellect!
The writer is a life member of PenDaPaT and Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia