Academics call for fairer promotions, greater accountability in university reforms

KUALA LUMPUR: Lecturers want greater respect, fairer career opportunities and stronger protection against abuse of power as Malaysia prepares to overhaul its higher education system.

With the planned repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), academics hope the reforms will be an opportunity to address longstanding grievances over promotions, university management and staff welfare.

A senior professor at a university on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia lamented the declining respect for educators, saying higher education policies had focused heavily on students while overlooking lecturers.

She claimed that lecturers who had dedicated decades to teaching and research were sometimes denied career advancement, while complaints to the Higher Education Ministry failed to resolve their grievances.

But she said that protecting lecturers did not mean shielding those who consistently failed to fulfil their responsibilities.

"For me, if lecturers consistently fail to perform despite being given fair opportunities to improve, then an exit policy should be considered.

"Why keep those who are not fulfilling their responsibilities while others continue to work hard and carry the burden?"

She said university leaders and the ministry must also be held accountable.

"We cannot keep talking about excellence in higher education while allowing poor performance, abuse of power and double standards to continue."

Meanwhile, an associate professor at a university in East Malaysia said lecturers' welfare was being undermined by bureaucracy and inadequate institutional support.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he recalled having to use his own salary to finance an overseas academic placement despite qualifying for university assistance.

On career progression, he said promotions should recognise scholarly achievements — including research, publications and postgraduate supervision — rather than administrative positions or personal connections.

"If someone is qualified, they are qualified," he said, criticising favouritism and inconsistent promotion requirements.

He said stringent academic standards were acceptable, provided universities applied them fairly.

"If becoming a professor is difficult, that's fine. But once we meet the criteria, we should be promoted."

The associate professor also called for universities to reduce compulsory activities that distracted lecturers from teaching and research.

"Community service is necessary. But it should not be made a compulsory criterion for lecturers," he said.

He urged universities to restore academic merit, cut unnecessary administrative spending and ensure fair treatment of lecturers.