By Dr. Hj. Muhammad Khusairy Bin Capt. Hj. Bakri
Recent times have witnessed a growing concern among the academic community in Malaysia. The worries span from students to lecturers, covering issues like thesis length, hiring practices, and promotions. The central question is whether the Ministry of Education is aware of these problems and if they have become the new normal in Malaysian academia. Let’s delve into the crucial issues raised by many academics in Malaysia, exploring the implications and potential consequences for education in the country.
Master’s and Ph.D. students in Malaysia are traditionally required to produce long dissertations, sometimes spanning a staggering 80,000 to 200,000 words. The problem is this emphasis on length often overshadows the importance of quality research. Malaysian universities seem to be adopting a trend that pushes for longer theses, but these gather digital dust, untouched by the academic and industrial communities. Many of these hefty dissertations are in online storage or the university library, contributing little to the academic discourse. It is more troubling that many Malaysian graduates lack publications upon completing their studies, taking longer than usual to secure positions due to favouritism and political influence.
The perception that longer theses demonstrate a more profound commitment to research needs re-evaluation. The job market should prioritize the impact of research output rather than the length of dissertations. This fixation on word count can unintentionally discourage researchers from producing high-impact work that addresses critical issues. The Malaysian government and academic institutions must reconsider their evaluation criteria to address these concerns. Instead of fixating on word count, they should focus on the research’s impact, originality, and significance. Metrics like citation rates, conference presentations, and successful grant applications should take precedence in assessing a researcher’s contribution.
The experiences of historical figures challenge the belief that extensive dissertations are essential for meaningful contributions. Take Albert Einstein, for instance, whose groundbreaking theories were concise and focused, emphasising the depth of thought rather than the length of exposition. The same applies to other influential figures whose impactful research wasn’t necessarily tied to the length of their theses. Numerous studies emphasize that the impact factor of a researcher’s work is not necessarily correlated with the length of their thesis. The actual value lies in the significance of the research findings, methodological rigor, and potential applications.
In Malaysia, a troubling trend has emerged where individuals who do not publish find it easier to secure academic positions than those with a robust publication record. This counterintuitive practice is perpetuated by institutional leaders who prioritize factors like salary constraints or overqualification, neglecting the talent that experienced researchers bring.
The resulting brain drain, coupled with an influx of cheap non-Malaysian labour, undermines the integrity of the academic system. Moreover, promoting academics based on years of service rather than performance creates an imbalance in the academic hierarchy, stifling innovation and discouraging excellence.
There’s an urgent need for a paradigm shift in Malaysian academia to address these issues. Institutions must adopt transparent and comprehensive evaluation criteria, considering factors like publications, grants, and contributions to the academic community. The current norm of hiring and promoting based on political influence and favouritism must be dismantled. A robust auditing system should be implemented to ensure unqualified individuals don’t hold academic positions, fostering a culture of meritocracy.
In conclusion, the prevalent trend in Malaysia, where thesis length overshadows the quality and impact of research, requires immediate attention and reform. A recalibration of the criteria for evaluating academic qualifications is essential to foster an environment that encourages meaningful contributions to knowledge. It’s time for Malaysian academia to undergo a paradigm shift, embracing a more nuanced and relevant assessment of scholarly achievements. By doing so, Malaysia can reclaim its position as a hub of academic excellence, prioritising innovation, transparency, and genuine contributions to the global body of knowledge.
Dr. Hj. Muhammad Khusairy Bin Capt. Hj. Bakri is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Composite Materials and Engineering Center, Washington State University (WSU), a Faculty-Staff member for the Center of Bioplastics and Biocomposites (CB2) for North Dakota State University, United States of America, and a Lead Research and Development Sector of the Association of Professional Technicians and Technologists (APTT) Sarawak.
