Careers on campus
In higher education, postgraduate study is essential for career progression.
Some individuals are born to teach. They have the ability to impart knowledge and experience in an enthusiastic and dedicated manner. To be surrounded by such people is indeed a great opportunity and you will find many of them on the grounds of universities all over the world.
In general, the organisational structure of a university is divided into administrative and academic. Nevertheless, advanced academic qualifications are usually a requirement for all university staff.
On the administrative side, the Chancellor is the head (comparable to CEO) of the university, responsible for carrying out ceremonial, pastoral, scholarly and ambassadorial duties. Beneath the Chancellor, in descending order, are the Pro Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Dean of Faculty, and Head of Programme.
The Dean of Faculty is perhaps the best known to students as this person acts as a mediator between the students, the administrative staff and the Chancellor as well as implementing academic programmes and personnel policies.
On the academic front, one starts off as a lecturer and moves up the ranks to senior lecturer, associate professor, professor and senior professor.
Career progression
Generally, to become a university lecturer in Malaysia and in many other countries, one should possess at least a Master’s degree or a PhD in a relevant field.
For positions in Malaysian public universities, qualifications must be recognised by the Malaysian government, and Malaysian citizens must also have achieved a credit in Bahasa Malaysia (including a pass in the oral test) at SPM level or its equivalent.
In order to move up from senior lecturer to associate professor, one has to have a PhD and accumulate sufficient teaching and publication experience as well as made significant contributions to a specialised area of research. Thus, many lecturers are also PhD students aiming to achieve associate professor status upon completion of their dissertations.
As well as having a PhD in the field they wish to tutor in, professors and associate professors must display proven academic leadership in teaching, research and departmental development as well as extensive publications in the required field. Academic and teaching achievement are both requirements for tenure – which, in the academic arena, is a lifelong professor position, guaranteeing a permanent job at the university until retirement.
Advancement and promotion processes differ among institutions, with some offering teaching staff opportunities to advance year-round, while others may have scheduled advancement exercises where, for example, associate professors with outstanding performance records may be invited to apply for professor positions once a year.
A select few who are held in great esteem by the university community may be granted the title of Professor Emeritus upon retirement from active teaching or research duties. Many of these so honoured may continue being involved in the day-to-day operations of their department and mentor students and staff.
Industrial relations
Work experience that is obtained before, during and after your postgraduate qualification can be invaluable to both you and your students. A practising engineer with five years’ work experience is likely to make a better lecturer or professor in engineering. Similarly, a lecturer who has performed in local and international plays would be able to give students in the theatre and drama faculty a more realistic view of life in theatre. Individuals planning to tutor in subjects such as engineering, pharmacy or social work often need several years of relevant work experience.
Earning capacities
In Malaysia, the starting wage for a lecturer would be RM2,200 per month and this could rise to RM4,900 per month. An Associate Professor takes home RM4,300 to RM6,000 per month while a professor’s salary could be between RM6,000 and RM7,600 per month.
Teaching is a rewarding profession as wherever a good teacher goes, he or she will be remembered. In addition, one gains the satisfaction of knowing that one would have nurtured the seeds of progress in not just one but several generations.
