Lecturers’ service scheme to be studied

PUTRAJAYA: The government will study the service scheme of lecturers in public institutions of higher learning and teaching institutes so that their professorship will not be restricted by the post of a vice-chancellor.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak said that would mean a credible and renowned professor could attain higher grade than a vice-chancellor.

“This is a change which will require evaluation of a person based on his level of knowledge and this means that for him to be promoted, it is not necessary that he be a vice-chancellor or a deputy vice-chancellor,” he told reporters here yesterday.

Earlier, Najib delivered a speech at the 11th Civil Service Premier Gathering (MAPPA XI).

Also present at the function were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.

Najib said that as there was no opportunity for those holding the post of professors to go higher, there was a scramble for the vice-chancellor’s post among academicians.

“So, when we open up posts for promotion based on knowledge, it does not mean that the candidates concerned can only get a higher post by going for the vice-chancellor’s post. This will place value on the command of knowledge and skill by the academician as the main determining factor for higher posts,” he added.

However, Najib said the assessment had to go through a “peer review” process which should not be confined to an evaluation by an individual, but a system, comprising those eligible to make an evaluation on someone as senior as a professor.

Earlier in his speech, the prime minister said the study was to allow professors in public institutions of higher learning to go up to the highest staff grade post without having to hold any administrative post.

He said for the purpose, a special mechanism would be introduced at the national level which would involve an independent panel and “peer review” to ensure a fair evaluation.

“The promotion has to be based on meritocracy because the country needs the best towards making the tertiary institutions in Malaysia a paragon of excellence”, he added.

The prime minister said the government was also committed to providing the best and affordable health infrastructure for the people.

As such, he said, the government agreed to provide incentives for career development for medical officers, dental officers and pharmacists at the Health Ministry.

“All these will involve additional expenditure which is estimated at RM200 million a year. Therefore, the government hopes that the medical officers, dental officers and pharmacists will continue to give their best service to the people,” he added.