Transformation of Higher Education Status: Issues on Faculty Workload

Abstract

The Malaysian Public Universities are undergoing the process of transformation which requires efforts from every components of the universities, especially the academic staffs, in order to achieve high rankings internationally and to fulfil their Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for the purpose of promotion and appraisal. These ambitions have increased the workload of academic staffs and extend their workloads from teaching to other myriad of responsibilities such as; research, consultation, administrative and community services. This paper examines the impact of transformation of university status and the workload of academic staff. Data was collected through interview with the top level management from four different categories of universities such as APEX, Research, Focus and Comprehensive University. Thematic content data analysis technique was used in analysing the data collected. This paper finds that the transformation of higher education status has intricated the workloads of academic staffs with less benefits. The workloads and job specifications of the academic staffs are different in accordance to the categories of the universities. Meanwhile, all public universities are bound to follow the dictated scheme provided by the Public Service Department of Malaysia. This study suggests that the contract of service of academic staffs to be revised and to include clear terms on the improvement of scheme and benefits for academic staffs in public universities.

The Challenges and Issues Faced by the New Appointed Academic Staffs of the University in the Emerging Market

“…Based on the findings, most of the respondents pointed out that they are struggled with both work-related and non-work related issues and challenges in starting their journey as an academician in the university. As per discussed in the past literature, the work-related aspects involving teaching and learning, supervision of the postgraduate students, publication in reputable indexed journals, securing research grant and consultation are the one which closely related to the individual performance target or KPIs (Khan & Anwar, 2021;Basarudin et al, 2016;Masron et al, 2012). While non-work related issues include performing administrative tasks, working environment or culture and fulfilling the additional requirement such as the completion of PGDHELT are discussed as challenges for the newly appointed academic staffs (Mgaiwa, 2021;Subarto et al, 2021;Han et al, 2020;Sabagh et al, 2018).…”

“…Due to its significance, the KPI is an essential element toward institution's (university's) development (Asih et al, 2020;Basarudin et al, 2016). However, the process of delivering and comprehend each element of the KPI were missing from the staffs' development program.…”

“…A preliminary study conducted among new academic staffs of DS51 revealed that there are few issues and challenges faced at the early stage of their career. Such difficulties in carrying their roles and responsibilities which somehow affecting their productivity and performance subsequently (Dayagbil, Palompon, Garcia & Olvido, 2021;Ehido et al, 2019;Rusmin, 2017;Basarudin, Yeon, Yaacob & Abd Rahman, 2016).…”

Evaluating Teaching Workload of Academic Staff for Optimum and Effective Use of Expertise Resources

“…Issues on workload of academic staff were also reviewed by Basarudin et al (2016). This study analyzes the issue of workload based on transformation taking place in the Malaysian higher education system in terms of ranking and KPI.…”