Source: http://www.clker.com/cliparts/8/9/a/a/12074317621019828319hill%20climbing%20white.svg.hi.png

I laughed when I heard that this government university “i” in Malaysia (Non-research University) put a requirement for their lecturers promotion is to publish a paper in publication with ISBN. What? That is so so sooo easy. Meanwhile, Research Universities (RU) lecturers need to publish papers (yes, more than one paper!) in Impact Factor / High Impact Factor Journals and Indexed International Conferences. This is to say, it is much much much much harder than publish a paper in an ISBN books.

Well, not to put blame on that “i” university. It’s their top management decision. However, just to highlight, the “i” university and other Research Universities (RU) in Malaysia are using the same lecturer salary scheme. Means, they will receive the same or the exact amount of monthly salary and allowances. This is biased for RU lecturers.

Just to ponder, two men were given a task, a task of bringing a rucksack to a 500 meter destination spot. Men “A” need to transport it by climbing a 500m hill. Meanwhile, Men “B” need to bring the same size rucksack to a 500m downhill destination. Both of them later are treated (or paid) equally.

Source: http://images.all-free-download.com/images/graphiclarge/portage_canoe_clip_art_24870.jpg

I don’t know, but this is the reality (at this moment, I hope there will be a light at the end of the tunnel). Perhaps, a suggestion from me, for RU lecturers, to appreciate them with their hard work in making Malaysia “academically visible“, give them, let say more allowance++ apart from their current monthly salary and allowance. Or maybe, a better lecturer scheme than the existing practice. What say you? 🙂

“ISBN? Really? Are you kidding me? You really made my day.”