SEREMBAN: Scholars with the emeritus professor title need to be given appropriate roles and recognition from universities so that they can continue to contribute to academic progress.
Malaysian Academic Association Congress (MAAC) president Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Idrus Mohd Masirin said currently, individuals with the title are seen as marginalised after they finish their services at universities.
“Most of them only become a one-day ‘celebrity’ during convocations because they are the emeritus professor…and that’s it. After the ceremony, no unit or secretariat at the university tries to hold any programme for them.
“It would be a great loss if academics who have retired are left marginalised without being given any role for them to contribute to the academic, country and community progress,” he said in a statement here today.
He was commenting on the statement by National Dakwah Council (MDN) chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mahmood Zuhdi Ab Majid who described the emeritus professor title as just for wall decoration and stressed that universities did not have a clear policy on them.
Sharing the same view, former deputy vice-chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs) of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) Prof Emeritus Ir Dr Amir Hashim Mohd Kassim said all universities needed to provide facilities and programmes for all those appointed as emeritus professors so that they could share their knowledge and experiences.
“This will not only lead to the success of the knowledge transfer process and the mentor-mentee programmes but will also be able to raise the reputation and credibility of local universities. Many professors and academics are still interested in serving and sharing their experiences.
Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin, when contacted, said the university always appreciates the services of emeritus professors and therefore they are always invited to get involved in writing autobiographies, biographies and memoirs. – Bernama
