University responsibilities transcend the creation of 'employment-ready individuals' - Mohammad Tariqur Rahman
In the realm of academia, the concept of 'personal capital' as defined by Alfred Marshall in his seminal work, "Principles of Economics," has been reconsidered. While the passage was deleted, the concept of 'personal wealth' remains, signifying a shift in focus.
This discussion is led by Tarique, the Deputy Executive Director of Development, Research & Innovation at INPUMA, Universiti Malaya. He can be reached at [email protected].
Under Tarique's leadership, Universiti Malaya has established three pillars as its guiding principles: administrative justice, academic and research excellence, and professional integrity.
The strength of the administrative justice pillar is designed to ensure that every individual is rewarded for their commitment and recognized for their competency. This principle aims to foster a fair and equitable environment within the university.
In alignment with global trends, Universiti Malaya adjusts its recruitment and promotion exercises for academic staff, focusing on ranking indicators. However, this focus is not at the expense of the core objective of a university.
The university's commitment to academic and research excellence is reflected in the strength of its second pillar. This commitment ensures a socially conscious, nationally committed, and globally competent output, contributing to the betterment of society.
However, the race for academic and research excellence, driven by global university rankings, can sometimes lead to unethical practices. The competition can push academic staff and researchers to rely on questionable means to numerically fulfill the performance indicators imposed on them.
This situation has raised concerns about the integrity of scientific research. Unethical means and resulting scientific misconduct have eroded people's trust in science, a situation that is far from ideal in a world where knowledge and truth are crucial.
To address this issue, Universiti Malaya is committed to ensuring that everyone remains morally conscious, ethically committed, and legally competent. This commitment forms the backbone of the professional integrity pillar.
The human capital theory, which argues that education requires investment for future returns, has been widely accepted. However, a narrow focus on human capital production can compromise the holistic roles and responsibilities of universities.
A holistic revival of university education requires a university to operate on the foundations of commitment, competence, and consciousness. This approach aligns with the human capability approach proposed by Amartya Sen, which distinguishes three consequences of human skills: direct influence on people's well-being, indirect effect through influence on social change, and indirect effect through influence on economic production.
In conclusion, universities must revisit their modus operandi to ensure they are fulfilling their roles beyond the production of mere 'human capital' for future generations. A balanced approach that prioritizes both human capital development and the spirit of humanity is crucial in today's world, where economic prosperity without the spirit of humanity can lead to counterproductive outcomes, such as sporadic wars.
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