Show us what you’re worth, profs!

 

The national professors council, or Majlis Professor Negara, is back in the news, taking up much valuable time from the really important stuff in life, such as watching cat videos on TikTok.

The latest news is about some alleged skullduggery, possibly even a crime, among the higher-ups of the council. However, a member of the council has chimed in to argue that the bad deeds of one person shouldn’t tar the reputation of the entire council.

Perhaps. But given the politics and culture of our society, what has happened was totally predictable, probably systemic, and oh-so similar to many other Malaysian failings.

There are so many questions that need to be asked here, so I’ll ask a few myself.

First, do we actually need a council of professors? The justification is that this bunch of brainiacs and wise people can offer sage advice that will benefit the nation. That they are “professors” means they’re exceptionally qualified to do so.

And then, should we ask if they are indeed that smart and wise? I’m sure some are, but in this nation that invented the term “professor kangkung”, we cannot totally discount that such a vegetable is present in the council too.

What do they really know?

One thing that many Malaysians agree on is that our education system is deteriorating. If these professors are a reflection – possibly even a cause – of our deteriorating education system, then their claims of expertise and wisdom might not stand.

I’d rather make the point that as professors they’re already at the pinnacle of academia, from where they can do what professors everywhere do – make their views known by publishing papers or books or through activism or advocacy for some cause or other.

Our society, much of which is still feudal and seemingly becoming even more so, gives away too much power and gives too much respect to titles and positions. That’s not necessarily wrong, provided those honours are fairly and competitively earned.

However, many aren’t convinced that such people have earned their power and respect. Their cause is often undermined by many fellow professors, current or retired, who regularly say cringe-worthy, bigoted, tone-deaf, or just plain dumb things.

A professor’s job is to create as well as impart knowledge, and must be prepared to have his or her ideas or opinions challenged in the knowledge, political and social marketplaces. Just merely being a professor doesn’t confer any special immunity from such challenges.

Mutual back-scratching

I’m not against having smart people in think-tanks or as consultants to the government. But often what we see are consultants and think-tankers in parasitic relationships where mutual back-scratching and who-you-know is more important than what-you-know.

I’m not denying the value of having serious, thoughtful people chiming in with their two sen’s worth, but taking them from one ivory tower into another is hardly productive or conducive to getting the best from them.

I can also ask questions about governance – about who runs things, about the funding, about the decision-making process, and especially about integrity in an organisation where accountability and deliverables are vague and opaque.

We’ve seen many instances of well-meaning government endeavours turning sour, from 1MDB to just about every agency, organisation or initiative funded by the taxpayer. Things fall apart when a functioning system of check and balance and clear and realistic objectives are missing.

In the current case, while we may be talking about one bad apple, given our collective experience, we can’t discount the fact that there may be more bad apples we haven’t seen.

Guarding their turf

Unfortunately, when an initiative becomes part of the government bureaucracy, the organisation’s core priority becomes one of protecting its own existence. The internal dynamics change, and even good and honourable people still feel obliged to fight for the survival of their organisation over other considerations.

This is what politics looks like: the end justifies the means, and other considerations are compromised or pushed out of sight. And then bad stuff happens.

Academics aren’t neophytes when it comes to politicking. The politics of academia are not something to be sneezed at. I’m reminded of an old joke: Why are university politics so vicious? Because the stakes are so small!

I should also ask what expertise the professors actually bring to the table. How many are actual world-class experts in their fields? How many can offer useful perspectives on the economy and climate change and the effect of AI and social media on society, as well as bread and butter issues such as the health and wellbeing of citizens, and about how we can live and thrive with each other.

Speak up

After decades of independence, Malaysians are still fixated with titles and positions as opposed to actual excellence. Meritocracy here has been redefined into politically expedient ways that benefit the politically connected in academia.

Here’s what I say to the professors – if you have an opinion, make it known. If there are restrictions against academics speaking up, then work to abolish them, because the restrictions are very bad for you and for society.

There are many spaces and forums, including the media (social and traditional), by which to make your voices known. Do podcasts or write books. Focus on your audience – whether the whole nation, or the leadership elites, or civil society or even the private sector, and educate them about something they don’t already know.

But don’t forget the reason for your existence: to create new knowledge and to impart it to others. How good are you at this? Your fellow citizens aren’t fully convinced about your track record.

If you do feel the best way to do your job is by setting up a special organisation, perhaps a national professors council, then go ahead. But if taxpayers are to pick up the bill, they will demand proof of the benefits, good value and accountability.

Sincerely, Emeritus Professor Longkangkung Adzhar Ibrahim of Idontgoto University, Bolehland.

-FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.