PDA

View Full Version : Discussion: Unwanted in Academic World


wnka86
20-06-2009, 12:30 AM
Dear friends, I would like to share with you this two articles in which it appears on the Star Newspaper on 11th June and 19th June respectively.

"Unwanted in Academic World" ~ 11th June 2009

I SUPPORT wholeheartedly Wasted Labour?s comments in ?Retiree: It?s not the money, but use us for our experience? (The Star, June 9). I am a holder of the DBA, besides an Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA in general management.

I retired three years ago after holding senior positions in general management as well as in sales and marketing in both the manufacturing and trading industry. I wanted to contribute back to society by joining the academic world.

I thought that with my academic qualifications, coupled with vast working knowledge and experience, undergraduates can benefit greatly from my lectures. How wrong I was! Despite numerous applications to local private universities to be a part-time lecturer in management or marketing, I could not get a single interview. Apparently, only the business world values my experience and knowledge.

I am currently involved in training managers and executives and have since stopped applying for a lecturing position.

WASTED TOO,
Petaling Jaya.


"Willing to help but no takers" ~ 19th June 2009

I READ the letter ?Unwanted in academic world? (The Star, June 11) with great disappointment. It is sad that the writer did not have the opportunity to contribute back to the academic world despite his qualifications and experience. Perhaps the universities did not have any vacancies.

However, to miss out on such an individual who is willing to share his expertise and experience to the younger generation is a loss. How many people in the industry would think about going back to the academia to serve there?

The writer could have just retired happily and enjoyed life by travelling around the world, yet he chose to lecture and tried his best to obtain a lecturing position, but apparently his DBA, his honours degree in Mechanical Engineering, his MBA and his working experience are not needed.

There are not many people in the industry who would think about venturing back into the academia. Some just do not have the passion and patience to teach. Lecturing is not easy work as lecturers must prepare their lessons properly and must take great pains to ensure that their students can understand their subject matter.

Sometimes, lecturers are even asked to provide consultation to some companies and conduct research to maintain their Key Performance Indicator (KPI). These people may be old, but their knowledge and experience are worth more than gold!

From HENRY YEW,
Ipoh

Boyz_Zoo
20-06-2009, 12:37 AM
"Willing to help but no takers" ~ 19th June 2009

I READ the letter “Unwanted in academic world” (The Star, June 11) with great disappointment. It is sad that the writer did not have the opportunity to contribute back to the academic world despite his qualifications and experience. Perhaps the universities did not have any vacancies.

However, to miss out on such an individual who is willing to share his expertise and experience to the younger generation is a loss. How many people in the industry would think about going back to the academia to serve there?

The writer could have just retired happily and enjoyed life by travelling around the world, yet he chose to lecture and tried his best to obtain a lecturing position, but apparently his DBA, his honours degree in Mechanical Engineering, his MBA and his working experience are not needed.

There are not many people in the industry who would think about venturing back into the academia. Some just do not have the passion and patience to teach. Lecturing is not easy work as lecturers must prepare their lessons properly and must take great pains to ensure that their students can understand their subject matter.

Sometimes, lecturers are even asked to provide consultation to some companies and conduct research to maintain their Key Performance Indicator (KPI). These people may be old, but their knowledge and experience are worth more than gold!

From HENRY YEW,
Ipoh
the guy who wrote this article is a ReComers too.

but I will agree with you. WHAT A WASTE.

wnka86
20-06-2009, 12:45 AM
The private universities can be so blind that they are not able to evaluate his curriculum vitae at all. What is it that they are looking for? Waiting for Thy kingdom come until there is a shortage of lecturers, then they are willing to accept this person to be a lecturer? We are in need of experienced lecturers to educate our younger generations. It is not only through books that they are able to grasp all the knowledge, but it must couple with experiences that "Wasted Too" is able to share with the students.

I am able to stick my head up to testify here is because my postgraduate lecturer here in Australia is from the industry and he works part time in the university as a lecturer. He is able to throw in so many real life situations for us to ponder about whilst applying what he has taught us from the books into the situation. Since I am also tutoring the undergraduate students in my university, I am able to relate my previous industry experiences to their level of study.

It is no wonder the nation is losing so many capable countrymen like "Wasted Too". Where have they been? Retired and sitting at home perhaps? Travelling perhaps? Or even migrated overseas for the betterment of their kids future.

A very thought provoking question that boggles my mind throughout the day.



Dear Boyz_zoo,

Yes, I am aware that Henry is our regular contributor in ReCom. Henry, if you are reading this, I thank you for sharing it on the Star newspaper.