A Study to Identify Ways for Professorship Promotion of Kasetsart University Lecturers

Abstract

The main objectives of this study were 1) to study the total number of "Professors" in public higher education institutions and its changing trend by reviewing the official data for the period of 1997-2001 published by the Bureau of Administrative System Development, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of University Affairs; 2) to study the characteristics and the results of requests for "Professor 9-10" and "Professor 11" of the public higher education institutes' lecturers; and 3) to study the problems/constraints in obtaining professorship by reviewing the meeting documents of the University Civil Service Sub - committee on Academic Positions from 1998 to 2003 and the resolutions. It was found that in 2001 there were 296 professors in 21 public higher education institutions. Over 70 % of the total professors were in 3 universities, namely, Mahidol University (117 professors or approximately 40 %), Chulalongkorn University (64 professors or approximately 22 %) and Kasetsart University (28 professors or approximately 10 %). From 1997 to 2001 the number of professors decreased by 6 % per year. The proportion of professors to the total number of lecturers was only 1.5 %. By institution, Mahidol University had the highest proportion of 4.5 %, followed by NIDA (3.2 %),Chulalongkorn University (2.4 %) and Kasetsart University (1.5 %). From 1998 to 2003, 491 lecturers of public higher education institutions requested for "Professor 9-10"; and 221 of them or 45% was approved. Eighty four lecturers requested for "Professor 11" and 50 of them or 59.5% was approved. In the same period, 49 lecturers of Kasetsart University requested for "Professor 9-10" and 17 of them or 34.7% was approved. 10 lecturers requested for "Professor 11" and 6 of them or 60% was approved. Using Crammers' V statistics to describe the correlation between professorship approval and some variables, it was revealed that the universities of the proponents, their disciplines, ages, sex, methods of requests and number of academic papers were slightly correlated to the approval of the positions. The evidence of academic references and recognition were moderately correlated to the approval of the positions. This suggests that the approval or refusal of the requested positions depended more on the evidence of academic references and recognitions. It was further reflected from the review that the refusal of the requests was mostly due to the unqualified academic papers as set by the University Civil Service Commission. For instance, most textbooks lacked of comprehensiveness, depth and innovativeness or well-conceptualized thinking. Most of the research did not demonstrate new knowledge, lacked in-depth academic and comprehensive content, did not apply appropriate methods of research, and were not useful. This study recommends Kasetsart University inform their lecturers about promotion criteria for academic position, and provide advisory support to foster their understanding on ways and means to produce high quality academic works. The University should also promote and sustain academic environment to stimulate and inspire the lecturers to continuously produce up-to-date and high quality academic works.