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The Academic Profession in Malaysia and Singapore: Between Bureaucratic and Corporate Cultures

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Book cover The Decline of the Guru

Abstract

The academic profession is central to higher education because a successful academic institution depends on a well-qualified, dedicated, and adequately remunerated professoriate. Academics in every society play multiple roles: They teach, carry out research, and provide services to their universities and communities. They are considered “experts” in their fields of specialization and are often called upon to provide expertise to government and industry. In some countries, as public intellectuals and social critics, they are expected to contribute toward the betterment of society. The expectations of the professoriate vary, along with their working conditions. The nature of academic work and the condition of the workplace may differ across countries and over time. The purpose of this chapter is to compare the academic profession in Malaysia and Singapore with respect to recruitment, appointments, and promotions, and to examine changes in the culture of the academic workplace.

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© 2003 Philip G. Altbach

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Lee, M.N.N. (2003). The Academic Profession in Malaysia and Singapore: Between Bureaucratic and Corporate Cultures. In: Altbach, P.G. (eds) The Decline of the Guru. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781403982568_6

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