The University Renders Its Support To Assist Lecturers And Tutors Complete Their PhD Studies — Vice-Chancellor

Fellow lecturers and tutors of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) who have yet to successfully obtain their doctorate degree (PhD) must complete their studies for the sake of posterity and to ensure that the university will be able to achieve its agenda to be the Eminent Management University.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghani said although at 35 years of age, UUM had gradually become an "old university" because many of its staff were retiring.

"Once these lecturers retire, the task and responsibility to drive the excellence of the university rests in your hands.

"Competition with other universities, whether local or foreign universities is very fierce at the moment and we need a lot of experts to drive forward and position UUM to an even higher level.

"Hence, you need to complete this PhD study regardless of the challenges you face," he said at the Opening Ceremony of the Human Capital Development Workshop organized by the Continuing Education Unit, Registrar's Department at the TH Hotel and Convention Centre, Alor Setar.

According to him, the journey to grasp a PhD degree may well be difficult, slow and unpleasant but it can be done.

"I understand that it can be a lonely, difficult and challenging journey. My friends and I have gone through it.

"But I'm sure that with the support from the university management and guidance from experienced professors like Prof. Dr. Rushami Zien Yusoff it can be done.

"The University will continue to assist and provide support in this matter however, you must also strive and give your full commitment to complete your respective PhD studies," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Registrar, Mr. Baharudin Yaacob said the number of UUM lecturers with PhD to date stood at 77%.

"This year, 32 lecturers with PhD will retire and if the vacancy is not filled then the number of lecturers with PhD will decrease and indirectly affect UUM's achievement in terms of ranking," he said.

He said the university was targeting the number of lecturers with PhDs to be at 85% by 2020.

About 80 lecturers and tutors whose study leave ended but they have yet to obtain their respective PhD s were involved in the three-day workshop that ran from March 31 to April 2.