Depending on one’s perspective, it is either concerning or heartening that Malaysian universities have set ambitious targets to churn out more and more PhD holders.
Universities appear to be competing with each other, not in academic excellence, but in sheer numbers. This raises a crucial question: Are we prioritising quantity over quality?
The PhD degree is not merely an extension of a bachelor’s or master’s degree – it is an arduous academic journey that demands exceptional commitment, intellectual rigour, and perseverance. Yet, unrealistic targets have been set, leading to increasing dropout rates among PhD students.
Not all candidates are prepared for the long and gruelling process, and many are lured into PhD programmes without a clear understanding of what it entails.
Scholarships are readily available to entice master’s students to enrol in PhD programmes, but selecting the right candidates remains a daunting challenge. Merely providing financial aid does not guarantee successful doctoral candidates.
Universities must establish stringent selection criteria to ensure that only the best minds – irrespective of racial background – are given the opportunity. The ability to think critically, write well and conduct original research should be non-negotiable prerequisites.
Moreover, universities must assess whether they have enough competent and qualified supervisors to guide these PhD candidates diligently. This is a critical issue.
If existing supervisors were themselves trained by less competent mentors, the academic standards will continue to decline. How can they effectively mentor PhD candidates if they have not undergone rigorous doctoral training themselves?
The “publish or perish” culture among academics only exacerbates this problem – if PhD supervisors struggle to get their own research published in reputable journals, how can they adequately guide their students to do the same? This fundamental flaw in our academic ecosystem will inevitably lead to a generation of subpar PhD graduates.
The last thing Malaysian universities need is for their PhD graduates to be labelled as “kangkung professors” – a term that signifies unqualified and ineffective academics who tarnish the reputation of higher education. It is no surprise that many such PhD holders remain unemployed, as their degrees do not translate into real-world competence.
A possible solution to this issue is the introduction of a “no-degree, no-scholarship” policy. Under this system, students would be fully reimbursed for their PhD studies only upon successful completion. This would act as a strong incentive for candidates to see their studies through while ensuring that government funds are spent on producing truly qualified graduates.
If Malaysia is to establish itself as a hub of academic excellence, its universities must prioritise the production of genuinely competent PhD holders. The focus should not be on how many doctoral graduates we can produce but on how well we can train and nurture the best minds. Anything less would be a disservice to academia, students and the nation as a whole.
DR POLA SINGH
PhD in Marketing from the University of Alabama, US
