Teaching AND Research: Symbiosis or Psychosis?
Generally, teaching position in a university entails among others the responsibility of an academician to do research. The reason is understandable. Lecturers need to keep abreast of latest development of knowledge out there, and explore new potentials therein, by research. It is almost like a symbiotic existence where one realm benefit from the existence of the other. However, currently the symbiosis has developed into something else. No longer a symbiosis, but rather a root of psychosis among academia. This can be attributed to the fact that, research is not simply about enhancing knowledge in university anymore but is a mechanism for a university to maintain repute. Now to do research, Academics has to get certain amount of grants. Failing to achieve certain value of which will affect his year end appraisal. Secondly, output of the grant must achieve certain quality that requires no small effort and endeavour on behalf of the academics. The findings must be published in specific pub