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Education
For the love of teaching and much more...
COMING FROM a family of university professors, I grew up taking for granted the regular work hours, the summer holidays, the bonhomie with students, the profusion of books and the involvement with reading and writing that were a way of life for my father and several aunts and uncles. They all seemed to be very interested in what they were doing, and apart from the occasional complaint about "not being paid enough", or the irritation with recalcitrant students, they enjoyed their jobs. Two or three decades ago, a job with a university or a college was prized and respected. It represented security, intellectual satisfaction, and service. Many people chose to go into academics simply because they loved studying, and enjoyed passing on the joy of learning to students. Society in general also perceived university service as a valuable contribution.
Universities were places where transformational ideas were generated, where tomorrow's citizens were primed, where social change took root. In recent times however, academia has lost much of its lustre. The corporate world has all but dominated the job market and apart from the few who actively seek entry into the government and NGO sector, college graduates see little other opportunity. As a result, academia ends up being a "last ditch" area for those seeking jobs. Of course, there are some subjects which naturally lead up to a university career, such as many of the humanities subjects, or the pure sciences but even here, many prefer to look for openings in large research foundations or institutes rather than in a university. Although a university job still represents prestige in many quarters, not many good people are willing to put their lives into it.
As a result, our universities are sadly in need of energisers; if ever there were a sector desperately calling for good minds, this is it. What are the advantages that an academic career can offer over the "applied" job areas? While pay scales are clearly not as high as in the blue-chip corporate sector, the revised UGC pay scales are nothing to scoff at. The non-material perks are perhaps much more attractive. University teachers have at least two months of regular paid vacation in addition to the usual days off during the year, plus an assured pension. The pressure is nowhere as intense as it is in the corporate sector, although the committed and dedicated teacher/researcher faces a different kind of pressure to perform, based on internal motivation. There is a higher level of job security, with layoffs or "downsizing" being practically unheard of. On the other hand, the insular nature of most university departments leads to quite a lot of internal politics and sometimes, the disruptive influences of student politicking. Academia gives the interested student the opportunity to devote one's work life to the pursuit of knowledge for knowledge's sake. Despite the increasing corporatisation of education, universities still retain a large space where pure research can continue to happen. Large universities have the laboratory and library facilities that are needed for such work, and many foundations also offer grants for university-based research.
A university department also provides the space where many like-minded intellectuals can come together and collaborate on projects. Continuous interaction with students keeps you stimulated and in touch with new ideas, besides providing an important sphere where you can have a positive influence on young minds.
A university job usually is multifaceted. It usually involves teaching, research, and administration, apart from opportunities for curriculum planning and influencing education policy. Typically, a lecturer — the lowest rung in the academic hierarchy, must teach two or more courses each term, plus counsel students and provide input into administrative decisions. In some fields of study, such as business management or applied sciences, academicians are valued as consultants to industry. In addition, one must make time to do research and publish in academic journals, because that is the only way to move ahead in the intellectual community.
Of course, the emphasis placed on research varies widely across university departments in the West, a lecturer (or assistant professor) cannot hope to achieve tenure (permanent status) unless he/she has a certain number of publications in reputable journals. In India, promotion rules tend to be somewhat less stringent, and a good teaching record is considered sufficient in many places. The way onto and up the academic ladder varies according to the discipline. It's essential to have a Ph.D or be working towards it if one wishes to enter academics. The UGC offers a Junior Research Fellowship to fund doctoral students both at universities and research institutes, and this is obtained through a competitive selection process involving an examination. Smaller universities and colleges will appoint lecturers without a doctorate, however, although opportunities for promotion and funded research become limited in such cases. Many students perceive university life as being staid and somewhat unchallenging, meant only for those who want a slow and steady lifestyle.
However, the constant presence of young blood in the life of a university can keep things interesting and vibrant. For the engaged and involved researcher — teacher, things are usually never dull. University faculty have relatively more intellectual and operational freedom than people in most other areas. This is why revolutionary — and often dangerous-ideas come from universities! Many scientists, who today work in R&D divisions of large corporations, or with prestigious research institutes, started their lives as university teachers. Many continue to associate with universities as guest faculty or as research guides. A university is a great place for those who wish to explore their ideas within a discipline, or for those who love teaching.
Usha Raman
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