The Meaning and Practices of Academic Professionalism: Views from Academics in a Research University

Abstract

Recent changes in the Malaysian academic environment, such as the categorisation of universities into research universities, comprehensive universities, and focused universities, have had an impact on universities’ governance and academics’ understanding of professionalism. It is against this background that our research on the definition and practices of academic professionalism was undertaken. In this paper, we present some initial findings, from two focus group discussions, on the meaning and practices of academic professionalism as understood by academics at a research university in Malaysia. How do academics define the meaning of the word ‘professional’? Do they consider their career or profession at the university as ‘professional’. If so, how do they define professionalism? How does the changing academic environment influence their views and practices on professionalism? These are among the questions that we address in this paper. Three major themes emerged from the focus group discussion: (a) diverse views on the definition of academic professionalism, (2) the dilemma between the individuals’ and organisation's needs, and (3) effectiveness and consistency in the implementation of the organisation's plan.