Only varsities can renew professors’ contracts, says minister

Only the university has the autonomy to renew contracts of professors aged between 61 to 70 years old, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh. He said the government or ministry should not be blamed as the services of 156 professors on contract in public universities were not renewed as the government did not have the power to do so. "We have given autonomy power to 13 public universities and they (universities) can make a decision whether to continue the contract or otherwise. All appointments are the decision of the universities and not the ministry's.  "I will meet with the National Professors' Council on Monday to discuss this matter," he said when asked to comment on the issue of the contract professors' retirement.  He said this when met after the presentation of MyBrain15 scholarship at his ministry in Putrajaya today. Idris also said the universities would also look at the research abilities and teaching skills of a professor who had attained aged 60 before deciding if the contract should be renewed or not. "If the university thinks they can still contribute, it will continue their appointment through contract," he added. – Bernama, February 24, 2016.]]>