We can serve beyond 60, say professors

The National Council of Professors has suggested that the retirement age of professors in public universities be extended to 65 years to retain more experts in higher education and research.  Its chief executive officer, Datuk Dr Raduan Che Rose, said professors in Malaysia retired at 60 compared to the international practice of retirement at 65 or remaining in service as long as their expertise was needed. "On average, a professor will be appointed as one between 50 and 55, and will flourish between 55 and 65 years in education and research.  "If they retire at 60, they have only five years to serve and this is a great loss to the education sector," he told a press conference after the Contract Professors in Public Universities Roundtable Conference in Putrajaya yesterday. The conference, attended by 35 professors, was chaired by council deputy chairman Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin. Raduan said the matter would be discussed with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh to be brought to the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. – Bernama, February 23, 2016.]]>