Jakarta, IO – As many as 353 lecturers from 14 faculties at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta, opposed the plan to award honorary professorships to public officials at UGM, reported CNN Indonesia, Friday (17/2).
The statement was addressed to the rector, committee chairs, and members of the academic senate.
They argued that honorary professorship is not an academic title, but an academic position which necessitates its holder to carry out academic obligations.
“These academic obligations cannot be carried out by someone who has a job and/or position in the non-academic sector,” the statement reads.
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They also believed that awarding of the degree to individuals from the non-academic sector is not appropriate and would negatively affect the university’s scientific reputation. And that it should be awarded to those who have earned a professorship.
“It will set a bad precedent in the history of UGM and can potentially lead to transactional practices in the awarding of academic degrees and positions,” the statement reads. (un)