SEREMBAN, Oct 8-- The Malaysian Academic Association Congress (MAAC) has urged the government to consider a better scheme and salary for lecturers in the country, in view of their contributions to society.

Its president, Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Idrus Mohd Masirin, said the role of academics in the country, especially in the fast-developing era of technology, was significant through their research work, especially in the growth of the national economy.

“The role of academics in Malaysia as catalysts of technology through teaching and learning as well as training and research has allowed Malaysians to keep up with technological developments,” he said in a statement to Bernama here today. 

Mohd Idrus, a lecturer in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Johor, said with the government’s plans for the fifth generation network (5G) technology, the academics have to also generate ideas to develop its potential for the benefit of the country.

“With the world talking about smart phones and the 4G or 5G technology, the government has provided the necessary platform while academics explore its potentials which will eventually benefit society,” he said.

At the same time, he said, incentives such as allowances given to lecturers to pursue doctorate degrees would encourage them to further their studies and undergo training to increase skills,”  he said.

Mohd Idrus also urged the government to provide emoluments for academics who are 65 years old and older who should be retained, especially if they are healthy, as they could continue to contribute to the country.

-- BERNAMA