The vicious arena of academia and why its integrity is diminishing

By Sensei Adorador

When a student asked me in class, “ Sir, what is the role of academia in today’s social issue?” I answered it concisely: “ Of course, it gives insight into the cause of social issues.” Then, a follow-up question, if the academe is true to their words, why are we producing people who cause this social issue? I was stunned by this kind of answer from a student. However, I wasn’t surprised by the role of academia and how it contributes to our nation’s crisis in the economy and intelligence.

Academic Powerplay

One thing I learned in the academe when I stepped foot inside as a teacher ten years ago is the idea that academia is inherently political. People seek positions of power within the system, motivated by their desire for power rather than their academic ability. These individuals attain their positions not through their academic excellence but rather through their political skills. Thus, it is part of the argument that the distinction between academic pursuits and political interests cannot be separated.

I learned that the head of a research department doesn’t have any published research at all, and even the administration doesn’t have any administrative skills, to begin with. Much to my chagrin, the Vice president of Academic Affairs doesn’t know the nitty gritty of curriculum and academic directions. The top officials appoint them not because they are skilled in their field but because of “closeness” other than that, due to the title “Dr.” because they have this title, they begin to climb to the echelon without any hassle.

So what are the results of this kind of practice? It misdirects and pulls the university in the direction of progress. Often, this strong-knit kinship is why they seldom hire outsiders and prefer to hire their products to retain their power.

This is somehow related to what is happening in our society. We put politicians not because of their educational records and experiences but because of popularity and political alignment. When they get a seat, those politicians hire people they are close to or frequently, and they have this “utang na loob.”

As much as the professor discussed the importance of meritocracy and despised cronyism, it remains an idea because the university is also practicing such.

More on the title, less on the output

The point system in promotion becomes a battleground for academicians. The higher the points, the higher the position. Some academicians don’t want to extend community engagement if the participants are not attuned to the needs of National Budget Circular 461 (NBC).

I often noticed that some didn’t want to join the said cause or handle a certain position because It did not have points to help them promote. Also, the speakership whereas they need to have an audience that is professional to credit their engagement. Such cases become a burden for the image of academicians. It defeats the image of being an academic.

Academics dedicate their lives to bettering the world through disseminating knowledge and striving to bring about a more humane society for the greater good. While their work may not yield immediate financial gains, their impact on society is immeasurable and deeply fulfilling.

The academe becomes a money-generating institution where diplomas and degrees can be bought if the institution is after the enrollees and graduates, not the quality. With this, one of the effects is the Ph.D. holder and an academic rank don’t conduct classes for the undergrad or even evade academic duties. Surprisingly, one professor plagiarized a research work to meet the research demands. Unfortunately, that teacher wasn’t even sacked from his post.

Another practice is that some teachers loaf around and do not meet their students because their reason is that they make research that they publish in predatory journals. This scene also made me realize that having an advanced degree doesn’t mean that you have intelligentsia.

Worst is that Ph.D. holders are so complacent with their rank and achievements that they don’t perform their duties well, which is also true even for their administrative duties. Role in the university is often sacrificed in pursuit of monetary profit.

One public school teacher said, “ I learned how to work smart and loaf because that was what the teacher taught us before.” We don’t learn in master’s degree class, he let us report the topics in class, and he sat at the back and slept. Frequently, he went outside to have a coffee break and was dismissed when he returned”. It is like paying tuition not to learn but to report. That is why most public school teachers have that kind of mentality. The worst is he brags that he earned his Ph.D. in two years. For some reason, doing graduate degrees is not preparing for an academic career or importing knowledge; the reality is for promotion and to have a title where you can brag.

The future of academia

I have high hopes for our universities and stepping up their game in the field of producing quality graduates; however, I am skeptical if we will attain the metrics that the global used to determine the quality of our universities. Some state universities aimed to be one of the top universities in Southeast Asia by this year xxxx. Sadly, those visions were never attained due to the quality of teachers and academic practices. The gaps that academicians become a reason why we will never attain such a feat.

From diploma mills, research malpractice, and underperforming academicians to political powerplay, it will ultimately result in the regressing of educational quality. Students will always be at stake. They will suffer more than we imagine. The very reason employers look down on this university and prefer this university is due to the quality of graduates.

Despite the numerous accreditation processes that serve as quality control, these issues remain unaddressed. To be honest, accreditation to universities is just a “ moro-moro” one can fabricate and even make up evidence just to get approval from accreditors. Sometimes I doubt what’s with this accreditation, and the practice remains the same. Are we doing this for the sake of the title that we have various accredited programs, but the practices are the same?

The future of academia in the country is seen as an institution that detaches itself from society. Students are disillusioned because what the academia preach doesn’t practice it. They taught the history of minorities and the struggles of Filipinos, but they taught themselves just as promoters of the dictator. While others teach how bureaucratization in the government is detrimental to our progress, they are still the ones who practice it in academia!

Now I understand why people are disillusioned in academia and prefer to learn on social media because academia offers hypocrisy in its vision, detaching itself from reality and heading for personal gain, not for its students. This is why academia is vicious to students and slowly diminishes its integrity.

Ano Pilipinas? Kaya pa?