RESEARCH, PUBLICATION AND FUNDINGWITHIN THE OPEN UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA: AUDIT AND ACTION

• Main Authors: Latifah Abdol Latif, Thirumeni Subramaniam
• Format: Article
• Published: ASEAN Journal of Open and Distance Learning 2016
• Subjects: L Education (General); LC Special aspects of education; LC5800 Distance education; LG Individual institutions (Asia. Africa)
• Online Access: http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/1051/2/library-document-1051.pdf; http://ajodl.oum.edu.my; http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/1051/
• Institution: Open University Malaysia

While universities carry the dual function of knowledge creation and knowledge transmission through the process of research and teaching, there is on-going tension between research and teaching, particularly in terms of the demands on time and variable recognitions and rewards. In addition, there is a demand on all universities around the globe to increase their research and publication. In Malaysia, the rating exercise of universities is carried out nationwide using the Malaysian Research Assessment Instrument 2011 (MyRA®) by Ministry of Higher Education. The aim of MyRA® is to increase research quality in higher education institutions which in turn will produce high impact human capital, publications and intellectual property. The 2014 MyRA® rating for Open University Malaysia 2014 suggested that bold strategies are required to be on par with other private higher education institutions and this prompts this study. Three short surveys related to research, publications and funding were administered onto its academic staff. In addition, a visiting professor was invited i) to discuss how the university’s research and publication performance could be improved, and ii) to conduct a series of workshops to promote research and publication and encourage action amongst academic staff. The paucity of research and publications within the university according to the survey findings is due to several reasons such as i) lack of emphasis on research and publications in strategic plans as well as in the terms and conditions of employment, ii) workload issue, and iii) lack of research skills. The Centre for Research and Innovation which manages all research related activities of the university has drafted out its Research and Innovation strategic plan taking cognizance of the issue raised by academic staff. Keywords: Research, Publication, Funding, Audit (Abstract by author)