The Young Academic Leadership of Kerala

Jumping right in, around 90 percentage of those in leadership in the Higher education scene in Kerala right now are Asst Professors. They occupy key leadership roles, whether it is that of the Head of the Dept. or IQAC coordinators or Vice Principals. It is not uncommon to come across Asst. Professors who hold the position of Principals too. This spreads to membership of boards of studies and similar bodies too at the next level. 

Lack of regular appointments for a decade in the past has left a vacuum in the hierarchy and this has led to this tricky scenario. From 1996 to 2007 there was an appointment ban in the State in the govt and aided colleges and this has precipitated a situation which is unprecedented. The senior faculty members have retired while absence of regular input in the form of young recruits have left a vaccum. While those academics who reach 56 years of age retire from colleges in Kerala, the next seniormost one to take the leadership chair could be someone much, much younger in experience, with less years of exposure. There is such an abundance of Assistant Professors in our campuses, while the Associate Professors are a rarity, leave alone Professors. How does this impact these institutions and what will be the prolonged outcome? 

It would be stating the obvious that this offers the young faculty members an early opportunity to be in leadership positions. They can start exercising their influence and leading a group early on in their careers. This certainly is no ordinary opportunity as all those aspirants who waited long for the leadership chair to empty will easily understand. The young with their original perspectives and fresh agendas will get a space to explore those through application. Longstanding academic traditions can be upended and genuine thrust given to usher in the new.  

This will be welcomed by those young academics who believe they have it in them to deliver at those levels. Considering the fact that the age-ceiling often keeps the young off serious agency in the matters of the Departments and Colleges, this is a welcome removal of such a hurdle. There will be an air of acceptance for fresher thoughts and it is possible that academic fertility will improve. 

The presence of senior faculty members is of advantage in many ways in an HEI. The huge experience they carry and the scholarship they possess always stand in good stead for those young ones who join later. And it is always their level headed shoulders and minds which help us temper the adrenaline and slow us down. It helps the young be less idealistic and risky. There is a value chain embedded in the system which comes through them. In matters academic and administrative, sizeable contribution can come from them and they help connect the young to the higher academic networks. They are the bridge to the past and help the young to be in the know as to how the institution evolved. These are all significant leadership contributions. 

What is ideal is a blend of the old and the new. The seniormost at one end, the raw and juniormost at the other while the middle of the academic supply chain will be peopled with those with varied years of service. This ideal scenario has its unseen problems too as at times those senior in years expect and demand respect only for the years they have put in, even when the academic growth proportional to the years is not evident. It goes without saying that one should respect one's senior in years. But when this is mixed up with academic performance and professional control, matters can go haywire. When those senior in years, but rather junior in academic passion and gains, wanting in contributions and genuine interest, insist on the young following them academically, professionally, problems arise. This can become a major roadblock for the aspirations of the young ones who have newly joined the ranks of the faculty members. The whole ecosystem too could be affected. 

While the passion and drive of the young will be of much value and use, will the lack of exposure, experience, of valid, senior models around, affect in the long run? What are the ways in which the leadership of Higher Education of a State can be affected by this scenario? 

Babu. P. K., Ph D.