Inspiring a Culture of Appreciation of High-Performing Faculty Members and Research Scholars

Abstract

The government of India has established 23 Indian Institutes of Technology, 30 National Institutes of Technology, and a large number of Central Universities and offered academic, administrative, and financial autonomy to all these institutes of national importance. Even though institutes are performing extremely well, from time to time many suicide research scholars are reported. Further, there is discrimination against the faculty members. The objectives of this study are to assess workplace discrimination in higher education institutes. Two parts of research have been undertaken. 82 middle-level faculty members have been chosen and a questionnaire consisting of ten questions was administered and the feedback was received. Using the Likert’s four-point scale the feedback was analyzed. Four types of relationships between the faculty members and the heads of departments were identified, viz, maximum appreciation, tolerable relationships, mild friction, substantial friction, and total friction with the heads of the department The growth of the institute depends on excellent relationships with the chairperson, building trust, sharing the resources, and sharing the project gains. In the second part of the research, 41 research scholars were included. A questionnaire consisting of 20 items was included for their feedback that consisted of five points of the Likert scale. 5 types of relationships were identified based on the feedback, viz, smooth relationships, acceptable relationships, tolerable relationships, mild friction, and total friction. The supervisors/guides need to be trained in maintaining excellent relationships with the research scholars so that there will not be any suicide due to friction between the guide and the research scholars. The institutes have to establish a psychiatric unit to assist both the faculty members and the research scholars and discrimination has to be eliminated in all academic institutions