Between Hope and Reality: The Quality of a Professor’s Knowledge

By Dr. Abdul Wadud Nafis, LC., MEI

The title “professor” is often associated with a person who possesses deep knowledge, academic integrity, and a significant contribution to the development of knowledge. However, in reality, not all professors meet these ideal expectations. There is a significant gap between society’s hopes for the quality of a professor’s knowledge and the reality that occurs in practice.

A. Hope: The Authority of Knowledge

1. Depth and Originality:

Professors are expected to have comprehensive mastery over their field and be capable of producing original work, such as innovative research or new theories.

Example: A professor in the field of science is expected to contribute to technological advancement or scientific discoveries.

2. Academic Integrity:

Society expects professors to uphold academic ethics, such as anti-plagiarism, objectivity in research, and transparency in methodology.

3. Dedication to Teaching and Enlightening:

As educators, professors are expected to be able to transfer knowledge clearly, guide students, and inspire the next generation.

B. Reality: Challenges and Deviations

1. Uneven Quality:

Not all professors have deep academic capacity. Some achieve their title due to administrative factors (such as the number of publications) without a real impact.

Some even rely on teamwork or their students without direct contributions.

2. Academic Politics and Campus Corporatization:

Academic promotions are often influenced by networks, proximity to power, or institutional interests, rather than pure academic meritocracy.

The demand for mass publications (e.g., predatory journals) for career advancement diminishes the quality of research.

3. Ethical Violations:

Widespread plagiarism and conflicts of interest in research.

4. Distance from Society:

Some professors are trapped in the “ivory tower” of academia—focusing on theory without practical application or solutions to social problems.

C. Why Does This Happen?

1. Poor System:

Campus bureaucracy demands (such as accreditation) prioritize quantity over quality.

2. Lack of Accountability:

There is minimal punishment for ethical violations or professors who have stagnated academically.

3. Economic Pressure:

Professors are driven to seek projects or positions for additional income, sacrificing academic focus.

D. How to Improve?

1. Reform the Assessment System:

Evaluate professors based on the impact of their research, not just the number of publications.

Provide room for long-term, in-depth research.

2. Strengthen Ethics and Transparency:

Conduct independent audits of professors’ academic work, including strict plagiarism checks.

Impose strict sanctions for violators (e.g., revocation of titles).

3. Connection with Society:

Professors are encouraged to engage in public education, open discussions, or applied research (e.g., policies, appropriate technology).

Conclusion

The title of professor should be a symbol of excellence in knowledge, not merely an administrative position. To bridge the gap between hope and reality, a joint commitment is needed from educational institutions, the government, and the professors themselves to restore academic dignity as a pillar of national progress.

“Knowledge without integrity is an empty promise, and a title without meaning is just dead letters.”

References

1. Altbach, P. G., & De Wit, H. (2018). The Challenge of Academic Corruption. Springer.

2. Feynman, R. P. (1999). The Meaning of It All: Thoughts of a Citizen-Scientist. Basic Books.

3. Washburn, J. (2005). University, Inc.: The Corporate Corruption of Higher Education. Basic Books.

4. Fanelli, D. (2009). “How Many Scientists Fabricate and Falsify Research? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Survey Data”. PLoS ONE, 4(5), e5738.

5. Larivière, V., et al. (2013). “The Oligopoly of Academic Publishers in the Digital Era”. PLoS ONE, 10(6), e0127502.

6. Ziman, J. (2002). Real Science: What It Is, and What It Means. Cambridge University Press.

7. Leonardo AI. (2025). Illustration: Between Hope and Reality: The Quality of a Professor’s Knowledge [AI-generated image]. https://app.leonardo.ai