Exclusive Interview with Prof Dr Sidek Ab Aziz Series 2 - About teaching technology and challenges as a lecturer. Also an award he received for a career in UPM.   Through the Video Call of Whatsapp app, most recently on April 10, 2020, around 1000 - 1115, a group of students attended the DCE 3606 Performance Management course comprising Siti Nursyarnisa Masmos, Siti Syaza Aina Abdul Rahman, Nur Afirah Suhaimi, Nurul Atikah Ismail, Nur Zafirah Roslan, Xu Chen Rui had the opportunity to interview Prof Dr Sidek Aziz, Principal of KTDI. Follow this exclusive interview extension.

Syarnisa: Alright, thank you Prof. Next question prof. As a lecturer, what tools or objects do you need for Prof to perform as a lecturer?

Prof Sidek:

Okay, back then, in the 80s, 90s, we used markers. Not that there is no whiteboard yet, our projectors create transparencies and they have improved a bit. It can be printed using a computer. Looks like a little lake, right? There was no projector at that time, the LEDs were all there, right? Then, as time goes by, there are more slides available. It's like that movie. So everywhere you teach it, there must be a movie slide that can move automatically or we have to insert one by one. So as time goes by, computers.

Computers are a necessity. So in my experience, I want to make him like a train from the very beginning to the present.

Now it's a phone, it's an iPad and more. So, the requirements vary with the seasons. Now that we look at ICT these days, so lecturers need a mobile phone to do whatsapp, chat, to share with students, to make directions. Back then, "okay, you can go to my room for a check" now? Whatsapp instructions “Dr. share your answer ”. If we look at it, we get how much percent. We look at our lecturers, we write, review. Then we dig again, we share with friends.

If we can present it to friends, it's a success. So for me, all the equipment we needed was computers at that time. LCD era, use LCD right? Maybe coming soon, just use IR 4.0 right? It's okay to come to class. Then we can control it right there. If it's 60s, then it's 60s. What about this time? Tik Tok Tik

Tok. So, we teach in his day. So, the equipment that every lecturer needs to have, must be in his or her day. Okay?

Syarnisa:

Okay. Alright. Next question, let's talk about equipment. So, what kind of work environment is that of a lecturer? 

Prof Sidek:

Her surroundings?Okay. Usually as lecturers focused on the room or office they make preparations to teach, to discuss with the students, to discuss with other lecturers and what is important is that each lecturer should be provided with ICT equipment.

Indeed, in the Faculty of Physics of the Faculty of Science, we do have computers for them to ask questions, make lectures, do research. So, UPM also provides loan assistance for lecturers to buy their own laptops. I used to borrow twice with UPM just to buy my own laptop. If the laptops provided by the university are too old for us to want something new.

Looking back at the early days, start with Windows 1 and then Windows 3, Windows 5, Windows 8 and now don't know what Windows is all about. So, that's the basic equipment that a lecturer needs to prepare for teaching and learning. Okay?

Syarnisa:

Okay. The last question is about performance evaluation. As a lecturer, how is a lecturer's performance assessed?

Prof Sidek:

So I told you before, to become a lecturer, we have to face multiple P's, right? If you pass a lot of P's, education, research, supervision, publications are the basis for their recognition and promotion.

To be a senior lecturer at that time, there used to be a temporary, temporary position. Once we get a PHD, we will be appointed as a lecturer and there will be another senior lecturer scheme. These senior lecturers are lecturers to whom they are assigned a task. Her education is good, her development is good and she earns 80% every year. So, he'll see if one paper is published, maybe five papers in a year. Then, learn how much credit, how much supervision, how many projects and more and so on will be done systematically every 12 months.

So think about the more P you donate to the university, the more it is and the more likely you are to be the chairman of the PIBG, the chairman of the surau.

Syarnisa:

Alright. For Prof. right, who's going to judge you? Examples like senior lecturers are evaluated by Prof. How did Professor Emeritus evaluate it?

Prof Sidek:     

So usually this lecturer, will be judged by his department chair as well as his dean. But if we have a position as a director or a principal, then the one who evaluates us is not the head of the department.

The one who will judge us is the dean and the deputy vice chancellor. I'm now the Principal, my value is my Dean's 50%. Then, the other 50% came from TNC HEPA and VC. So that means we have to know what our position is. For example, I am currently involved in college administration and also directed to teach a subject equivalent to 3 credit hours. If anyone has no teaching, he or she should teach at least 6 credits or more depending on their faculty. Okay?

Syarnisa: 

Okay prof. Loud and clear. Anyone else have any questions?   

Syarnisa: What gifts or gifts did you get as a lecturer? 

Prof Sidek:

Haa. What do I get. First and foremost, he went on stage near the Great Hall as a Great Worker. This excellent worker will usually receive RM1000 as a reward.

Syarnisa: 

Oh, Professor. get RM1000 eh if a good worker?   Prof: Haaa. After that, I was awarded the best national worker award. It was Datuk Najib who presented the award at RM2500.

I have won the RM10000 National Best Young Scientist award and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister.

Later, I was awarded the Excellence in Personnel Award at UPM and earned another RM10000. So those are some of the awards I received throughout my career as a lecturer. 

Zafirah:

Prof., what's the challenge of being a lecturer?

Prof Sidek: 

The greatest challenge in this life is, it is a challenge for us. For us, when we say, "I have a problem" does it mean we're down? "I have a challenge." Isn't it different? There are problems and challenges too. So I've always been positive in life. For me, I am God willing there are no problems related to work and only there are challenges that I have to overcome. So now, the challenge at the collegiate level is how we want to encourage our students to have a higher level of volunteerism.

He is collecting merit for merit because he wants to go to college. Why go to college? Because it's easy. But that's fine. There is nothing to do that work to enhance our knowledge, expertise and experience. But if you do it just for merit, you just want to collect it.

But the most important thing is that we seek experience and we challenge ourselves to become better. For example, I used to be shy. It is from elementary school to high school. It's a step to go through and be like now. Confession is over. Most importantly we are willing to face the challenge for. People say that if we can't run, we have to learn how to run. 

If we can't talk, we challenge ourselves to talk. The problem is that when "the problem, the problem, the problem" when the high wall is in front, that means you can't get past the wall.

The challenge is that the student's mind should be moved that he has a mind with innovation and creativity. Maybe we are like, you are all Tik Tok while I am in my 60s, there is a difference. But I can lower a little and you all raise a little so that we are together. You all can hear, I can tell. But that's how you are all not “this old man is very old” With you all we want to share the experience. It's okay. That all.   

Syarnisa: 

Okay Professor. All the solid answers of Prof. Everyone is very helpful prof.   Syndicate, zoology, Afirah: Thank you Professor! Assalamualaikum. 

Prof Sidek:

Waalaikumussalam.

Date of Input: 08/05/2020 | Updated: 24/06/2020 | farizaidi