PENANG, 22 October 2013 - The reputation of a university depends very much on the quality of its faculties, said Professor Tan Eng Chye, Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Provost.

However, it also needs to provide the faculties with conditions that help them realise their full potential and to develop into world-class academics.

In explaining NUS recruitment process, he said that headhunting for talents is a year-round process, targeting doctorate students with good potential.

He then outlined how NUS evaluates research by using measures appraising research publications and citation analysis, and awards and prizes won.

“Another criterion to look for is whether the person is a member of editorial boards of journals or books and how reputable these publications are.

“We also look at the research grants secured and whether the person has rendered service as reviewers,” Tan revealed during his USM Leaders Talk Series 2 titled Transforming Talent Towards Building a World Class University organised by the Strategic Communications Office at USM Dewan Persidangan Universiti today.

Tan also stressed on three important aspects involved in recruiting faculty members, namely the recruitment itself, development and retention.

The talk was attended by the Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Network), Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey; and the Director of Strategic Communications Office, Professor Dr. Badaruddin Mohamed. - Text and photos: Yong Check Yoon