Transformation 'Soft Part'

The Institute has embarked on its Transformation Plan initiative back in 2009 with objective to identify and recommend appropriate action plans to accelerate the university’s R&D capacity and capability in order to become a world class research university. The near to-date target or immediate milestone was to achieve a Research University status by 2013. I was heavily involved with this Plan.

Two years down the road, we have finalized the plan, I would say in details, consists of not only immediate action plans to achieve the RU status but also a long-term strategies to ensure sustainability. Putting too much pressure with workload during the implementation phase of the Transformation, be it academia or administrator, needs motivation and morale boost. A set of new environment whereby transformation is not regarded as a threat but rather as a stimulating opportunity should be emphasized and put in place. I guess that’s why we have abundant of strategies, plentiful of initiatives and many-many action plans in ensuring a new environment to the staff. We want the staff to ask themselves what they can contribute to the institution rather than the otherwise.

That was then. I was with the rest of my colleagues today for a sharing session with the Transformation Team. They have a very focus presentation which I believe should come from a full time job effort. My expectations were never low until Khalid raises a very pertinent question whether all the above so called soft part is taken into consideration in ensuring sustainability of the Transformation. Then only I know that most of the soft part was not well covered.

Somebody needs to do something. Otherwise, the Transformation will not last long. It will only create short term gain but in the long term it might goes down the drain. I’m quite concern…

P/s – Good presentation on the slides thou…