Exploring the role of the academics as leaders for learning in a public higher education institution

Abstract

Academics play an imperative role in developing and producing high quality human capital and at the same time as a significant role model and students exposure for learning. However, the role of academics as role model for learning is still limited and scarce. This explanatory mixed methods paradigm is aimed to investigate whether academics have significant influence to students in their learning processes while studying at higher learning institutions. The main objective of this study is to identify the leadership characteristics among the academics that being emulated by students as their role model. A total of 288 undergraduate students from various faculties were selected to give their reflections on the suitable leadership characteristics that are in addition, three undergraduate students were also interviewed in exploring their preferences on the academics leadership qualities that they admired during the learning process. Findings revealed that academics who frequently motivated their students were most preferred. In addition, they also assumed that these academics were also chosen as their role model. Moreover, as an academician cum educator, it is important for academician to have high capacities on personal and cognitive, interpersonal skills and knowledge when dealing with students with because academicians considered as students' role model.