Research article

Online searchable scientific publications of State Universities and Colleges (SUCS) presidents in the Philippines and top 20 higher education institutions

Ronald L. Orale

Samar State University, Catbalogan City, Philippines

Author E-mail: ronald_catb@yahoo.com, Tel; +639217953548

Accepted 08 May, 2014

Abstract

A blind man cannot lead another blind man or else they will fall into the pit. Most of the best higher education institutions (HEI) and the top movers in the world university rankings are headed by highly-cited scholars. Faculty members of HEIs are scholars and therefore must be managed by a much better scholar. Research is one of the major functions of HEIs and is the major criterion in the world university ranking wherein the best of the Philippine universities has a deteriorating performance. Are Philippine universities specifically the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) managed by highly-cited scholars? Using the Harzing’s Publish or Perish Software, HEI leaders’ publication performance was determined. Result showed that 67% of SUC presidents have no online-searchable publication and only a third of those with publication have been cited and has an h index. The deference in research performance of SUC presidents is very significant compared to the top 20 HEIs in Asia. There is a weak positive relationship between SUC level and presidents’ research productivity but these differences are not significant. To improve reputation of HEIs in the country, it is a must that university heads are highly cited scholars or has strong research capabilities and qualities.

Keywords: HEI leader, publication, leadership by example, research leadership, Philippines