Book Description
Description for the MAC Book: "Making an Academic Career (MAC) ... Life and Career of a Professor (LCP)" book deals with experiences in real life of a professor (author: Dr. Subbarao Venkata Wunnava) during his 45 years in the academic life. Specifically it addresses the requirements, expectations, and challenges of making an academic career. Particular emphasis is placed on: building teaching and research credentials; obtaining and sustaining research grants; developing and enhancing industrial collaborations; obtaining tenure, promotion, and other recognitions; writing text books, other creditable publications, and conducting workshops and seminars; supporting and graduating undergraduate and graduate students; participation in self governance activities of the colleges and the universities; developing and maintaining cordial interactions with colleagues, students, administrators, and peers; and making the academic career extremely pleasant, fulfilling, gratifying and, rewarding. Also, in the present day globalized educational environment, especially in Science and Engineering, the needed interaction of the college and university faculty with the international peers and institutions has been presented. The foundation for any college and university education really lies at the high school and earlier stages for the students. As such, the interaction with the regional and county educational systems, overseeing the high school and earlier educational activities, has also been presented. The ups and downs in the academic life, mounting challenges, and possible solutions to build a successful and enjoyable academic career, to make it service oriented towards the students, colleagues, communities, and the country, have been presented with real case studies. Subbarao Venkata Wunnava; November 13, 2009