Study on job satisfaction and retention of BRAC University faculty members

Abstract

This study aims to find out what attracts faculty to join BRAC University (BU), analyze issues related to job satisfaction, and reasons for their leaving the university. The target population consists of the existing full-time as well as dropout faculty members. For exploring the attitudes and opinions of current faculty, Visualization in Participatory Programmes (VIPP) method was used. A questionnaire was sent to each dropout faculty member via email, snail mail, and through personal contact. In addition, six case studies of the dropouts were conducted with in-depth interviews. Secondary information on the dropout cases was also gathered from the university database. The time period considered was from inception of the university (April 2001) to when the study was undertaken (March 2006). We have found that BU enjoys a comparative advantage over other private universities in attracting good faculty members due to its affiliation with BRAC as well as its own vision and leadership. However, despite its reputation it is yet to create its own pool of talented and diverse faculties. A significant portion of its faculty members does not stay at BU. Forty-nine dropouts in five years is an evidence of this problem. Most importantly, many dropout faculties are going to the same organizations which they ignored at the time of joining BU. And, the possibility of further dropout is real. Thus, we recommend that the university should recognize that the environment and nature of academia is different than that of NGO or corporate sectors. Moreover, issues regarding salary structure, service rule, job responsibilities of the faculties may be rationalized as well as more emphasis should be given to professional development of faculties.