Leadership in state universities and colleges (SUCs) must be anchored in proven academic contribution—ink before insignia. The proposition that aspiring academic leaders should meet a minimum benchmark—such as a Scopus-indexed h-index of at least 5—may appear reductionist at first glance. At the international level, university leaders often possess significantly higher citation impact, frequently reaching double-digit h-indices, reflecting sustained engagement in globally visible scholarship. At the same time, academic leadership must be understood as multidimensional. In redefining academic leadership, institutions must resist the temptation to prioritize visibility over substance.

Source: Philippine Star April 04, 2026 07:37 UTC