Prof P Ramasamy, whose post-retirement contract was abruptly terminated, talks to malaysiakini in this first of a two-part series about his 24 years at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and the rot in higher education.

Malaysiakini: You've been with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for more than 24 years. What would you considered as your major achievements?

P Ramasamy: I don't really like to blow my own trumpet. Others can see my achievements. I came back in 1981 from Canada after finishing my masters. Actually I came (to UKM) to do my field work because I was registered under McGill (University) for my PhD.

When I came here, things were moving so fast. I got married. I got a job here as a temporary lecturer and was confirmed in 1983. In 1993, I was made the associate professor and 1998, I was made full professor of faculty of social science and humanities.

In the early stages (of my career), I was involved in the labour movement. I was a member of Institute of Social Analysis (Insan) and we published Nadi Insan, which was banned because we were covering quite radical stuffs in the early 80s.