the truth is the PhD is physically and mentally draining, especially the final two years. I kept having to write and rewrite my thesis. Viva was a disaster as the external examiner challenged my analysis and although I defended my analysis, he was adamant. The internal examiner protested to no avail. The result was I had to re-do my analysis using a different technique (which he recommended). I entered into a state of depression and nearly had a breakdown, 8 months after viva, I resubmitted the thesis with the recommended corrections and got through. The whole process was humbling, I fell down to earth....never recovered!

Assistant professor is assistant professor...prof madya is Associate Professor...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_academic_ranks

It's my believe that a lecturer isn't really teaching in the sense, they are tasked to share. Also, although I'm not a creme de la creme student, I must say, I feel it's bad to the education system if they feel that failing students is a taboo. As with my previous thread about bell grading, I strongly disapprove. To me, the standard to pass doesn't need to be moved to accommodate the batch of students, it is them that has to step up or be kicked out if they can't stand up to par.

What's wrong with failing 99 students out of 100 students? if the 99 can't step up, no use awarding them a degree. Just my 2cents...