Endogamy--also called inbreeding--in universities is a problem worldwide. Normally,a  university does not say so in its policy, but in actuality practices it. Partly, it is so because  people within that university thinks that it is their responsibility to absorb their own products i.e. students who have passed out from that university. In some more reputed univerisities, people think that they are superior and should not recruit from lesser known universities.

Interestingly, in some of the Western universities, they have made a rule that you can not recruit your own Ph.Ds, so there is a total prohibition on own candidates. The idea is that you become open to all and on merit. I feel that the practice not taking others should be checked. There should be equal opportunity for competing by all candidates, and no inbreedings should be permitted.  All candidates should be treated at par.

Dear Kamal,

I guess that saying endogamy at the University it is understood that as a general rule Universities higher people mainly from the same University. Of course it can be understood  also in a wider sense.

Dear @Kazaros, the following report discusses this issue:

http://sociedad.elpais.com/sociedad/2014/03/23/actualidad/1395604536_271638.html

Endogamy refers to the segregation that helps groups resist merging with other groups or cultures who do not share the same beliefs or resources.

In my opinion, endogamy in the Universities exists long time ago, because of the way the society acts.  For example, if somebody enjoys a way of life for 5 years is going to build a way to see the life, to eat, to think, to interact, so, if a new person gets near to this society is going to be hard to fit in, and it depends on the society to involve this person.  Of course, the society has to change ande get new ideas, but it depends of the leader of the society to do that.

In Mexico, in some universities there is endogamy but in a different ways, for example, discrimination for the economical status or the way a person looks like.  In UNAM is different because between the students there is less discrimination, maybe because is public and there's a lot of ways of thinking. But is very hard to reach a place as a teacher, because of the endogamy.

I hope I've been clear.

Endogamy--also called inbreeding--in universities is a problem worldwide. Normally,a  university does not say so in its policy, but in actuality practices it. Partly, it is so because  people within that university thinks that it is their responsibility to absorb their own products i.e. students who have passed out from that university. In some more reputed univerisities, people think that they are superior and should not recruit from lesser known universities.

Interestingly, in some of the Western universities, they have made a rule that you can not recruit your own Ph.Ds, so there is a total prohibition on own candidates. The idea is that you become open to all and on merit. I feel that the practice not taking others should be checked. There should be equal opportunity for competing by all candidates, and no inbreedings should be permitted.  All candidates should be treated at par.

I've read the article that Abedallah M Rababah just put on the link and is incredible how it works, but it's very interesting how the latinamerican society works, too.  In Mexico, much of this endogamy is not only in the universities, is in all the goverment circles and in a few private companies.  It's like a virus inside the body that the people are so jealous or afraid to have a new person in their circle.  Sometimes the system is so corrupt.  So sad.

The reason inbreeding is avoided in universities because they will not be able to bring new ideas, as most of their ideas are molded by the department professors. So Universities tend to hire their own people after they have spent a few years proving themselves elsewhere. I think it is a good practice as it gives equal opportunities for everybody without any prejudice.

Endogamy  is a disease that has taken over almost every university.  this has already been discussed in detail in a thread of  RG. Endogamy here refers to inducting people by influential ones in the university no on the basis of merit but on the basis of relations or political ideology. as a result academic standard and dignity of teacher are continuously going down.

I think that to overcome the problem of endogamy, universities should not hire its own graduates.

Transparency and equal opportunity should solve most of the problem. I agree with the system of not hiring thier own fresh graduates specially PhDs.

Dear colleagues,

Thank you all for your interest in this thread and for your comments. Yesterday I decide to compare statutes of universities from different countries. I found statutes from universities in UK, USA and Spain. The first impression is that a department in a Spanish university has status of almost total self governance. There is no analogue of such an “absolute liberty” in any country that I know.

It was established in Spain by laws from 1984-85. Remember that this period is called the transition period from the dictatorship to democracy. If one admits that a university department is out of any real control then one can explain all negative consequences which time to time are brought to public opinion.

I strongly support Debi S. Saini sir. And my observation regarding endogamy is totally opposite of Affirmative Action.

Dear @Kazaros, I do agree that Endogamy is a disease, as @Mohammed mentioned! It is a serious desease! I would be free to recommend my thread about!

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Do_you_have_experience_with_caste_employment_at_Universities_in_spite_of_the_law?_sg=l3ebG317U5Cr0%2FjteYmE%2FDz8YmdHLzaNQZxqAlmjnLe%2FIr5w41%2BpsxyNVreNmLau_SUWvS0xVBxBsBwljG5NB%2FQIFcDwiR6f0f44YDnQEezsMnS5SgSvM5Lhiqt6uzx5S_5J9Q5gjXS%2BtazpfII8LPNFzebq98Y4oUxuOF%2Bs7iAzODiNQhNiNieaMqsdASL06q

Dear Kazaros, just to inform you that there exists a Department in a Greek University where the majority of the professors belong (with one way or another) to the same family! And of course, when I was walking around the professors offices before some years I was finding that husband and wife were localized in nearby offices (obviously for not to be tired by walking to the next floor in order to find the other half...)

Dear Ljubomir,

Thank you for your comment. I like your attitude dedicated to reveal injustice and fraud. In your thread about nepotism the point about sons, daughters, etc, etc is not most important issue. The main problem is that nobody should have unlimited power and act as he considers adequate for his personal interest. I powerful scientist and politician said “Give me a donkey and I´ll achieve for him the title of Doctor of Science (you can understand Full Professor). It seems that he proved to have reason. I guess many scientists practice such an experiment.

One of the most important Universities of Madrid few weeks ago was called “Kingdom of gangs” in one of main Spanish newspapers. Reading such a strong expression was not pleasant for me. Amazingly nobody complains.

My question is motivated by the mentioned article. I suppose that if there is a serious problem then it comes from laws which practically give unlimited power to the university departments. Which is translated into unlimited power of groups that have the control of the departments?

Dear Demetris,

I understand you perfectly well. Unfortunately there are cases which cannot be solved easily.

I am sorry not to have commented negative effects related with racism, nationalism, social inequalities and so on. These topics are very delicate and they should be treated with much care. I know closely consequences of actions motivated by those prejudices. I prefer to call it human factor.

In order to come to some conclusion related with the posed question, let us suppose that the human factor is within tolerated limits. Hence, we can ignore it in our comments.

Dear Kamal,

Thank you for your kind words. 

I think that to criticize inadequate behavior is not sufficient. The question is if we will act correctly in a similar situation. If there is a serious problem one should try to find the roots of the problem and suggest a solution.

Dear all,

Is there any relation between the tradition to ask recommendation letters for postdoc positions, tenure track positions, etc. and endogamy in a wider sense?For example, how a young person who has recently earned his PhD can get two-three recommendation letters of famous or influential experts? The unique solution is to have an influential mentor who in its turn can arrange the rest of the letters.

How does endogamy differ from cronyism and favouritism?

I guess Ljubomir can give a complete answer to this question.

@Kazaros, we have got nice answers from dear @Kamal. He is back which is very good news!

Yes, thanks to both of you.

Yes, Prof. Shafig, it might affect the rate of intelligence.

Endogamy at universities may create a lot of problems but even if it doesn't it compromises the benefits of open and competitive environment. We all know that the greatest reason of America's (and that of it's institutions') sustained success lies in its open and encouraging attitude towards the global talent and facilitating its acceptance in the society. Had they thought themselves the most competitive and had they refused to accept talented immigrants, coming from all over the world, in their institutions they would have never been as successful as they are.

Besides all that has been said I have some first hand observation that endogamy or inbreeding in universities promotes two extreme relationships one of rivalry due to being in competition with colleagues at many different occasions like competing for a reward and/or promotion and the other favoritism. Both of them result in divisions and negative social or cultural outcomes severally damaging the climate of cooperation/collaboration.

Competent and able candidate has all rights to prefer and be selected as per his excellency. But endogamy needs to be tackled rightly so that diverse brains work together and generates different ideas and hypothesis.

Dear Kuldeep Dhama,

In order to tackle a problem first of all one should formulate it. In this case it has various forms because of different laws and regulations in different countries and institutions. The problem becomes unsolvable because all of us are part of it. Hence, nobody wants to analyse it deeply.

I agree with your opinion dear Kazaros

Dear Ruchi,

I agree with you.

The same as in all other big institutions (Ministery, Hospitals, Public Administration, College students, etc).

Dear Ting Fa,

I am afraid that there are some differences between universities and institutions that you have mentioned. Traditionally universities have enjoyed autonomy for self- governance which converted them into closed systems.

Dear All,

University endogamy may have some essential relationships with nepotism and provincialism. It is characteristic for small (petit) rural colleges and universities. Informal connections – among cronies sipping some brandy – decide on important and lesser important things. Their hierarchy is determined by their origin (native town where they get their degree) and political sympathy.

Elective affinities (as Goete said) are important. Between  persons with the same cultural background it  is easier to develop synergies. But when the family becomes the source  of priviledges then the natural cycle becomes vitious. 

Dear András,

Well said. In some bigger universities a similar affirmation is true if one changes provincialism by patriotism.

Dear Ting Fa,

completely agree with you.

Dear All, It is a burning problem in probably all universities. Specially in Indian Universities, where peoples from other states or universities are not being allowed to appear in interviews some time. We have to come out with some solution for good health of universities education system.

Dear Prof. Kazarian,

You have highlighted very important issue. I agree entirely that  should be equal opportunity for competing by all candidates, and no inbreedings should be permitted. 

Wishing you continued fruiful and successful and prosperity,

Kind regards,

Marianne

Dear Prof. Shahsuvaryan,

Thank you very much. Wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Best regards,

Dear All, Here in India we call it Inbreeding. Most of the Agricultural universities are badly infected with this disease. Government of India is trying to overcome with this menace by introducing various plans and policies but locals are still committed to sun of Soil concept which is deteriorating standards of education like any thing.

Dear Sarwan,

You touch a very interesting aspect of the problem. This probably is a mixture of tradition, education and “cultural heritage”. It is clear that the problem will not disappear by itself.

Dear @Kazaros, when you have enough time read these stories. The first one is about tidy endogamous marriage! The second one is about the experience of  Prof. Simpson who is Professor of Anthropology, at Durham University, while he was visiting scholar at Sri Lanka, where  endogamy was followed quite strictly.

http://fortnightlyreview.co.uk/2015/01/brennen-redux/

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/150104/plus/my-days-with-the-drummers-129376.html

The following story is about endogamy at Sana's University in Yemen! "...Though their political power and elite status have long come to an end, many Hashemites in Yemen continue to take pride in their family ancestry. They remain known as a closed social group, with marriage between them and non-Hashemites going only one way: While Hashemite men have traditionally been allowed to marry non-Hashemite women, Hashemite women can not marry non-Hashemite men.

While these traditional attitudes and claims to social exclusivity continue to be found in Yemen, they are interspersed with new and varied opinions on the group’s social status, ongoing relevance, and endogamy....."

http://www.yementimes.com/en/1843/report/4712/Preserving-the-bloodline-Hashemites-in-Yemen.htm

What most the citizens of any nation want is transparency and equality in terms of providing opportunities. Endogamy (otherwise) inbreeding is a real problem and threat in most of the agricultural universities in India. Government of India is however taking up various policies to overcome this menace.