In India, teaching community in aided/Govt. institutions are getting salary in better pay scale than many other categories of  employees.

Dear Mohunnad,

Developing countries are societies that take political matters obliquely as more important than  everything else. Science and research require free thinking and resources to make results available to consumption to public and government decision making process. But that is not allowed in most developing countries, where political matters are more important than scientific knowledge, decisions are made not from advices of science but desires of politicians and hence academic professors are not as such immediate important and free thinkers, innovators, creators and dispensers of knowledge but rather readers of what are already available in textbooks. Because of that, unfortunately they have a diminished value and image in the society. 

Regards, 

In Iraq, academic professor is number ten in the community.

Dejenie A. Lakew,

Your answer is very focused ! At heart, it give me a good illUstration for this general phenomenon that noticed alot. I noticed this in several developing countries like Nigeria, but i did not noticed that in USA and Israel.

THANKS SO MUCH 

Mohannad Husain Al-Sherrawi,

Thanks for the information. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

All the best 

It must be given number one.

In reality, academic professors and teachers are not given the kind of importance and reputation that they deserve....but the "Teaching Profession" certainly deserves to be the "Numero Uno" as the "Teaching Profession" creates all other professions....

Regards

Selvam.

Firstly I would like to register my objection to naming and dividing countries into developing and developed countries Because the human capital of the developed countries is from the so-called developing countries.

Moreover, the scientific research and the empowerment of the university professor in the emerging economies need funding and a strategic plan for the development of the R & D sector, which includes enabling universities and university professors to lead the society. This trend clashes with the challenge of the economic situation of these countries.

Dear Mohunnad,

In Pakistan, Professors enjoy a very good status. However, their salaries and level of priority is not at number one. Physicians, Surgeons, Politicians, Judges etc are highly paid than academic professors. 

As always in live, there is not only "one answer" to this question. The answers above are all very interesting and show the diversity of perspectives. I would like to make some points:

• First: I don't see significant differences between the global north and the global south in this aspect. The distances between the academic and the political systems (for instance) are in my opinion “bigger” than between the north and the south. And also de diversity among the professors or between the countries is bigger.
• Second: Academic professors and teachers can only get the importance that they deserve (and not automatically for being professor or teachers). But I notice that the “Teaching profession” are getting (worldwide) less and less importance…
• Third: We need to be careful with generalizations… Not all academic professors are interested in “solving the problems” of the so called developing countries. Many of them are more interested in maintaining the status quo and not challenging it. (This was not part of the question, but I think it is implicit on it)

I like the debate started by your question, Mohunnad! Thank you!

Fernando Ruiz Peyré,

Great thanks for your addition. I like what you have added here ! 

While I must admit that professors are better paid in the private universities compared to national universities, they are not considered as priorities at the national level. You may find private sector better placed and high level civil servants, e.g. ministers and their deputies and ambassadors are more considered than a professor. Certainly professors are highly valued within their own circles but they are not looked at as priority figures in general. Reasons are well-known, professors work in their circles and do not seek fame or recognition. They are convinced of their role in the community and do not wish to prioritize themselves. Being a priority will divert them from their real goal and vocation. Hope this helps. 

In line with Shahin's response, only the fake Proffessors make too much of noise and seek fame and recognition anywhere they find themselves.  Real professors do not seek for self-glory and aggrandises. unfortunately, we have few of such fake ones in my country. they constitute a nuisance to both the academic community and the society as a whole.

Assumption is not like actual, in based on assumption, academic professor must be on the top ranking of priority in his community, but the actual or the situation on earth is completely different.

Emad

Nice question Prof. Massimi.

I support Prof. Magda's opinion.

I am happy that my answer found positive resonance, particularly that I went through two careers. As a diplomat and ambassador, I was highly considered and esteemed by the community and the media and was looked at as a high-quality and priority figure. As a woman ambassador in Egypt I was much under the limelight. As a professor, I work twice as hard and yet I am hardly looked at as a priority person neither by the surrounding community nor by the media. I continue to be addressed as Excellency.

Unfortunately, in many developing countries, this is not the case. The academicians are not at number one. Even they may not in top 5.