Perl is not liked in the academic world, with very few exceptions. For example, Perl is taught at the University I attend, but the person who teaches it doesn't know it well at all and no one else is using it. Essentially, Perl is mocked. Why? Because Java and other languages are pushed by big companies who have a stake in their use at the college level. For the same reason, Microsoft donates huge amounts of software to Universities, in the hope of indoctrinating programmers at an early age. Poor Perl just doesn't have a voice. Perl could become a better language, but what is needed for Perl to make inroads at this level is corporate support.