Tamil Nadu is leading the nation in hiring professors of practice (PoPs) within its higher education institutions, with Maharashtra and Gujarat following closely, according to recent data from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
These Professors of Practice are distinguished industry experts and seasoned professionals who are brought into higher education institutions (HEIs) to teach, mentor students, and infuse real-world experience into the curriculum. The primary goal of this initiative is to effectively bridge the divide between academic learning and industry demands.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced guidelines in 2022 to facilitate the appointment of PoPs, aiming to enhance the professional acumen within university classrooms. These positions are strictly temporary and do not affect existing sanctioned faculty posts. To qualify, individuals must possess a minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience, ideally in senior leadership roles.
The data indicates that 1,841 PoPs have been appointed across 349 HEIs to date, with Tamil Nadu recording the highest number of these appointments. Maharashtra has hired 193 PoPs, while Gujarat and Karnataka have appointed 179 and 170 professionals, respectively.
Notably, private universities are leading the charge in integrating industry professionals into their academic workforce. In contrast, central universities have made significantly fewer appointments, with only 15 PoPs hired so far.
Breaking down the appointments further, deemed-to-be universities have made 699 appointments, private universities account for 715, state universities have added 212 PoPs, and colleges have employed 200 PoPs.
Considering that India’s higher education sector comprises 56 central universities, 460 state universities, 128 deemed-to-be universities, and 510 private universities, alongside over 45,000 colleges, these figures suggest a relatively limited adoption of the PoP initiative among central universities.
A senior UGC official commented, “To bring in distinguished experts from diverse fields such as engineering, science, technology, and entrepreneurship, and to develop courses and curricula that meet industry and societal needs, the concept of a Professor of Practice has been adopted. This allows HEIs to collaborate with industry experts on joint research projects, providing valuable exposure and mentorship to students from domain experts.”
The official further clarified the tenure of these positions, stating, “The maximum service duration for a Professor of Practice at any given institution should not exceed three years, with a possible extension of one year in exceptional circumstances. The total service, under any condition, should not exceed four years.”
He also highlighted that the PoP scheme offers a valuable opportunity for individuals in leadership positions across various sectors to contribute their expertise on an honorary basis, thereby giving back to society and supporting nation-building efforts.