New Delhi – Tamil Nadu is leading India in the appointment of ‘Professors of Practice’ (PoPs) within its Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Following closely are Maharashtra and Gujarat, according to recent data released by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Professors of practice are experienced industry experts and professionals who are brought into academic institutions to teach, mentor students, and infuse real-world insights into the curriculum. This initiative aims to strengthen the connection between academia and the professional world.
The UGC introduced guidelines in 2022 to facilitate the hiring of PoPs, recognizing their potential to enhance the educational environment. These appointments are temporary and do not affect existing sanctioned faculty positions. Candidates are typically required to have at least 15 years of relevant professional experience, often at senior levels.
The UGC data indicates that 1,841 PoPs have been hired across 349 HEIs nationwide. Tamil Nadu has seen the highest number of these appointments. Maharashtra follows with 193 PoPs, while Gujarat and Karnataka have appointed 179 and 170 professionals, respectively.
Private universities are leading this adoption of industry professionals into their academic staff, with central universities having appointed only 15 PoPs to date.
More specifically, deemed-to-be universities have onboarded 699 PoPs, private universities have appointed 715, state universities have added 212, and colleges have employed 200 PoPs. This highlights a broader trend across different types of higher education institutions.
India’s diverse higher education sector comprises 56 central universities, 460 state universities, 128 deemed-to-be universities, and 510 private universities, along with over 45,000 colleges. The relatively low number of PoP appointments in central universities suggests room for growth in this area.
A senior UGC official commented, “To integrate distinguished experts from fields like engineering, science, technology, and entrepreneurship, and to develop relevant courses that meet industry and societal needs, we’ve adopted the concept of a Professor of Practice. This provides students with valuable exposure and mentorship from domain experts.”
The official further clarified, “The service duration for a Professor of Practice at any institution should not exceed three years, though it can be extended by one year in exceptional circumstances, with a total service limit of four years under all conditions.”
This scheme offers a significant opportunity for experienced professionals in leadership roles to contribute to society and nation-building on an honorary basis, sharing their expertise and insights with the next generation.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed.