October 06, 2022, New Delhi, UGC New Guidelines: The University Grants Commission (UGC)has released new guidelines that allow higher education institutions to hire specialists for the teaching position called ‘Professor of Practice’ without a PhD degree.
The institutions have the freedom to select the industry from which they want to hire experts. Anyone with good experience in different fields, including technology, science, social sciences, media, literature, the armed forces, law, fine arts, etc., can be a ‘Professor of Practice’.
In order to be eligible for the position, a candidate must be a “distinguished specialist,” must have made “notable achievements in their professions,” and above all, must have at least “15 years of experience”.
The UGC’s Secretary, Rajnish Jain, further said, “The National Education Policy 2020 recommends transformative reforms in the higher education sector. The main thrust of the policy is to promote holistic and multidisciplinary education. Integrating academic scholarship with practical experience is an important step in holistic and multidisciplinary education. Towards this, the UGC has taken a new initiative of engaging Professor of Practice in Higher Educational Institutions (HEls).”
UGC New Guidelines – ‘Professor of Practice’ Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must be “distinguished specialists” in their fields, which includes:
- Engineering, Science, and Technology
- Entrepreneurship and Business
- Social Sciences, Media, Literature, and Fine Arts
- Civil Services, Armed Forces, and Law
- Panchayati Raj and Rural Development
- Watershed Development, Water Harvesting, and Organic Farming
- Small Green Energy Systems and Municipal Planning
- Community Involvement and Gender Budgeting
- Candidates must have at least 15 years of service or experience, preferably at a senior level, and must have demonstrated skill in their particular profession or job.
- A formal academic degree is not required for this post if the applicant has excellent practical experience in their respective fields.
UGC New Guidelines – ‘Professor of Practice’ Duties and Responsibilities
Candidates, who are selected for the ‘Professor of Practice’ position, must fulfil the following roles and responsibilities:
- Participate in the development and design of the curriculum and courses.
- Present new courses and lectures in accordance with institutional norms.
- Support students’ innovative and entrepreneurial projects and offer the required mentoring.
- Focus on enhanced industry-academia collaborations.
- Conduct workshops, seminars, special lectures, and training programmes in conjunction with regular faculty members of the school.
- Work together on a cooperative research project or provide consulting services with a regular faculty member from the relevant institutions.
UGC New Guidelines – ‘Professor of Practice’ Objectives
- To develop courses and curricula to meet industry and societal needs.
- To bring eminent experts from a variety of fields, such as engineering, science, technology, entrepreneurship, management, chartered accountancy (CA), commerce, social sciences, media, literature, fine arts, civil services, armed forces, and legal professions on a common stage.
- To enable various higher education institutes to work with industry experts on joint research projects and consultancy services that will be mutually beneficial.
UGC New Guidelines – Process of Recruiting ‘Professor of Practice’
- Vice-Chancellors and Directors of various institutions may issue invitations to recognised specialists for the position of ‘Professor of Practice’.
- The specialists who are willing to serve may also send their nominations to the Vice-Chancellor or Director along with a thorough profile and a concise description of how they may benefit the respective institute.
- A selection committee consisting of two senior professors from the respective institution and one esteemed outside member will take into account such nominations. The Academic Council, Executive Council, or other statutory authorities of that institute will make the decision about the engagement based on the recommendations of this committee.
Note:
- To read the UGC’s official guidelines regarding the position of ‘Profesor of Practice’, please click here.
- To read more about UGC’s guidelines, please click here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a ‘Professor of Practice’?
A ‘Professor of Practice’ is a teaching position that can be filled by industry and professional specialists without a PhD degree. In order to be eligible for the position, a person must be a “distinguished specialist,” must have made “notable achievements in their professions,” and above all, must have at least “15 years of experience”.
How many years of experience are needed to be eligible for the position of ‘Professor of Practice’?
Candidates must have at least 15 years of experience in their respective fields to be considered for the position of ‘Professor of Practice’.
Who can appoint a ‘Professor of Practice’?
Vice-Chancellors and Directors of various institutions may issue invitations to recognised specialists for the position of ‘Professor of Practice’. The specialists who are willing to serve may also send their nominations to the Vice-Chancellor or Director along with a thorough profile and a concise description of how they may benefit the respective institute. A selection committee consisting of two senior professors from the respective institution and one esteemed outside member will take into account such nominations. The Academic Council, Executive Council, or other statutory authorities of that institute will make the decision about the engagement based on the recommendations of this committee.
