The Vice-Chancellors of Universities and College Principals have been asked by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to hire practice-based academics following the UGC’s requirements and policies. The UGC established rules earlier in August 2022 to employ professionals with experience in business and other fields in academic institutions through a new classification of jobs known as “Professor of Practice.” The National Education Policy 2020, which seeks to revolutionize higher education by emphasizing skill-based education to satisfy the demands of business and the economy, follows the UGC’s decision to pursue this step.
According to the requirements and following the rules, vice chancellors of universities and college principals are urged to take the appropriate actions to engage the “Professor of Practice,” according to UGC. The tenure of engaging experts may be initially for up to one year, and the maximum duration of service should not exceed three years.
The goal of hiring a “Professor of Practice” is to create curricula and courses that satisfy societal and industrial objectives while giving HEIs access to industry experts in various subjects. The specialists may come from multiple disciplines, including, but not limited to, engineering, science, technology, business management, chartered accounting (CA), commerce, social sciences, and literature.
Exceptional contributions in their domains, including engineering, science, technology, entrepreneurship, and public administration, are among the requirements for hiring specialists. For consideration as a Professor of Practice, candidates must have at least 15 years of service or experience in their chosen field, ideally at a senior level. They must have demonstrated knowledge in that field.
The creation and design of curricula will be among the experts’ tasks and obligations. New course offerings and lecture delivery following institutional norms. They should support students’ innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives while providing the required mentoring for these endeavors.
