332 universities across India to select top professionals as ‘Professors of Practice’
New Delhi: Recruitment for ‘Professor of Practice’ (POP) has started in universities across the country as Central Universities (CUs) have started adopting the POP scheme in various fields.
Till now, professionals have been appointed under the ‘Professor of Practice’ scheme in 32 higher educational institutions including central universities across the country.
UGC had asked to appoint practice professors during the meeting of Vice-Chancellors of all 45 central universities across the country.
‘Professors of practice’ are not people who are teachers by profession, or have a PhD. Rather they will be appointed to teach students in colleges on the basis of their professional experience. This Professor of Practice will teach students the subject in which he has proven expertise.
Till now, 11200 experts have sent online applications for the posts of ‘Professor of Practice’ in a total of 332 universities across the country.
Most of the appointments made so far are experts in computer science, marketing advances, engineering, hotel management and other fields.
However, under this scheme, professionals coming from different work fields must have at least 15 years of experience.
Under the POP scheme, a portal was launched where professionals with expertise from various fields including science, law, environment, industry, engineering, industry, media, climate, music, arts etc. can register themselves.
UGC has written a letter to all higher educational institutions regarding the rules for the appointment of Professor of Practice. The letter requested the Vice-Chancellors of Universities and Principals of Colleges to make necessary changes in their laws, ordinances, rules and regulations for the appointment of Professors of Practice in their institutions.
UGC says that universities are also sharing the action taken in this matter on their activity monitoring portal. Along with this, higher educational institutions have also changed their rules for appointment.
In this scheme, Professor of Practice is appointed for a fixed period. The initial tenure is for one year. However, extension may be given depending on the quality of service.
The UGC says that the post of Professor of Practice provides a unique opportunity to educational institutions to bring diverse skills to complement the efforts of the faculty member. Such positions attract people with exemplary experience from industry and other professions to teach students in colleges.
The UGC says it is continuously working with universities to encourage the appointment of experts as professors of practice.
