October 01, 2022

UGC Opens Professor of Practice Position to Experts: PHD Not Mandatory

P Professors of Practice—a faculty position that can be held by professionals from business and other industries even without formal academic credentials—will now be permitted in institutions of higher learning, according to new regulations issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

According to the new rules, Professors of Practice with a maximum tenure of four years may hold up to 10% of all authorised positions in a higher education institution. The qualified applicants must be "distinguished experts who have made remarkable contributions in their professions" in fields like media, the armed forces, and social sciences, among others, and must have at least 15 years of experience in their field.

…according to the guidelines, "a formal academic qualification is not considered essential... if they have exemplary professional practise in lieu," for the newly created position…

At the moment, obtaining a position as an associate or regular professor requires a PhD, but according to the guidelines, "a formal academic qualification is not considered essential... if they have exemplary professional practise in lieu" for the newly created position.

The requirements for publications and other eligibility requirements set forth for the hiring of professor-level faculty members will not apply to these experts, said a UGC source. He however noted that applicants should be capable of handling the tasks and obligations listed in the rules.

The UGC claimed that the change will help "augment faculty resources" in universities and colleges while also bringing real-world examples and experiences into the classrooms, where graduates are currently being produced "who fall short of the required skills."

There are now three new categories: professors of practise supported by businesses, professors of practise supported by institutions of higher learning using their own funds, and professors of practise supported on an honorarium basis.

Posted in News and tagged News, Professor of Practice, University Grants Commission (UGC), PHD, Faculty Resources, Universities
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