The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has taken a significant step towards transforming higher education in line with the National Education Policy 2020. The policy emphasizes skill-based education to meet the needs of the industry and the economy. To this end, the UGC has introduced a new category of positions called “Professor of Practice” (PoP) in universities and colleges across the country.
What is Professor of Practice (PoP)?
The Professor of Practice is a unique position designed to bring industry and other professional expertise into academic institutions. The aim is to infuse real-world practices and experiences into the classrooms, thereby augmenting the faculty resources in higher education institutions. This initiative is expected to benefit the industry and society by producing graduates equipped with relevant skills.
Ideology Behind the Initiative
The ideology behind this initiative is to bridge the gap between academia and industry. It seeks to integrate vocational education with general education and strengthen industry-academia collaboration in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The initiative encourages learners to think like employers and vice versa, fostering a more symbiotic relationship between education and industry.
How Professionals Can Apply
Distinguished experts from various fields such as engineering, science, technology, entrepreneurship, commerce, social sciences, media, literature, fine arts, civil services, armed forces, legal profession, community development, panchayati raj, rural development, watershed development, water-harvesting, organic farming, small green energy systems, municipal planning, community participation, gender budgeting/planning, inclusive development of tribals and public administration among others, who have made remarkable contributions in their professions with at least 15 years of service/experience, preferably at a senior level, are eligible to apply for the position of Professor of Practice.
A formal academic qualification is not considered essential for this position if they have exemplary professional practice in lieu. These experts will also be exempted from the requirement of publications and other eligibility criteria stipulated for the recruitment of faculty members at the Professor level. However, they should possess the skills to carry out the duties and responsibilities specified in the guidelines.
The number of Professors of Practice in a Higher Education Institution (HEI), at any point in time, should not exceed 10% of the sanctioned posts in a HEI. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for professionals to contribute to higher education and share their expertise with the next generation of learners.
How Universities Can Participate
Universities and colleges can participate in this initiative by engaging Professors of Practice in one of the following categories: funded by Industries, funded by HEIs from their own resources, or on an Honorary basis. The engagement may be initially for up to one year, with a maximum duration of service not exceeding three years. This can be extended by one year in exceptional cases, but the total service should not exceed four years under any circumstances.
Launch of Dedicated Web Portal
To facilitate this initiative, the UGC launched a dedicated web portal on May 16th, 2023. The portal provides comprehensive information about the initiative, answers to frequently asked questions, and a platform for professionals and HEIs to register and participate. You can access the portal here: https://pop.ugc.ac.in/
Current Information about the Portal
As of the date of this blog post, the portal shows that there are 1898 registered experts and 28 registered HEIs. The portal is continually updated with the latest information and statistics related to the initiative.
The Professor of Practice initiative is a promising step towards enhancing the quality of higher education in India. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, it aims to produce graduates who are not only academically proficient but also industry-ready.
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