UGC approves draft guidelines for engaging 'Professor of Practice' in universities, colleges

In order to meet the demands of the industry by focusing on skill-based education, the University Grant Commission (UGC) has approved the draft guidelines for engaging 'Professor of Practice' in Universities and colleges after the 560th meeting of the UGC. It will be soon made public for feedback.

"For skilling of youth at the optimum level, learners are required to think like employers and employers are to think like learners. Towards this, the UGC has taken a new initiative to bring the industry and other professional expertise into the academic institutions through a new category of positions called 'Professor of Practice,' UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar told ANI.

UGC Chairman added that including 'Professor of Practice' will enhance the faculty resources in higher education institutions (HEIs).


"This will help to take real-world practices and experiences into the classrooms. In turn, the industry and society will benefit from trained graduates equipped with the relevant skills," the UGC Chairman said.

The objectives of the draft guidelines include;

• Developing courses and curricula to meet the industry and societal needs
• Enabling the HEIs to work with industry experts on joint research projects and consultancy services
• Bringing distinguished experts from various fields into the academic institutions, etc.

'Professor of Practice'
In order to engageas a 'Professor of Practice' in universities and colleges the eligibility criteria include distinguished experts who have made remarkable contributions in their professions from various fields such as engineering, science, technology, entrepreneurship, commerce, social sciences, media, literature, fine arts, civil services, armed forces, legal profession and public administration among others.

Service terms

• The maximum duration of service of 'Professor of Practice' at a given institution should not exceed three years.
• It is extendable by one year in exceptional cases.
• The total service should not exceed four years under any circumstances.
• The number of these experts in an institute should not exceed 10 per cent of the sanctioned posts, reads the notification.

With inputs from ANI