AICTE Chairman Launches Initiatives to Strengthen Industry-Academia Collaboration

AICTE has made a major advancement in bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application. Check details here

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has taken a major step towards bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application. AICTE Chairman, Prof. TG Sitharam, has unveiled new guidelines designed to enhance Industry-Academia Mobility. These guidelines include the appointment of Professors of Practice (PoP), Associate and Assistant PoP, and the promotion of women PoP through the BHARATI (Boosting Higher Education through Assimilation of Resilient and Talented Indian Women) initiative, facilitating knowledge exchange and increasing mobility.

While unveiling the guidelines, the AICTE Chairman highlighted, "This comprehensive framework underscores our commitment to excellence in higher education and fostering strong, sustainable linkages between academia and industry. Encouraging the appointment of Women Professors of Practice is a significant step towards gender equality in higher education and the professional sphere. These guidelines promote gender diversity, inclusivity, and seamless industry-academia collaboration, ensuring meritocracy remains central.”

Initiatives to Fund Professors of Practice

Prof. TG Sitharam announced that AICTE will soon introduce initiatives to fund Professors of Practice. He stated that AICTE will assume the responsibility of remunerating 100 women PoP under the BHARATI (Boosting Higher Education through Assimilation of Resilient and Talented Indian Women) initiative. Furthermore, he emphasised that this scheme will enable distinguished professionals and industry experts, particularly those who have experienced a career break, to make a successful comeback.

AICTE Vice Chairman Dr. Abhay Jere said, "Recognizing that acquiring 15 years of experience for the role of Professor of Practice can be challenging, we have introduced guidelines to appoint Associate Professors of Practice and Assistant Professors of Practice. These additional roles will ensure that a broader range of experienced professionals can contribute to our academic environment”.

The appointment of Professors of Practice is essential for bridging the gap between theory and practice in higher education. These professionals align academic curricula with industry needs, providing students with a deeper understanding of how theoretical concepts are applied in real-world scenarios. Their practical experience enhances student employability by exposing them to current industry practices, trends, and challenges.

Moreover, the movement of professionals between academia and industry is essential for fostering a dynamic and conducive educational environment. This two-way exchange facilitates the transfer of knowledge, with industry professionals bringing practical insights to academia, and academics applying their research to address real-world problems.

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