UGC mulling to invite industry experts to teach at Central Universities

The UGC has also announced that it is no more mandatory to have PhD to teach in Central Universities. Read further to know more.

UGC mulling to invite industry experts to teach at Central Universities

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is planning to introduce a system under which industry experts can teach as full-time or part-time faculty members in central universities, as per the officials. The UGC has also announced that it is no more mandatory to have PhD to teach in Central Universities. The move is being taken by the commission so that all the industry experts who wish to teach and do not have PhDs can be appointed as assistant professors across Universities.

The official said special positions -- professor of practice and associate professor of practice will be created. Under the proposal, experts who are willing to teach can be hired as full time or part-time faculty members depending on what the university needs, the official said, adding that those who have retired at 60 will also be eligible for these positions and will be able to work till the age of 65.

This came up for discussion at the meeting of the UGC chairman with the vice-chancellors of central universities on Thursday. The UGC will form a committee to look into how this can be done and it will submit its report, the official said. There are also plans to set up a portal that will act as a single point for those willing to apply to a university. The plan, however, is at a very initial stage. A final confirmation is yet to be announced. 

Earlier, the central government had amended the UGC regulations that made PhD the minimum eligibility criteria for hiring assistant professors.

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