UGC approves draft guidelines to appoint ‘Professor of Practice’ in Universities and colleges

The University Grants Commission (UGC) approved the draft guidelines for engaging ‘Professor of Practice’ in Universities and colleges on August 23. 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, the legal profession and public administration, among others will be made to enrol as professors of practice.
The decision was made at the 560th meeting of the UGC and will soon be made public for feedback by stakeholders. The decision was taken to promote the National Education Policy 2020, which seeks to transform higher education by focusing on skill-based education to meet the needs of the industry and the economy.
“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,” told UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar.
“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,” added him.