To teach in Universities now no need for PHd degree
PhD used to be a mandatory requirement to teach in many Central Universities. But gone are those days. In a significant move, University Grants Commission, UGC has decided to do away with the old ‘mandatory PhD requirement’ to have more industry experts as teachers in Universities.
Taking a step ahead, UGC reportedly is also planning to create new and unique positions, ones in which this requirement will not be there. Reports suggest that these new positions are likely to be Professors of Practice and Associate Professor of Practice.
UGC officials have further mentioned to reporters that the idea behind these new positions is to allow people with hands-on experience and industry work to come and share their knowledge with students. Further, it also strengthens the narrative where many experts want to teach but often can’t only because of no PhD degree.
If this plan gets executed well, UGC is likely to ensure that while recruiting or allowing ‘experts’ and ‘professors’ to teach, they would only check their industry experience and not consider a PhD degree under any of these unique positions.
As far as the nature of these unique positions goes, UGC has not clarified if they will be temporary or permanent. Such rules are likely to be flexible depending on the institute’s requirements and the expert(s) themselves. Further, there is a likelihood for the unique position to be of part-time role as well.
Candidates interested in this new opportunity can plan in their nascent stage.
Though we are yet to hear in detail, a committee shall be soon set to work the details.
“It opens up new avenues for people who are deeply interested in research but also want to impart that knowledge. Besides, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will pave the path for introducing UG students to the basics of research. Hence, it becomes imperative to have teachers who are well-equipped research,” Singh said.’
He further added that PhD is being made mandatory only for those joining university departments, but recruits who will teach in colleges have been provided with relaxation, which is “creating a false binary in the education system”.
“Assistant professors in both colleges and university departments draw the same salary, then why should their qualification requirements be different? Several assistant professors start their PhDs while working but leave midway because it is not a necessity as per the current rules. Making PhD mandatory will only reinforce the fact that teaching is not an easy job and only dedicated candidates must enter the field,” he added.
