Tamil Nadu Tops in Hiring Professors of Practice, Followed by Maharashtra and Gujarat

Tamil Nadu is at the forefront of hiring professors of practice (PoPs) in higher education, according to recent data from the University Grants Commission (UGC).

With a total of 1,841 appointments, Tamil Nadu significantly surpasses other states, with Maharashtra coming in second with 193 hires.

The role of a professor of practice is designed to integrate industry expertise into academic settings, enhancing the educational experience by bridging the gap between theory and practical application.

UGC guidelines established in 2022 advocate for the hiring of PoPs, requiring candidates to have at least 15 years of relevant professional experience.

This initiative aims to improve curriculum and mentorship, primarily within private universities, as central universities have only appointed 15 PoPs to date.

Among other states, Gujarat and Karnataka have hired 179 and 170 professors of practice, respectively.

In total, 349 higher education institutions have engaged in these appointments, highlighting a growing trend of employing industry professionals in academia.

Private universities lead the hiring efforts with 715 appointments, while deemed universities follow closely with 699. State universities account for 212, and colleges have added 200 PoPs.

The UGC emphasizes the importance of these roles, stating that the maximum term for a professor of practice should not exceed three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension under exceptional circumstances.

This approach allows distinguished professionals to contribute to the academic landscape, thereby shaping the future of education in India.