The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Monday released draft guidelines for the recruitment of Vice Chancellors (VCs) at universities, proposing a significant change by allowing the appointment of industry experts and senior professionals from the public sector alongside academicians.
Currently, VCs must be distinguished academics with at least 10 years of experience as professors. However, the draft norms propose that individuals with at least 10 years of senior-level experience in industry, public administration, public policy, or public sector undertakings (PSUs), coupled with a proven track record of significant academic or scholarly contributions, also be considered for the role.
This move comes months after economist Ajit Ranade was removed as VC of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) due to a lack of the required teaching and research experience, despite his extensive expertise in his field.
The draft guidelines also seek to amend norms for hiring faculty, notably making those with a postgraduate degree in Master of Engineering (ME) or Masters of Technology (MTech) with at least 55 percent marks eligible for the post of assistant professor without the mandatory requirement of clearing the UGC National Eligibility Test (NET).
The revised guidelines aim to broaden the criteria for appointing VCs, with the selection committee now proposed to be a three-member panel comprising nominees from the Visitor or Chancellor, UGC, and the university’s apex body.
Furthermore, the guidelines explicitly state that if an applicant for the VC position is a member of the university’s apex body, they must recuse themselves from the meeting when nominees are being discussed.
The new norms also seek to broaden the recruitment criteria for faculty selection at all levels, aligning it with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. For instance, at the assistant professor level, anyone with a four-year undergraduate degree with 75 percent marks or a postgraduate degree with at least 55 percent marks and a Ph.D. degree will be eligible.
The regulations also aim to introduce specialized recruitment pathways to attract the best talent in fields such as Yoga, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Sculpture, and Drama, for the assistant professor level.
The UGC has uploaded the draft guidelines on its website for inviting feedback and suggestions. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that these guidelines will infuse innovation, inclusivity, flexibility, and dynamism into higher education, empowering teachers and academic staff while strengthening academic standards.
Key Changes:
VC Eligibility: Inclusion of industry and public sector professionals with relevant experience and scholarly contributions.
Faculty Hiring: Exemption of NET for M.Tech/M.E. holders, specialized pathways for arts and performance fields.
Selection Committee: Streamlined to a three-member panel with stricter rules for nominee participation.
