Overhaul of Appointment Process in Higher Education

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued new regulations to revise the appointment process for Vice-Chancellors in universities. This gives Governors, who often serve as Chancellors, more power in appointing Vice-Chancellors. The position is also now open to industry experts and public sector veterans, moving away from the tradition of selecting only academicians.

Key Changes and Implications

• Governor's Role: The regulations potentially give Chancellors greater control over Vice-Chancellor appointments, possibly affecting states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala, where disputes exist between the government and the Governor over academic appointments. 
• Search-cum-Selection Committee: The Search-cum-Selection Committee will now be constituted by the Chancellor/Visitor, comprising three experts. Previously, it was not specified who would form the committee. 
• Eligibility for Vice-Chancellors:
  • Industry experts and individuals from public policy, public administration, or public sector undertakings can now be considered for Vice-Chancellor positions.
• Removal of Academic Performance Indicators (API):
  • The API system, which quantified academic performance, is replaced by an evaluation of "notable contributions" in nine categories, including teaching in Indian languages and research in Indian Knowledge Systems.
• Expanded Candidate Requirements: Candidates need a minimum of ten years of experience, either as a professor or in senior roles in industry or public sectors, with significant academic or scholarly contributions. 
• Removal of Contract Teacher Cap: The cap on contract teacher appointments has been lifted to provide more flexibility due to faculty shortages in many state universities. 

Additional Details

• Cross-Disciplinary Flexibility:
  • Teachers can be appointed in subjects where they hold a PhD, even if their undergraduate or postgraduate degrees are in different fields, promoting a multidisciplinary approach as per NEP 2020.

Conclusion

The draft regulations are designed to broaden the pool of candidates for leadership roles in higher education, ensure a clear selection process, and encourage a multidisciplinary ecosystem within universities. The changes align with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to foster innovation and collaboration between academia, industry, and society.