AICTE Increases Industry Expert Faculty Quota to 20% in Engineering Colleges

• 26 Nov 2024

AICTE Increases Industry Expert Faculty Quota to 20% in Engineering Colleges

 

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has increased the proportion of faculty members in engineering colleges who can be industry experts, as part of its revised approval process handbook for the academic year 2025-26. The AICTE has raised the permissible percentage of "professors of practice" (PoP) from industry to 20% of the total faculty strength, up from 15% last year. The revised guidelines also include a provision to reserve 5% of these positions exclusively for women.\

 

According to AICTE’s updated rules, a maximum of 20% of faculty members in engineering and technology colleges can be appointed as professors of practice, with a specific 5% reserved for female professionals. The AICTE has also outlined the qualifications and experience required for different levels of professors of practice.

 

For assistant PoPs, candidates need a master's degree with five years of experience in a large organization, or a BTech degree with at least seven years of relevant work experience. For associate PoPs, a PhD with five years of experience, a master's degree with ten years of experience, or a BTech with twelve years of work experience is required. At the PoP level, candidates must have either a PhD with ten years of industry experience, a master's degree with fifteen years of experience, or a BTech with seventeen years of experience.

 

This policy change has been welcomed by engineering colleges, with many seeing it as an opportunity to bring more industry expertise into the classroom. P Deiva Sundari, principal of SRM Easwari Engineering College, commented that the revised rules would increase the pool of available industry professionals for teaching roles, as the previous rules limited appointments to senior industry leaders.

 

Abhay Meghanathan, vice-chairman of Rajalakshmi Group of Institutions, highlighted that there is growing interest among industry experts, particularly from the computer and electronics fields, to contribute to academic institutions. He emphasized that the additional 5% faculty allowance would help attract more such professionals into teaching.

 

However, some professors have expressed concerns regarding the new policy. They argue that the proposed relaxation could result in industry experts teaching postgraduate students despite having limited academic teaching experience, especially if their background includes just seven years in industry. Additionally, there are concerns that this move may impact the availability of full-time faculty members, as many industry professionals may not be able to dedicate themselves to teaching full-time.

 

Despite these concerns, the overall sentiment is one of optimism that this policy shift will foster closer ties between academia and industry, benefiting students with real-world insights and expertise.