A PhD must for Assistant Professor's post, says UGC
(UGC) has reiterated that PhD is mandatory for being promoted to the post of an Associate Professor in any varsity or college in the country
Bengaluru: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has reiterated that PhD is mandatory for being promoted to the post of an Associate Professor in any varsity or college in the country. However, according to the set of UGC 2018 Draft Rules, the study leave granted for pursuing PhD will not be added to the teaching experience.
“The period of leave taken for pursuing Research Degree (PhD) shall not be counted as teaching experience for the purpose of direct recruitment/promotion,” the draft stated.
At the same time, it has also been proposed that it is mandatory that a candidate should score a minimum of 55% marks at the Masters level to be eligible for direct teaching recruitment.
Reacting to these guidelines, Vice-Chancellor of Bengaluru Central University (BCU) Dr S Japhet felt that these would hold academic staff accountable for their contributions to their respective domains.
“The period of leave taken to pursue research not being considered as teaching experience will avoid those who have used such provisions as double privileges to repeat so,” he opined. On the other hand, Article 17 of the draft rules which mentions the ‘Code of Professional Ethics’ has been discussed widely among educationists at the moment.
The UGC has proposed that teachers should “Refrain from taking part in or subscribing to or assisting in any way activities, which tend to promote feeling of hatred or enmity among different communities, religions or linguistic groups.”
They are also expected to actively work towards National Integration, aiding students to develop “an understanding of our national heritage and national goals.” With regard to their relationship with the guardians of the students, the UGC has recommended that they maintain contacts with them, regularly sending performance reports across to them. “Whenever necessary, they should meet the guardians in meetings convened for the purposed for mutual exchange of ideas and for the benefit of the institution,” the draft alludes.
The UGC has published the drafted regulation on their official portal and has sought feedback, comments and suggestions from various stakeholders and general public. According to the Commission, the above mentioned can be mailed to ugcregulations2017@gmail.com on or before February 28, with regard to the format provided.