In Bengal, a mixed reaction to UGC’s new proposal for academic recruitments, promotions

UGC draft guidelines on faculty appointment and promotion in West Bengal spark mixed reactions among educators and administrators.

The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new draft guidelines related to faculty appointment and promotion are drawing a mixed response from principals and teachers in West Bengal, where many universities remain without a full-time head due to disagreements between the State government and Governor.

The proposals drawing the biggest objections are the engagement of a Professor of Practice (experts/professionals/practitioners from non-academic fields) for teaching and research and placing the responsibility of appointing a Vice-Chancellor almost entirely on the Governor.

“The idea (of appointing Professor of Practice) flouts the principles of teaching - learning and research training in higher education institutions. This will harm academic excellence. Why should someone from another profession be engaged in the highest position of the academic profession? Does the same happen in other professions? Then why in academics — the knowledge-building process?,” asked Ishita Mukhopadhyay, professor of economics at the University of Calcutta.

She added: “As for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors becoming Governor’s responsibility, we have already seen how this (Government-Governor conflict) is bringing the political tussle between the ruling party and the Opposition into the campuses through direct intervention. This will further ruin the academic environment which has already deteriorated.”

Many principals welcome the proposal to make promotions in colleges less bureaucratic — and therefore less time-consuming — by involving more people of college-level, rather than university-level or the government, in selection committees. According to them, this can make the system easy and free from any top-heavy processes. Also welcomed was the promotion from the post of Associate Professor to Professor, the latter being a post that does not exist in most government-aided colleges.

“The proposal for the Principal’s post being term-bound for five years can be a help as well as a hindrance. It may generate a competitive environment among administrators and at the same time cause instability in colleges. A lengthier tenure gives chances to fulfil many visions and developmental plans in a college. And I think it should be left open to the Principal to decide whether he or she, after completion of tenure, should go back to the previous college as a Professor,” said Jaydeep Sarangi, principal of Kolkata’s New Alipore College.

Dr. Sarangi added: “A good advisory comprising dynamic and visionary principals, professors, and senior faculties may draft a healthy yet friendly order to execute things in a better way. Times change, and we should change ourselves accordingly. At times, ego serves as a big solid wall in academic institutions. But the same wall can have doors for a better tomorrow. We want those doors to open soon.”