New Delhi: From retired veterinarians to civil servants, finance experts to engineers, lawyers to entrepreneurs, professionals from diverse fields are making a shift into academia, taking on roles as professors of practice (PoPs) at various higher education institutions across the country. This is part of the central government’s initiative to bridge the existing gap between industry and academia.
Launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in September 2022, the Professor of Practice (PoP) scheme allows higher education institutions to hire industry professionals and subject-matter experts on a contractual basis. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
According to official UGC data, more than 16,000 experts from across the country have registered for the scheme on the PoP portal, with approximately 500 higher education institutions signing up to hire these professionals.
So far, around 500 experts have been appointed as PoPs under the initiative.
The professors of practice are being hired for a fixed term of not more than four years, and their strength cannot exceed 10 percent of the sanctioned faculty posts at any given time.
The majority of experts being hired come from engineering backgrounds, followed by health sciences, marketing, human resources, and microbiology, UGC officials told ThePrint.
UGC chairperson M. Jagadesh Kumar told ThePrint that universities have given overwhelmingly positive feedback about the scheme. “Industry professionals are bringing a wealth of diverse experience into academia, and their extensive networks are benefiting both students and faculty. This is fostering stronger ties between educational institutions and industry, paving the way for more effective collaborations.”
Earlier this month, commission also proposed to open doors for industry experts for the positions of vice-chancellors in universities, and institutionalise the PoP scheme under the proposed norms for hiring of faculty members.
Bridging industry-academia gap
Subhasish Acharya, a current PoP at the School of Business, Northcap University, Gurugram, joined academia under the scheme after nearly 29 years in the industry, during which he observed a significant gap between industry practices and academic learning.
With experience spanning manufacturing, banking, and life insurance, Acharya is uniquely positioned to bring practical industry knowledge into the classroom. He has been teaching financial management and Indian financial systems, blending real-world experience with theoretical concepts.
“For instance, when teaching the concept of modified duration, I not only explain the theoretical calculations but also link it to real-world applications. Let us say we are in 2025, and I ask students to calculate the modified duration of a 2035 government security. This approach connects the theory to tangible, real-life scenarios,” he told ThePrint.
Similarly, Rajendra Prasad Gupta, a former civil servant with 20 years of experience in the Indian Postal Service, now serves as a PoP at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune, where he teaches public policy, planning, and implementation. “My work experience is directly related to the subject I teach. When you have hands-on experience in the real world, you bring a unique set of insights to the classroom,” he told ThePrint.
In addition to teaching, Gupta plays a key role in placements and internships, leveraging his industry connections to broaden opportunities for students.
“I help students connect with a wider range of recruiters and work on collaborations with other colleges to expand opportunities,” he added.
Prabhat Kumar Singh, a retired veterinarian from the Uttar Pradesh government’s department of animal husbandry, now serves as a PoP at the Central University of South Bihar. Specialising in embryo transfer with over 35 years of experience, Singh teaches undergraduate students. Reflecting on his career, he noted, “There is often a significant gap between what is taught in classrooms and the practical realities of the industry.”
It was this disconnect that made Singh join academia to bridge the divide and ensure that students are equipped with the latest technologies and practices. “I want to teach students how to identify the real problems farmers face and develop practical solutions that can be implemented on the ground,” he explained to ThePrint.
As part of his approach, Singh has established a dairy farm on campus, giving students hands-on experience to better understand the realities of dairy farming. “My goal is to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to make meaningful contributions to the agricultural sector,” he said.
Students are also experiencing the impact of PoPs on their learning experiences.
A law student at OP Jindal Global University, who wished not to be named, told ThePrint that having someone from the industry as a professor makes a huge difference. “They bring real-life experiences into the classroom, which makes every subject much clearer and more relatable. In a field like law, PoPs are especially valuable because they also guide students toward the right internships.”
M.N. Suresh, an engineering student at Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) Deemed to be University, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “The best part of having PoPs with industry connections is that they help link students with the right people in the industry and the job market. It is incredibly beneficial for us as students.”
PoPs not limited to teaching roles
Some universities are expanding the role of PoPs beyond teaching, even tapping them for leadership positions. For example, GITAM, a private deemed to be university with campuses in Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, has hired PoPs for three key roles—teaching, research, and leadership.
K.N.S. Acharya, pro vice-chancellor of GITAM’s Bengaluru campus, brings 22 years of experience in the automotive and mechanical sectors. He was appointed to an academic leadership role under the PoP scheme. He said that currently, the university has at least seven experts as PoPs, most of whom have engineering backgrounds.
Reflecting on his own experience, Acharya said, “The university was struggling to establish a research centre, which is crucial for us from an industry perspective. But I was able to bring in industry collaborations, and within six months, we successfully set up the ‘MURTI Research Centre’ with an investment of Rs 15 crore. This is the kind of value professionals from industry can bring.”
Acharya emphasised the importance of a mindset shift on both sides to make the PoP model work effectively. “For this to succeed, both the industry professionals and the academic institutions need to change their mindset. University management must make firm decisions, carefully select professionals they want to bring in, and provide an environment that allows them to thrive within the system.”
Meanwhile, professor Gupta from Gokhale Institute told ThePrint that traditional academia has yet to fully recognise its potential, while advocating for changes in the structure of PoP roles. “Tenure of PoPs should be at least five years; currently, it is only three to four years. Academicians should also be encouraged to gain industry experience to enrich their knowledge. This flow of knowledge between academia and industry would benefit both sides.”
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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