Nurturing Experience to Revitalise Indian Higher Education
Indian universities, along with a robust network of research institutions, have played a pivotal role in our scientific progress. Promotion of critical thinking, nurturing of talent, and creation of infrastructure that is essential for scientific research are some of the key roles played by universities.
Some of the Indian universities and research institutions are hubs of excellence and home to world-class faculty. Dedicated and experienced faculty are considered the cornerstone of an institution, which brings academic maturity to its scholars and promotes research that propels its progress.
The research not only generates new knowledge but also refines existing one and provides evidence-based solutions for various complexities. The knowledge generated is transformed into new technologies that enhance the quality of life and provides a stimulus to the economic growth of a country.
Realizing the importance of senior and research-active faculty, “Anusashan National Research Foundation”(ANRF) unveiled a prestigious fellowship scheme, “Prime Minister’s Professorship,” to harness the knowledge and experience of eminent and senior scientists of Indian origin working in academic and research institutions within and outside the country.
Though there have been some schemes and policies in the past, whereby universities could engage retired faculty, which include the UGC Fellowship scheme for faculty and re-employment schemes of some universities, like Delhi University and Anna University, but these initiatives faced various impediments, which included policy/ regulatory challenges, financial constraints, protracted approval processes, and resistance from young faculty etc.
Variation in the regulatory frameworks of central, state, and private universities further complicates the engagement of retired faculty with experience-based competence. Recognizing the challenges on the ground, ANRF designed a targeted scheme last year to bridge the policy intent with practical needs.
The scheme has well-defined objectives of utilizing the services of active and experienced scholars with a proven track record of contribution to strengthen the academic ecosystem of less-endowed institutions.
Reasonable measures appear to have been taken to address the loopholes and deficiencies observed in similar previous initiatives. The roles and responsibilities of the awardees of the professorship are well defined in the scheme. The prohibition of accepting any administrative role by the awardee in the host institution clearly underscores the intent to ensure that he pays undivided attention to research and intellectual objectives.
The scheme thus insulates the awardee from the administrative burdens, besides preventing role conflicts as an academician and administrator. The absence of an upper age limit for the applicants is a reflection of the scheme’s inclusive and progressive outlook, which is in accordance with the research ecosystem of advanced nations, where there is no upper age limit for retirement for active researchers.
Though many institutions in the country have initiated upgrading its faculty as per the requirements of the new education policy, where emphasis is being laid on real-world problems and their solutions. Appointment of professor of practice, industrial collaborations and establishment of incubation centers are some of the steps taken by the universities to orient their research and academic activities to NEP.
However, the outcome has not been very promising so far. It is probably with the aforesaid background that ANRF has kept a provision for industrial professionals to avail a PM professorship in universities. Such initiatives will surely bring industrial experiences into universities and improve the curriculum as per current industrial requirements.
The robust and rigorous selection process, coupled with an interim evaluation, makes the scheme result-oriented.
Notwithstanding the positive impact and well-intentioned design of the scheme, it is useful to reflect on certain limitations that, if addressed, could enhance its overall effectiveness.
Since the fellowship is to utilize the services of highly experienced faculty and industrial professionals, it is expected that the catchment for the programme will comprise of applicants/aspirants who are already senior citizens or going to enter that phase.
It will be appropriate if we soften some criteria or parameters to make the fellowship more attractive for the above mentioned class of aspirants. There are fellowships that can be availed only if the recipient agrees to move from their present institute, but such fellowships are generally for young researchers who are in the initial phase of career building.
PM professorship is for senior professionals or academicians and shifting from the existing place of work may constrain them from accepting the fellowship.
The shifting of work place needs to be incentivized by providing housing support or university accommodation at least for fellows who are senior citizens, if not for all.
Though the quantum of fellowship has been kept appropriate and reasonable, senior faculty who are superannuated from the university services may consider it less than their monthly pension.
Although the current quantum of fellowship is well calibrated and appears reasonable under existing norms, it may be perceived as relatively less attractive by senior faculty who are superannuated from university services. This perception is likely to become more pronounced with the prospective implementation of the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission, which is expected to substantially enhance pensionary benefits.
In such a scenario, the fellowship amount may not serve as a sufficient incentive to encourage the participation of highly experienced and distinguished retirees, whose engagement is critical to achieving the intended objectives.
A periodic review or suitable rationalization of the fellowship structure may therefore be considered to ensure continued attractiveness and effective utilization of senior academic expertise.
Retired faculty members who are reappointed in another university are expected to initiate and incubate new research and academic ideas that stem from their extensive experience. However, the effective translation of such ideas into tangible outcomes requires some research manpower.
In the absence of such dedicated manpower, the potential contribution of PM professors may remain underutilized. It is therefore imperative that a provision be made for the purpose by dedicating a component of fellowship for one or two research fellows in the amount of research grant for PM professor.
It is not only the scientific and technological advancement that is required for the emergence of India as a global knowledge leader, but a deep understanding of society, institutions, and human behaviour are equally important.
The PM Professorship scheme is expected to evolve to a form that is highly beneficial for overall growth, it offers an important opportunity to further strengthen its impact by including social sciences in its ambit. The leading research ecosystems of the world lay emphasis on multidisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity to solve complex problems that have a social relevance.
There exists a scope to extend the spirit of the scheme, and state governments can play an augmenting role. While national initiatives set broad directions, states are uniquely positioned to respond to region-specific academic, social, cultural, and developmental needs.
The scheme, if carefully fine-tuned at the state level, can effectively respond to regional requirements.
Overall, the Prime Minister’s Professorship scheme is indeed a timely and forward-looking intervention in the higher education landscape of the country.
The scheme will set a strong template to strengthen the academic ecosystem by recognizing and nurturing the experience.
The author is presently associated with the University of Kashmir and is among the first recipients of the PM Professorship
