Universities retaining senior faculty to tackle NEP-2020 challenges: Education Minister

Srinagar, Mar 23: The government informed the Legislative Assembly that capable and experienced faculty members were retained in the universities to overcome the challenges during the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 in the Higher Education Department (HED).

This was stated by the Minister for Higher Education Sakina Itoo while replying to a question raised by MLA Narinder Singh regarding extending the age of superannuation of professors in the universities.

“Senior professors in universities are involved in multifarious research at universities of national and international levels and their continuation will be helpful in the supervision of research and projects in churning out the best talent in the university system to cater to the needs of the society as required under NEP 2020,” the Education Minister told the House.

She said that the challenge of NEP 2020, being across all the educational institutions including universities “provides a big reason for retaining capable and experienced faculty” by enhancing the age of superannuation in the universities.

The minister said that the age of superannuation for university professors was being extended by a Review Committee headed by the Chief Secretary as its chairman.

She said the committee comprises the Vice Chancellor of the concerned university and the Administrative Secretary Higher Education Department, J&K.

“The committee may co-opt a member from the Finance, Law Department, and Special Secretary or Additional Secretary from HED,” Itoo said.

She said that the Review Committee had decided to approve the extension of eligible superannuating professors for three years from 62 years to 65 years.

However, the Education Minister told the House that on the completion of each year, the concerned Vice Chancellor should review the performance in each case subject to the minimum benchmark relating to research publications, classroom teaching, academic contribution and overall work and conduct of the concerned in the preceding year.

“Continuation of such professors should be subject to attaining such minimum benchmark. The method has been meticulously structured to prevent any favouritism or a pick-and-choose approach, thereby, holding the principles of fairness and institutional integrity,” she told the House.

The minister said that each case was scrutinised in light of the laid down parameters including general conduct and behaviour in terms of integrity and reinforcing the credibility of the mechanism, leaving no scope for “arbitrary decision-making.”

She told the House that the enhancement of superannuation age of university professors was structured, and meticulously designed to ensure that extensions were granted solely on the basis of merit, eligibility criteria, and compliance with the established parameters.

“The mechanism is not intended to foster a culture of sycophancy but rather to uphold the highest academic and ethical standards in the selection process,” she said and told the House that J&K had implemented the NEP-2020 in letter and spirit.