Asst. professor, and not guest lecturer anymore

In a significant move, Bharathidasan University has changed the nomenclature of guest lecturers to assistant professors.

The University Syndicate, which met here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor P. Manisankar, approved the resolution unanimously.

The decision will benefit 362 guest lecturers in 10 constituent colleges at Orathanadu, Perambalur, Veppur, Lalgudi, Inamkulathur, Aranthangui, Tiruthuraipoondi, Nannilam, Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam.

The move will benefit only guest lecturers appointed on consolidated pay and have no bearing on those who work on hourly basis.

The guest lecturers will be designated as assistant professors. But they will continue to receive consolidated pay and there is no change in the existing pay structure.

At present, the salary is disbursed under three slabs: Rs. 12,000 (post-graduates), Rs. 13,000 (M.Phil holders) and Rs. 15,000 (doctorates) per month.

Dr. Manisankar told The Hindu that an order would be issued in a few days. The guest lecturers had been raising the demand since the constituent colleges were established, and the issue was raised in senate meetings too. The University Syndicate had approved the move to change the nomenclature of guest lecturers, considering their career progression.

Despite possessing necessary qualifications, the old nomenclature had prevented them from guiding research scholars. The new nomenclature would enable them to apply for guideship. On receiving the order for guideship, assistant professors of constituent colleges could guide research scholars as well, Dr. Manisankar added.

On raising the salary slabs of assistant professors, the Vice-Chancellor said the possibilty would be explored when the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations were given effect for university faculty and non-faculty members.

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