DCE moots promotion for associate profs as profs in govt, aided colleges

Trichy: It may become possible for associate professors in government and aided arts and science colleges in Tamil Nadu to be promoted to professor if the government accepts the proposal sent by the director of collegiate education (DCE).
The plan was revealed last month when a similar proposal was submitted by the Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers Association (TNGCTA) to director of collegiate education R Sarumathi, during which she informed the members that a similar proposal was already sent to the government by the DCE. “We are expecting the posts to be created within three years as assured by DCE,” said G Ramesh, TNGCTA state vice-president.

TNGCTA members submitted a proposal relating to creation of professor post for teaching staff working in government/government aided colleges who have served at least three years as an associate professor. The post in these colleges was removed as part of change in nomenclature more than two decades back.

The move would enable teachers in such colleges eligible to apply for the post of vice-chancellor in universities where professorship was made essential, say academicians.

The new UGC guidelines issued in August 2018 has laid down the procedures which are to be followed while creating the post in colleges. The new regulations can be implemented in the colleges by way of government order and will likely benefit about 800 associate professors in 99 government colleges across the state apart from those in aided arts and science colleges.

Currently, only university teachers in the state are eligible to be elevated to professors, whereas their counterparts in colleges can only go up to associate professors starting from assistant professor.

Stating that it has been a 12-year-long demand, Ramesh said UGC’s previous guidelines issued a decade back on the creation of professor’s post was confusing owing to which it could not be implemented. “Previous UGC guidelines spoke on maintaining associate professors and professors in 10:1 ratio. However, we are happy that the new regulations stress on the appointment based on experience and performance of the faculty,” said TNGCTA state treasurer A Gopalakrishnan.

“However, we have asked for a screening committee instead of a selection committee for selecting eligible candidates as it may pay way for corruption,” he added.

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