AICTE chairman unveils new guidelines to strengthen industry-academia collaboration

New Delhi [India], June 19 : The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has taken a significant step towards bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application and the AICTE Chairman Prof. TG Sitharam has unveiled guidelines aimed at enhancing industry-academia mobility.
The guidelines include the appointment of Professors of Practice (PoP), Associate and Assistant PoP, increasing mobility of women PoP under the BHARATI (Boosting Higher Education through Assimilation of Resilient and Talented Indian Women) initiative and facilitating the knowledge exchange, a press release said.
While unveiling the guidelines, AICTE Chairman said, "This comprehensive framework underscores our commitment to excellence in higher education and fostering strong, sustainable linkages between academia and industry. The role of Professor of Practice bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, enriching the academic environment with real-world insights. Encouraging the appointment of Women Professors of Practice is a significant step towards gender equality in higher education and the professional sphere. These guidelines promote gender diversity, inclusivity, and seamless industry-academia collaboration, ensuring meritocracy remains central."
Prof. Sitharam announced that AICTE will soon introduce initiatives to fund Professors of Practice. He stated that AICTE will assume the responsibility of remunerating 100 women PoP under the BHARTI initiative, according to the press release.
Furthermore, he emphasised that this scheme will enable distinguished professional's/industry experts, particularly those who have experienced a career break, to make a successful comeback.
AICTE Vice Chairman Dr. Abhay Jere said, "Recognizing that acquiring 15 years of experience for the role of Professor of Practice can be challenging, we have introduced guidelines to appoint Associate Professors of Practice and Assistant Professors of Practice. These additional roles will ensure that a broader range of experienced professionals can contribute to our academic environment".
He also commended the committee, chaired by Prof. G.D. Yadav and Policy and Academic Planning Bureau of AICTE, for their dedicated efforts in preparing the comprehensive guidelines and shaping a framework that balances the inclusion of industry expertise with the academic rigour required for our institutions.
The press release further said that the appointment of Professors of Practice is essential for bridging the gap between theory and practice in higher education. These professionals align academic curricula with industry needs, providing students with a deeper understanding of how theoretical concepts are applied in real-world scenarios.
Their practical experience enhances student employability by exposing them to current industry practices, trends, and challenges. Moreover, Professors of Practice bring valuable industry connections, offering students internship opportunities, mentorship, and job placements.
The mobility of professionals between academia and industry is crucial for creating a dynamic and conducive educational environment. This bi-directional flow facilitates knowledge transfer, with industry professionals bringing practical insights to academia and academics applying their research to real-world problems.