Mangaluru: The higher education institutions in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are increasingly appointing professors of practice (PoP) to strengthen industry–academia collaboration in line with the National Education Policy (NEP).

PoPs are a new category of faculty members drawn from industry and professional practice, appointed for fixed terms to bring real-world experience into classrooms. Though they may not have prior academic teaching experience, they contribute to teaching, research and mentoring, and are expected to help bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application.

Deemed-to-be universities in the region began adopting the model over the last two years. Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), which started appointing PoPs from 2023, currently has six of them. Vice-chancellor Dr Gangadhara Somayaji said the appointments cover areas such as commerce, computer science, management, nephrology and oncology. A separate committee oversees the appointments, and the PoPs visit the campus three to four times a year. An industry expert serving as PoP in allied health is providing insights on emerging requirements, employability and job opportunities for students, he said.Nitte (Deemed to be University) has around 30 PoPs across disciplines, according to vice-chancellor MS Moodithaya. He said the university has eight each in engineering and medical, six in pharmacy, four in management, two in architecture and one in mass communication.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) appointed PoPs at its campuses in Manipal, Mangaluru and Bengaluru, vice-chancellor Lt Gen MD Venkatesh said. He noted that UGC guidelines prescribe an upper limit on the number of PoPs an institution can appoint. MAHE brought them in for technology, management and other academic fields. Venkatesh said the arrangement benefits students and faculty, and that PoPs are also contributing to curriculum enhancement by tailoring it to industry needs.

The University Grants Commission introduced the PoP scheme in 2022, aligning it with NEP 2020’s emphasis on integrating vocational education with general education. Under the scheme, PoP positions are not open to serving or retired teachers.

St Agnes College also appointed PoPs for commerce and science courses. A college representative said the industry experts offer insights beyond textbooks and help students build industry connections, adding that some PoPs are former students with several years of industry experience.

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