What’s behind Maharashtra’s growing appetite for industry professors?

A new face is appearing in Indian university classrooms. Not always a career academic, not always a lifelong researcher, but a corporate leader, a technology specialist, an entrepreneur with years of field experience. The shift is deliberate, backed by policy, and increasingly visible in states such as Maharashtra.

Data from the University Grants Commission (UGC) show that Tamil Nadu leads the country in appointing Professors of Practice (PoPs), with Maharashtra following closely. Gujarat and Karnataka have also recorded strong numbers, pointing to a wider effort to tighten the link between universities and industry.

A policy with a clear intent

The UGC issued guidelines in 2022 to formalise the appointment of Professors of Practice. The aim was simple: invite distinguished professionals with at least 15 years of relevant experience, preferably in senior roles, to teach, mentor, and help design courses that reflect industry and societal needs.

These posts are temporary. They do not replace sanctioned faculty positions. The tenure is limited to three years and can be extended by one additional year in exceptional cases.

“In order to bring in distinguished experts from various fields of engineering, science, technology, entrepreneurship, etc., and to develop courses and curriculum to meet the industry and societal needs and to enable the HEIs to work with industry experts on joint research project, concept of professor of practice has been adopted, and thereby provide exposure and mentorship to students by domain experts,” a senior UGC official told PTI.

“The maximum duration of service of a professor of practice at a given institution should not exceed three years and is extendable by one year in exceptional cases, and the total service should not exceed four years under any circumstances,” the official added.

Maharashtra’s advantage

Maharashtra’s strong performance is closely tied to its economic profile. The state houses India’s financial capital and a wide network of industries, from finance and information technology to manufacturing and start-ups. Universities here have ready access to senior professionals who can step into academic roles, often on an honorary basis.

According to UGC data, 1,841 Professors of Practice have been appointed across 349 Higher Education Institutions nationwide. Maharashtra accounts for 193 of these appointments. Gujarat has appointed 179, and Karnataka has appointed 170. Tamil Nadu remains at the top.

The reasons are practical. Universities want students who are not only academically qualified but also industry-ready. A senior executive explaining real-time project failures or regulatory hurdles often leaves a deeper mark than textbook examples. Institutions also gain through collaborative research and joint projects.

Private institutions lead

The numbers reveal another layer. Private universities have made 715 PoP appointments. Deemed-to-be universities follow with 699. State universities have added 212, and colleges 200. Central universities, by contrast, have appointed just 15.

With 56 central universities, 460 state universities, 128 deemed-to-be universities, 510 private universities, and over 45,000 colleges in India’s higher education system, the scheme’s reach is still limited. But in states like Maharashtra, the appetite is stronger.

More than a trend

The Professor of Practice model signals a change in how expertise is valued. Academic credentials remain important. But lived experience, navigating markets, building companies, managing crises, now has a formal place in the university structure.

The senior UGC official said the scheme also allows professionals in leadership roles to contribute to nation-building by sharing their knowledge with students.

Maharashtra’s numbers suggest that when universities are located close to thriving industries, collaboration becomes easier, and hiring from industry becomes logical.

The classroom is no longer an isolated space. In several institutions across Maharashtra, it now carries the voice of the marketplace alongside the language of scholarship.

(With inputs from PTI)Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!