Retired teachers can now work as guest faculty till 70

Bhartesh Singh Thakur
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 29

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has conveyed to all universities that superannuated teachers could work as guest faculty “subject to a maximum age limit of 70 years”.

The UGC mentioned it, in a letter dated January 28, conveyed to all university registrars, on revised guidelines for enhancement of rates of honorarium for guest faculty.

As per new rules, honorarium for guest faculty be enhanced to Rs 1,500 per lecture subject to a maximum of Rs 50,000 per month. At present, PU gives Rs 1,000 per lecture subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000 per month.

“UGC revision of enhancement in rates of honorarium is welcome. We will work towards it to get it implemented,” said Prof Rajat Sandhir, Syndic and Senator.

For implementing new guidelines at PU, nod from Syndicate, which is the governing body of the varsity, is required. “Rs 25,000 per month is quite low. But with Rs 50,000 per month, we could get quality guest faculty. Teachers can work up to 70 years also. A number of departments are facing shortage of faculty. So, with this step we will be able to reduce it,” said Prof Navdeep Goyal, Syndic and Senator.

The guest faculty could be appointed only against sanctioned post. “However, for the universities where the sanctioned posts are not adequate as per the teaching working load, the number of guest faculty to be appointed can be up to 20 % over and above the sanctioned posts,” said the letter.

The qualification for guest faculty shall be the same as those prescribed for the regular assistant professors of universities or colleges in the UGC regulations.

The selection procedure for appointing guest faculty will be the same as in case of assistant professors. The selection panel will have Vice-Chancellor (VC) or his nominee, one expert nominated by VC, Dean of faculty concerned and chairperson of the department. Also, an academician, representing SC/ST/OBC/minority/women or differently abled categories, has to be nominated by VC or acting VC, if candidates from these categories are applicants. Four members, including an outside expert, is required for quorum.

The guest faculty will not be treated like regular teachers for the purpose of voting rights or for becoming the members of various statutory bodies of university.

The guest faculty will not be given the benefit of allowances, pension, gratuity and leave as admissible to the regular teachers.

New rules

As per new rules, honorarium for guest faculty be enhanced to Rs 1,500 per lecture subject to a maximum of Rs 50,000 per month. At present, Panjab University gives Rs 1,000 per lecture subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000 per month.