NEW DELHI: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is planning to float a proposal to convert senior faculty positions to entry-level ones in an effort to tackle the issue of unavailability of candidates to fill these posts despite repeated advertisements, thus causing a significant number of posts to lie vacant.
As per the figures shared by JNU officials, there are 190 vacant positions in the University as on July 31 despite “repeated advertisements” seeking applications for the same. Of these 190 vacancies, 89 posts are designated for professors, 78 for associate professors and 23 for assistant professors.
Meanwhile, considering the category-wise vacancy, 42% of the 190 vacancies are in posts reserved for OBC (Other Backward Classes) candidates. Besides, 3% vacant posts are reserved for EWS (economically weaker section) category, 15% for Scheduled Castes, 11% for Scheduled Tribes and 8% for Persons with Disability.
According to a proposal discussed in a recently-held JNU Executive Council meeting, it was put forth that by ‘downgrading’ the senior faculty positions, the University will not only be able to fill vacancies, but will also save as much as Rs 36.77 crore annually. At associate professor level, Rs 16.05 crore will be saved on account of salaries while at the professor level, Rs 20.71 crore can be saved.
Arguing in favour of downgrading the faculty positions, university officials said the exercise will offer fresh employment opportunities, allow faculty to develop specialization in disciplines, and put lesser financial burden on the coffers of the central government by saving Rs 36.7 crore annually for the 168 unfilled positions.
Commenting on the development, JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit said, “We are planning to write to the Union Ministry of Education about our proposal. In downgrading, there will be lesser chances of mismatch between requirements for recruitment and profile of applicants, thus creating higher availability and a larger pool for the assistant professors’ post.”
“Experience shows that there is a higher probability of recruiting assistant professors compared to senior faculty like professors and associate professors. Professors/associate professors with decorated careers are less likely to move to JNU due to personal or other reasons; but the same isn’t true for assistant professors. Lastly, downgrading posts can be done without changing the category of the posts.”
‘Reduce burden on Centre’s coffers’
According to JNU officials, downgrading senior faculty positions will not only help the University to fill the vacant positions, but also put lesser financial burden on the coffers of the central government by saving `36.7 crore annually on salaries. Arguing in favour of downgrading faculty positions, officials said the exercise will offer fresh employment opportunities.
