DU professors object to nod for foreign scholars
NEW DELHI: Several teachers of Delhi University have objected to the varsity’s decision to allow international scholars as adjunct faculty members in DU, at a time when the university has over 4,100 ad hoc teachers waiting to be regularised. They said the move will adversely impact the pay of such ad hoc teachers.
The decision to appoint global scholars as adjunct faculty was taken by the academic council on Tuesday and will be placed before the executive council, the highest decisionmaking body of the university, on August 31. This came after an August 3 meeting of senior university officials to discuss issues about the appointment of such teachers.
According to the minutes of that meeting, a copy of which is with HT, the six-member committee decided that international scholars, including those of Indian origin from the top 500 universities (as per QS rankings), could be involved in multiple teaching-learning activities in DU. The QS rankings are an annual rating published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and are one of the most widely followed rankings by academics and students.
According to the minutes, foreign scholars may be involved in teaching core and elective Masters courses; teaching of existing or newly designed courses to PhD students based on the individual’s area of expertise; co-supervision of PhD scholars; supervision of master’s dissertation; and other academic or research activities in consultation with the departments concerned.
“The teachers could also be involved in providing guidance to departments on securing external funding, student scholarships, internships, and “develop international collaborations, linkages with industry, patents and commercialisation of research,” the minutes said.
Academic council member Alok Pandey, who was one of four members who gave a note of dissent on the matter on Tuesday, said, “If the foreign faculty members start teaching core papers, the existing teachers will suffer. We have around 4,100 ad hoc teachers who have to take a minimum of 16 classes a week. If the number of classes is reduced, these teachers will be considered guest teachers, further reducing their pay. What is the need for appointing international faculty when we have no dearth of good teachers?”
Colleges may also consider appointing foreign teachers after securing approval from the governing body and dean of colleges, the DU said. Pandey said they agreed to the appointment of such teachers on a needs basis in departments that require scholars from specialised fields.
Former DU officials, however, said adjunct faculty were used globally for assisting teachers. “The current provisions leave room for increasing the workload of these international teachers and move towards contractualisation. The committee’s decision of allowing colleges to appoint such faculty members encourages that,” said Pankaj Garg, former AC member.
Defending the move, a senior DU official said, “Adjunct faculty members are to supplement the workload and are not appointed against the sanctioned posts. Our global and national rankings will improve if we have more collaboration and research work with international institutions and have global scholars guiding our students.”
“Budgetary provisions may be created for honorarium and local travel expenses... for appointment of adjunct faculty
THE DECISION TO APPOINT GLOBAL SCHOLARS AS ADJUNCT FACULTY WAS TAKEN BY THE ACADEMIC COUNCIL ON TUESDAY AND WILL BE PLACED BEFORE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON AUGUST 31
at the level of university. Departments may also sponsor adjunct faculties from internal sources with approval from the competent authority as per the implementation plans,” the minutes of the August 3 meeting said.
According to the plan, the department has to consult the staff council before forwarding the nomination of adjunct faculty to the dean with required justifications. Following this, a seven-member committee with dean (academics) as chair would forward the proposal to the competent authority.