IIT federation ups ante,objects to HRD circular

On September 19,the forum drafted an open letter,which was addressed to HRD Minister Kapil Sibal,and it read: “It is disappointing to note that the revised circular did not address the fundamental concerns. In fact,it introduces more restrictive clauses,which will have serious,long-term ramifications on the ethos and culture of excellence of the IIT system.”

According to the forum,the poor salary structure and the restrictive clauses in the appointment of assistant professors will affect the quality of the institutes. “Your great vision of bringing about a reverse brain drain and infusing the rapidly expanding IIT system with the much needed influx of highly qualified faculty members will come to a complete halt,” read the letter. The faculty members believe that designating the post of “lecturer-cum-post doctoral fellows” to “assistant professor,who will be recruited on contractual basis” will not attract bright PhD candidates to the IIT system.

“The package — Rs 30,000 — given here is far below when compared to foreign universities and MNCs,” said a faculty member. Besides,aspirants are more interested in permanent jobs and no one wants to work on a contractual basis,the faculty member added.

According to the new rules,IITs,Indian Institute of Science and IIMs can recruit someone as a professor only if the person has spent at least four years as an associate professor in these institutes. The forum believes that this will prove a major hindrance in recruiting highly qualified scientists from research laboratories and industries.

The forum claims that the concept of a flexible cadre has helped the IITs to develop as centres of excellence. The faculty members have also objected to the move of the HRD ministry to put a cap of 40 per cent on the promotion of the professors to the next academic grade pay.

The forum argues that the IITs already have an open selection policy,whereby every promotion is based on stringent academic criteria in terms of effective teaching,research publications,sponsored/consultancy projects undertaken and corporate responsibilities.