Smart move: Students in front of NIT-Patna

The board of governors of National Institute of Technology (NIT)-Patna has decided to recruit teachers twice a year to overcome shortage of faculty.

NIT-Patna director Asok De said: “The board has decided that every year, NIT would carry out teacher recruitment twice a year. The process would continue till all vacant posts are filled.”

At present, the total sanctioned posts of teachers at NIT-Patna are 173 and only 105 are working. From August 7 to 12, the NIT administration carried out interviews of candidates for appointment of teachers in different positions. Though the final appointment process is yet to be completed, sources said the institution is not in a hurry to fill the posts at one go.

The NIT has decided to continue with the next appointment process in December for which advertisements would be issued in November.

Sources said the appointment of teachers would be carried out following the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the ministry of human resources development (MHRD) norms. The minimum criterion for applying for teachers’ post is a PhD degree.

A senior NIT-Patna teacher said: “The idea behind NIT-Patna going for continuous teacher appointment process is based on the procedure followed by the IITs so that best teachers are appointed.”

Earlier, NITs used to carry out recruitment in one go. In the rush to fill up posts, a lot of average people were hired.

In the teacher selection process, the NIT board of governors has decided to expand the selection committee. The board has decided to include one representative each from the woman, SC/ST, OBC and minority communities.

The institution director heads the NIT selection committee and its other members include the board of governors, one subject expert, one non-subject expert and senate members.

Because of teacher shortage, the NIT was banking heavily on the services of retired teachers and faculty from other institutions for teaching purposes.

A mechanical engineering student said: “Retired teachers take our classes sometimes. They are so old that their voices are not audible in the classes. Teachers from other institutions have vague concepts. Hope things would improve now.”