A glimmer of hope has appeared on the horizon for teachers of Patna University (PU) awaiting promotion for years.

The process for promotion of teachers started on Thursday with PU holding a meeting of selection committee members after more than three months of uncertainty.

Teachers from the home science, personnel management and industrial relations and geology departments appeared before the selection committee members. The committee will sit for two days to assess teachers from the three departments awaiting promotions.

PU vice-chancellor (VC) Arun Kumar Sinha said: “The selection committee, which includes experts in respective subjects from different universities across the country, nominees of the chancellor and the state government and heads of departments concerned, would assess the candidates’ profiles.” Sinha would head the committee.

The committee members would assess the educational qualifications, the papers submitted during PhD and research works carried out by teachers to prepare a recommendation, which would be placed before the syndicate. Once the syndicate approves that, it would be notified. Sources said most teachers awaiting promotion were appointed between 1996 and 2003.

Varsity sources said around 50 teachers would be considered for promotion. A screening committee meeting in February this year cleared their names.

Rupam, an assistant professor at Patna Women’s College, said: “We have been waiting for promotion since 2007. The promotion process holds hope for us. Appointed in 2003, we are losing Rs 5,000 every month.”