The programme is designed to incentivise participation by offering a stipend of Rs 1 lakh, which will be jointly funded by AICTE. (Express File)In order to bridge the industry-academia gap, the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has introduced a new industry fellowship programme for technical education professors. In this first-of-its-kind initiative, select professors will get to work in a listed company for up to a year as part of efforts to incorporate industry experience into their teaching, making students more industry-ready.AICTE and the employer will jointly pay Rs 1 lakh to the professor in addition to his/her salary. The innovative scheme was approved by the council’s Executive Committee meeting held last month.A pilot of the scheme will be announced soon to invite applications for 300 spots for the 2025-26 academic year. Of this, 200 faculty members will be allowed to undertake a continuous one-year industry assignment, while 100 others can opt for six-month placements with a second six-month stint after a gap. The pilot programme is expected to provide insights into the feasibility of the scheme while helping to understand its potential for broader implementation in the future.According to AICTE Vice-Chairman Dr Abhay Jere, the fellowship aims to make technical education more relevant by addressing common complaints that students lack the necessary industry understanding when they graduate.“There are constant complaints from both sides—industry representatives say students are not industry-ready, while colleges face challenges in staying updated with industry needs. If faculty members have first-hand industry experience, they will be able to better prepare students for the challenges they will face in the workforce,” said Dr Jere, who is also the Chief Innovation Officer at the Ministry of Education, Government of India.According to AICTE, faculty members who spend a year in the industry will not only gain practical experience but will also develop lasting professional relationships with industry experts. “This exposure could potentially lead to future consultancy opportunities for faculty members and more dynamic industry-academic partnerships,” explained Dr Jere.The fellowship programme will be open to all faculty members from AICTE-approved institutions. Participants must be under the age of 45 and can apply for a maximum of two such fellowships during their entire professional career. Detailed selection criteria will be declared along with the announcement of the programme to ensure a fair selection process.Story continues below this adThe programme is designed to incentivise participation by offering a stipend of Rs 1 lakh, which will be jointly funded by AICTE and the respective employers. While AICTE will contribute Rs 75,000, the industry partner will pay Rs 25,000.AICTE has, however, emphasised that participating companies have to be those listed on the stock market to ensure credibility. Additionally, the fellowship is only for postings in India even if the company is a multinational entity.The programme is also expected to involve challenges such as faculty retention after the fellowship. But according to Dr Jere, the benefits of the programme would far outweigh the challenges. “The fear of faculty shifting permanently to the corporate sector is minimal. Most professors have secure government jobs and are unlikely to leave, but the exposure they gain from the fellowship will enrich their teaching and enhance their ability to prepare students for industry roles,” he said.Dr Jere added that it will be more challenging to get the go-ahead for the fellowship from colleges which will not only have to let go of the professors for a considerable amount of time but also make temporary arrangements in their absence.© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:academics