A doorway to an entrepreneurial university

Source- The post is based on the article “A doorway to an entrepreneurial university” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Issues related to development and management of education

Relevance- HIgher education

News– The University Grants Commission’s move to institutionalise the concept of a ‘Professor of Practice’ could help bridge the gap between academia and the professional world

How interaction between different disciplines of knowledge is beneficial to the educational ecosystem?

New knowledge is always the result of interactions between disparate or competing disciplines.

Whenever diverse players from different disciplines come together, these joint ventures lead to the creation of a whole new body of knowledge.

University systems have always seen this. The modern university system keeps evolving. Over the years, multidisciplinary studies have seen new disciplines such as biochemistry and computing science.

What are some facts about the concept of entrepreneurial university?

Innovations that bring together academic and industrial research work are creating economic and intellectual value for universities.

This joint enterprise of academia and industry is entering a new phase. This is related to the entrepreneurial university.

One school of academia maintains that universities should be the foundation of new knowledge and research. Any attempt at a commercialisation of this vision should not be allowed.

But, the thinking among new-age universities, and ‘educational entrepreneurs’ is to ensure a fine balance between education and enterprise.

What are some facts about the UGC’s initiative to institutionalise the concept of ‘Professor of Practice’?

It is a step towards an entrepreneurial university.

As per UGC, the objective behind introducing a Professor of Practice is to enhance the quality of higher education by bringing practitioners, policymakers, and skilled professionals  into the higher education system.

This will help take real world practices and experiences into classrooms and also augment faculty resources in higher education institutions. Industry and society will benefit from trained graduates who are equipped with the relevant skills.

PoPs are often hired from outside academia. They may not be required to have a PhD or other advanced research degree. PoPs can be found in fields that include business, engineering, law, journalism, and the arts.

In the field of engineering, for example, a PoP can teach courses that focus on practical, real-world applications and share their insights in applied learning.

PoPs can serve as ambassadors for their universities, building relationships with industry partners. They help to connect students with internship and job opportunities.

They can also participate in professional organisations and conferences to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

What is the importance of innovation?

Teaching and research were the foundational pillars of a university in the industrial era. Innovation is the third pillar in universities.

Due to innovation culture, every academic will synthesise ideas and will lead to creation of more start-up enterprises.

These university-based start-ups would incubate ideas and convert ideas into patents and transform patents into commercial products.