UGC calls teachers' meet over API issue after stir

Facing protests from teachers' bodies over the Academic Performance Index (API) criteria, UGC today said it will organise a stakeholders' consultation on Monday and that it is acting on the HRD Ministry's direction for measures so as to ensure that teaching workload is not increased under new norms.
In a statement, the higher education regulator said it has initiated action on the review by the HRD Ministry of the recent amendment to the UGC (minimum qualifications for appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for the maintenance of standards in higher education) Regulations, 2010.

The Ministry issued a direction to the University Grants Commission to undertake amendments in the Regulation, indicating that the overall workload of Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Professors in full employment would remain unchanged, the statement said.
It said the HRD ministry had directed that the direct teaching-learning hours per week to be devoted by Assistant Professors (16 hours) and Associate Professors/Professors (14 hours) too would remain unchanged.
"As part of the process of the review mandated by the Ministry of HRD, UGC will invite representatives of teachers from across the country for stakeholder consultations on these issues. The Commission will also seek perspectives and suggestions from teachers for its consideration," the statement said.