Tamil Nadu Leads in Hiring Professors of Practice

India===Tamil Nadu is leading the way in hiring industry experts as Professors of Practice (PoPs) in its Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), followed by India===Maharashtra and India===Gujarat. This initiative, guided by the India===University Grants Commission (India)'s 2022 guidelines, aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by injecting professional acumen into classroom environments. A total of 1,841 PoPs have been hired by 349 HEIs across India, with India===Tamil Nadu accounting for 395 appointments. The position is temporary, requiring a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience, ideally in senior roles, and does not displace sanctioned posts. Private and deemed-to-be universities are leading in these appointments, while central universities have shown limited adoption. The scheme provides an opportunity for experienced professionals to contribute to education and nation-building.