RSS ‘pracharak’ appointed professor of practice at Central University of Himachal Pradesh

NEW DELHI: The Central University of Himachal Pradesh has appointed Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas national secretary Atul Kothari as professor of practice. Kothari told the Telegraph that he is a pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He will be professor of practice in Hindu studies.

The Central University of Himachal Pradesh has made the appointment under the University Grants Commission’s Professor of Practice scheme, which relaxes the criteria required for appointment as a professor in the higher education institutes (HEIs) in the country. Professors under this scheme do not require a PhD or qualification in the National Eligibility Test, or published papers in UGC-approved publications.

UGC guidelines

As per the UGC guidelines, professor appointed under the scheme should meet the following criteria:

• Distinguished experts who have made remarkable contributions in their professions from various fields and have proven expertise in their specific profession or role with at least 15 years of service/experience, preferably at a senior level, will be eligible for Professor of Practice.
• A formal academic qualification is not considered essential for this position if they have exemplary professional practice in lieu. However, they should possess the skills to carry out the duties and responsibilities specified in the following section.
• The number of professors of practice in a HEIs, at any point in time, should not exceed 10% of the total sanctioned posts.

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Appointed on basis of expertise: CUHP

Central University of Himachal Pradesh registrar Suman Sharma told The Telegraph that Kothari has been appointed keeping in mind his position in the Nyas and his interactions with multiple universities as an expert on the National Education Policy. The website of Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas mentions that Kothari hass been an advisor to the taskforce of National Education Policy (NEP 2020) of various universities. He has also spoken at 350 seminars related to NEP 2020, the website added.

“I have worked on the behavioural aspects of Hindutva. I have written on Bharatiya gyan parmpara (Indian traditional knowledge). The vice-chancellor requested me to take this position,” Kothari told The Telegraph.

The Nyas’ website mentions that Kothari received an honorary PhD from the Manav Rachna University in Haryana in 2021 and an honorary DLitt from the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya in 2023.