Mumbai University permits lecturers to take up consultancy work

Teachers with colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai have reason to rejoice as they can now make extra money by sharing their knowledge with private organisations.

The varsity’s academic council on Wednesday finally gave in to the teachers’ demand and gave them permission to take up consultancy work with firms.

More than 600 colleges are affiliated with the university.
“Most of the government and non-government premier institutes allow their teachers to share knowledge with society. So, we decided to allow teachers from our affiliated colleges to take up consultancy work. But, they have to follow the conditions laid down by the expert committee,” said Dr Rajpal Hande, director, board of colleges and university.

“It’s a good decision because teachers will get more exposure. But, it should not affect their routine work,” Hande said.

The varsity had appointed an expert committee comprising Manjusha Molwane, joint director, higher education, Mumbai; Suresh Ukrande, dean of engineering faculty; TP Madhu Nair, dean of commerce facility, AP Mahajan, principal of Pragati College and Vinayak Dalvi, principal of Mithibai College, to look into the teachers’ demand. After reviewing the proposal, the committee laid down guidelines.

The norms state that college teachers can take up consultancy, corporate research and development, market research and consumer studies, government industrial projects, pilot projects, and entrepreneurial activities in collaboration with educational institutes, but they have to first take permission from the head of the department, college principal or director.

The teacher also has to submit complete details of the assignment, such as how much time he or she will invest in the project and about the finances. The rules mandate that teachers will not get any concessions on their jobs while executing the assignments.