New Delhi, Jul 22 (KNN) Between 36.5 per cent and 40.8 per cent teaching positions are lying vacant in 16 IITs and 30 NITs due to retirement, resignation, increase in students’ intake and non-availability of qualified candidates for taking up teaching assignments, Parliament was informed. 

“The institutes have been taking various initiatives to attract outstanding candidates for faculty positions. Some of these measures include year-round open advertisements, holding of selection committee meetings through video conferencing, invitation to alumni, scientists and faculty to reach out to potential candidates, advertisements in international journals, outstanding young faculty awards, etc,” Union Minister of HRD, Smriti Irani has said.

As regards NITs, the institutions are engaging contract and adjunct staff as well as using the online mode of teaching to overcome these shortages. Moreover, faculty in NITs has now been given pay parity with faculty in IITs with a view to attract quality faculty, she added.

Further, the MHA has reduced the salary limit for employment visa to foreign faculty from USD 25,000 to USD 14,000 with a view to make it possible for foreign faculty to join IITs and NITs. (KNN/SD)