Strengthening Academic Continuity: Jammu and Kashmir’s University Professors Granted Three-Year Retirement Age Extension
Conditional Enhancement: Retirement Age of University Professors Extended to 65 in Jammu and Kashmir
04-07-2023: The Higher Education Department has made a significant decision regarding the retirement age of University Professors, granting them an extension from 62 to 65 years. This approval comes as a conditional enhancement, and a committee under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir has been tasked with individually reviewing and deciding on each case for the extension on a case-to-case basis, as stated in the official notification.
The decision to extend the retirement age is likely to have been taken to retain experienced and qualified professors in the higher education system for a longer duration. It acknowledges the valuable contributions these professors make to the academic community and aims to benefit from their knowledge and expertise for an extended period.
However, this extension is not a blanket rule for all university professors. Each case will undergo a comprehensive review, evaluating various parameters set by the government before the individual reaches the age of 62. This review will ensure that professors meet specific criteria to continue their tenure.
The parameters for review include assessing the overall performance of the professor, their physical and mental health condition in terms of being suitable for teaching and engaging in research assignments within the university, and their adherence to general conduct standards as per the Civil Service Regulations of the Jammu and Kashmir government.
The government will also evaluate the professor’s teaching contribution by taking into consideration student feedback, their adoption of new pedagogical approaches in teaching, and their workload management. This assessment will shed light on the professor’s effectiveness in delivering quality education and engaging students in the learning process.
Another aspect that the review will focus on is the academic contribution of the professor. This will involve examining the number of publications, books, chapters in books, seminars, conferences, and workshops attended by the professor. Additionally, the government will look into their involvement in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), their role in developing new syllabi and courses, any patents and consultancy assignments they might have undertaken, as well as any awards, fellowships, or positions they have held during their academic career.
Furthermore, the review will consider the research contributions of the professor, which includes the number of research publications in reputed journals, the number of Ph.D. candidates they have supervised, the number of Ph.D. degrees awarded under their guidance, and their involvement in research projects or fellowships.
This comprehensive evaluation process aims to ensure that professors who are granted an extension to their retirement age are those who have made significant contributions to academia, demonstrated a commitment to teaching and research, and maintained high standards of performance and conduct throughout their careers.
