Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Higher Education Department on Thursday allowed all State Public Universities to re-engage existing Guest Faculties and appoint new Guest Faculties against vacant teaching posts as a temporary measure to ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
In a letter issued by Additional Secretary to Government Prativa Sahu to Registrars of State Public Universities, the department stated that the recruitment process for regular faculty positions has already been initiated and is currently underway. However, considering proposals received from various universities regarding shortage of teaching staff, the government approved continuation and fresh engagement of Guest Faculties.
As per the directive, the existing Guest Faculties engaged under Higher Education Department Letter No. 4477/HE dated February 1, 2024, may be re-engaged, while fresh Guest Faculties can also be appointed against vacant teaching posts.
The engagement will remain purely temporary for a period of six months or till completion of the regular recruitment process, whichever is earlier.
The department has made it mandatory for universities to upload details of all Guest Faculties engaged under the earlier order and the vacant posts proposed for fresh engagement on the HIMS portal. Universities have also been directed to upload geo-tagged photographs of Guest Faculties while taking classes as documentary proof of academic engagement.
The Higher Education Department further instructed universities to factor in the teaching contribution of candidates selected under the Mukhyamantri Research Fellowship scheme under MRIP before calculating workload requirements for engagement or re-engagement of Guest Faculties. Such fellowship candidates are required to undertake teaching assignments for five hours per week for UG and PG students.
The government directed universities to comply with all stipulated conditions before engaging or continuing Guest Faculties and intimate the department accordingly.