University of Pune sends circular of UGC's new system of grading performance, draws up transparent assessment plan

Just like employees of corporate houses, teachers offering their services at different colleges affiliated to University of Pune (UoP) will now be eligible for performance appraisals annually. In a circular issued on
May 3, UoP has notified that all teachers should be graded and assessed annually on the basis of their performance and their eligibility for promotions should be determined based on fixed assessment parameters.


Campus alert: As per a UoP circular, teachers will get promotions
based on Performance Based Assessment System (PBAS). file pic

In June last year, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had notified its 'Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education', under which a transparent system for promotions was laid out. This system known as Performance Based Assessment System (PBAS) has been notified in the circular under which scores have been assigned to each sub-dimension or Academic Performance Indicator (API).

For example, 75 per cent weightage will be given to the API of "teaching, learning and evaluation" activities which includes lectures, practicals and tutorials taken, teaching duties in excess of UGC norms, use of innovative teaching tools and examination duties.

Besides that 15 percent weightage will be accorded to co-curricular and professional development related such as field-based activities like NSS/NCC, participation in seminars, conferences and short-term training courses.
Apart from this, teachers can earn points under other parameters such as published research papers, books and sponsored research projects. "Assessment would be done by teachers themselves. Then it will be verified by a selection committee. As you rise through ranks, scope for promotions becomes tougher," said a university employee.