Sambalpur: GM University Faces Faculty Crisis; 73 Positions Vacant, Teaching Impacted
6 Professors Across 23 Departments
4 Departments have no PhD
Sambalpur: The lack of appointments following the Supreme Court’s stay order has raised concerns about how classes will continue at GM University. The university’s vacant positions have increased to 73 as a result of the lack of new hires. Departments such as Social Science, Hindi, Physics, and Zoology are currently without faculty, relying heavily on temporary and guest lecturers. This shortage affects both undergraduate and graduate programs, with Ph.D. programs in four departments yet to begin.
Vacant Faculty Positions
Sources say GM University has sanctioned 23 professors, 35 associate professors, and 86 assistant professors. However, there are currently only 6 professors spread across 23 departments. Most departments function without any professors. Professors are lacking even in departments such as commerce and economics. Guest lecturers have been hired to fill the void, but they cannot compete with the expertise of experienced professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. Furthermore, guest lecturers frequently leave their positions on an annual basis, requiring the university to recruit new ones.
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Impact on Research Programs
Universities’ primary goal is research, but due to a faculty shortage, students are not able to pursue Ph.D. programs. Research activities have been significantly impacted. Despite previous announcements, new programs such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Sambalpuri Studies have not yet been launched due to a faculty shortage. The university last opened a new department in 2018.
Recruitment Delays
Since 2021, the university has lost the authority to appoint faculty members, which has been transferred to the Odisha Public Service Commission. However, the OPSC recruitment process faced legal challenges, with some faculty members questioning its legitimacy. They first approached the High Court, then the Supreme Court, which resulted in the current stay order on faculty recruitment. This has resulted in a faculty shortage not only at GM University but also at other universities throughout the state.
Unless the state government takes immediate action to address the situation, the situation may worsen further.
