Over half of faculty posts vacant: Gujarat University spends ₹2.6 crore on temporary teachers

Gujarat University has not carried out any permanent faculty recruitment for several years due to delays in obtaining government approval. 

Consequently, with over 50% of teaching positions remaining vacant, the university has been forced to appoint temporary instructors. This move has added an additional annual financial burden of more than ₹2.6 crore. 

In total, Gujarat University has made temporary appointments of 49 assistant professors across departments and disciplines.

Currently, more than 110 faculty (teaching staff) positions are vacant compared to the previously sanctioned strength. In some Science and Arts subjects, departments are functioning with fewer teachers than required.

Among 18 grant-in-aid departments at the varsity – including Philosophy, Mathematics, Environmental Science, Statistics, Prakrit, MLW, B K School, Psychology, Life Sciences, Hindi, Linguistics, Economics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Zoology, Commerce, Botany and a self-financed department (Performing Arts) – only 46 of the 117 sanctioned faculty posts have been filled.

To ensure the smooth functioning of departments and continuation of teaching, the university has appointed teachers temporarily. 

Consequently, 49 assistant professors have been appointed on an 11-month contractual basis. Each will receive a monthly salary of ₹45,000.

Among these, the highest seven professors have been appointed in the Chemistry department, while three each have been recruited in Mathematics, Psychology, Life Sciences, Environmental Science, and Economics.