The Key Role of Pharmacy Professors at Private Universities & Autonomous Institutions of Pharmaceutical Sciences: Pros and Cons of Implications of the PCI’s New Rule Amendment dated 09.01.2025 & 15.01.2025.

The Pharmacy Council of India’s (PCI) recent circulars dated 09.02.2025 and 15.01.2025 have sparked concerns among pharmacy professors at private universities. The new rule amendment hints at reducing the number of pharmacy teaching professionals in various disciplines, including pharmacognosy, pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical biotechnology, pharmaceutics, and pharmaceutical chemistry. This move has raised questions about the future of pharmaceutical education and research in India.

Guiding PhD Scholars and Fostering Collaborative Research

Pharmacy professors at private universities play a crucial role in guiding PhD scholars and fostering collaborative research. By becoming research guides, they provide expert mentorship, helping PhD scholars navigate complex research projects and produce high-quality output. Moreover, private universities offer a unique environment for collaborative research, where pharmacy professors can work with faculty members from other departments, such as pharmaceutical sciences, basic sciences, engineering, and management. This interdisciplinary approach enhances research quality, promotes innovation, and strengthens the university’s research profile.

Improving Academic Performance Index (API) Score, NIRF Ranking, and Accreditation

Pharmacy professors at private universities are instrumental in improving the Academic Performance Index (API) score, NIRF ranking, and accreditation standards. Their research output, teaching quality, and academic excellence contribute significantly to the university’s ranking and accreditation. A strong API score, NIRF ranking, and accreditation from bodies like NBA and NAAC are essential for attracting top talent, securing funding, and maintaining the university’s reputation.

Comparison with Private Pharmacy Institutes

Private pharmacy institutes, often individually managed, have limited resources and infrastructure compared to private universities. Pharmacy professors at private universities have more opportunities for research, collaboration, and academic growth. The reduction of pharmacy professors at private universities would compromise the quality of education and research, ultimately affecting the university’s reputation and credibility.

Issues and Critics

The PCI’s new rule amendment has raised several concerns and criticisms:

1. Compromise on quality: Reducing the number of pharmacy professors would compromise the quality of education and research.
2. Impact on PhD scholars: The reduction of pharmacy professors would severely impact the guidance and mentorship available to PhD scholars.
3. Effect on API score, NIRF ranking, and accreditation: The reduction of pharmacy professors would compromise the university’s API score, NIRF ranking, and accreditation standards.
4. Lack of consideration for private universities: The PCI’s new rule amendment seems to have been made without considering the specific needs and challenges of private universities.

Opportunities towards autonomous and state private universities available across India:

Here are the opportunities available for pharmacy professors at private universities across India, along with the number of private universities in each state approved by the UGC in 2025:

Total Private Universities in India

As of 23^rd January 2025, there are 501 private universities across India, approved by the UGC.

These private universities offer a wide range of academic programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees in pharmacy and other disciplines. Pharmacy professors can explore opportunities in these universities, contributing to teaching, research, and academic excellence.

State-wise Private Universities in India

* Source data extracted and compiled by ‘Genome Publication

Irrespective of talking about their 2(f), 12(B) and Category-1, each individual states should focus on competing their education standards by upgrading themselves by concentrating in starting up a new private university with their own resources and facilities. The private colleges like group of institutions under same management can think of going for an autonomous as well as state private university status. The employment of many professors can be observed and importance of professors in the concerned department also can be fulfilled.

A state like Kerala, Pondichery, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, and Tamilnadu should focus on this aspect to solve their own grievances. The professionals may initiate this movement through their reputed associations as well as governing authorities of the states. PCI authorities also can advice in this regard to the individual states to concentrate in starting of new autonomous institutions/colleges as well as private universities for providing more job opportunities to professors.

Empowering Private Colleges: A Solution to Overcome Cutting of Professors

To address the concerns of cutting professors in private colleges, state governments and affiliating bodies must initiate a process to empower private colleges that have completed 10-20 years of service. These colleges should be encouraged to apply for autonomous status, paving the way for further growth and development.

Autonomous Status: A Stepping Stone to University Status

Autonomous status will enable private colleges to design their own curricula, assessment patterns, and research programs. This will foster innovation, academic excellence, and research output. Moreover, autonomous colleges can attract research funding, collaborate with industry partners, and develop their own infrastructure.

Senior Professors: Leading the Way

Pharmacy teachers, particularly senior professors, can play a vital role in leading autonomous colleges and universities. They can mentor junior faculty, develop research programs, and engage with industry partners. By leveraging their expertise and experience, senior professors can drive academic excellence and innovation.

Overcoming the Cutting of Professors

By empowering private colleges to apply for autonomous status and university status, the issue of cutting professors can be effectively addressed. Autonomous colleges and universities can provide job security for professors, attract top talent, and produce high-quality research output.

Call to Action

State governments and affiliating bodies must initiate the process of empowering private colleges towards the autonomous status followed by state private university. Senior professors and pharmacy teachers must take the lead in driving academic excellence and innovation. Together, we can overcome the challenges faced by private colleges and professors, and create a vibrant and thriving pharmaceutical education ecosystem.

In conclusion, pharmacy professors at private universities play a vital role in guiding PhD scholars, fostering collaborative research, and improving academic performance. The PCI’s new rule amendment, which hints at reducing the number of pharmacy professors, has raised several concerns and criticisms. It is essential to reconsider this amendment and prioritize the needs and challenges of starting an autonomous college as well as state private universities to ensure the continued growth and development of pharmaceutical education and research in India. All the affiliating and concerned authorities should direct towards these aspects for the betterment of society.

Dr. R. KUMANAN, Professor & HOD, Department of Phytopharmacy and Phytomedicine.

Dr. S. SUDHA, Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.

Dr. N. SRIRAM, Editor, Pharmachronicles, Hyderabad.