UGC: Title of professor cannot be used after retirement unless…

By M.A. Kaleel

The University Grants Commission has issued a circular to the effect that the title of Professor can only be used while a person is still serving in an academic institution.

When he or she retires or resigns, that title cannot be used with his or her name unless he or she has been awarded the title of Emeritus Professor by the Council of the Academic Institution concerned.

The UGC circular says that future letters of promotion to professorship will carry a clause to this effect.

This issue was taken up by the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), headed by MP Ranjith Bandara, a few months ago. Serious concerns were raised about this and over bogus doctoral degrees awarded for money.