No longer content to be ranked only among the top schools of technology and science in Asia, the faculty and administrators of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) have set their sights on world-class recognition. This means a commitment to compete head-to-head with the top universities around the world and to be judged by world standards of excellence.

Faculty will make or break the reputation of IITB. They will be judged, as individuals and collectively on the basis of their contribution to science and technology. This will be the standard, and the record of publication in peer-reviewed journals and contribution of new products and ideas to industry will be the objective measures of excellence.

The challenges are many.

Research is hampered by poor facilities, outdated equipment, too few top-level graduate students to provide the necessary research labor force, and lack of access to research money in a timely fashion. This lack of “world-class” research capacity at IITB thwarts recruitment of top-level graduate students as well as young “world-class” faculty who know research is the key to professional recognition and advancement.

Faculty pay is low and government controlled. This affects IITBs ability to recruit new faculty. Some funds have recently been provided for development of faculty, which includes travel funds for going to a technical meeting once in three years. More funds are needed for the purpose of faculty development and for a research start-up fund for new faculty.

Also affecting new faculty recruitment is available housing. Newest faculty receive the least desirable housing, and due to deterioration of structures this often means that the very people who need to be enticed to join IITB are offered the least desirable conditions in which to live. New or renovated living space that is clean and comfortable needs to be created as incentive to new faculty.

The quality of faculty and their ability to conduct world-class work will be the deciding factors in any head-to-head evaluation with other universities. Recruitment and retention of the best faculty is key to achieving the vision of world-class status for IITB.

Faculty Development Fund will provide money for faculty travel to scientific meetings to present the results of research conducted at IITB. Presenting papers at such forums is essential for professional growth. The availability of such funds will promote recruitment and retention of new faculty.

$2,000 each faculty/year
$800,000 total/year
 
Endowment: $10 million

New Faculty Recruitment Research Incentive Fund will provide an enticement for prospective faculty members to join IITB. This will supply research startup money for equipment and support. Once a faculty member begins conducting research, they will be expected to obtain research sponsorships to sustain their programs.

$10,000 each new faculty
$200,000 total/year

New Faculty Housing which is clean and comfortable is needed to help entice new faculty to join IITB, but it is also needed to accommodate the increased number of faculty expected to join IITB in the next few years (50-100 new faculty in the next five years). Current housing for new faculty is in poor condition and there are too few housing units available.

$3 million

Endowed Faculty Chairs for new faculty, distinguished faculty, and visiting faculty will provide incentives for recruitment and retention of top faculty.

New Faculty: $12,500/yr
Endowment: $150,000
 
Distinguished Chair:
$25,000
 
Endowment: $300,000
Visiting Faculty: $5,000
each

Exchange Faculty Program will provide an opportunity to exchange faculty, so that IIT students and faculty receive the benefits of exchange of ideas, but for IITB faculty this will provide an incentive to boost their careers that may not be available elsewhere in India, thus it will be a strong incentive for retention.

$5,000 each exchange