Faculty Development Policy

Policy Statement and Purpose

Firebird Institute of Research in Management is dedicated to fostering an environment of continuous growth and excellence among its faculty. The Faculty Development Policy aims to ensure ongoing professional development, enhance teaching, research skills, and industry engagement, and align faculty contributions with the Vision, Mission, and Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) of the institution.

Objectives of Faculty Development

Provide continuous learning opportunities for faculty to remain current in their respective domains.
Enhance educational delivery, research productivity, and industry-academia engagement.
Directly support the achievement of the Institute’s Vision, Mission, and PEOs through upskilling and knowledge sharing.

Scope and Applicability

This policy applies to all categories of faculty, including full-time, part-time, adjunct, and visiting faculty members. The policy covers a broad range of development activities, from orientation and induction to advanced research and industry interaction initiatives.

Strategic Alignment: Vision, Mission, and PEOs

Faculty development initiatives are designed to:

Realize the Institute’s Vision and Mission by fostering a culture of academic excellence and leadership.
Enable the design, delivery, and enhancement of academic programs in alignment with PEOs, promoting holistic student development.

Key Components and Initiatives

The Faculty Development and Training Policy includes a set of key components and initiatives focused on improving teaching practices, advancing research capabilities, facilitating industry interactions, and supporting faculty professional growth.

1. Faculty Orientation and Induction

Newly recruited faculty members are oriented towards the institution’s vision, mission, academic culture, and values. Induction programs help them adapt to the academic environment, understand institutional policies, teaching-learning methodologies, evaluation systems, and student engagement practices. This ensures a smooth transition into their roles and promotes alignment with institutional objectives.

2. Continuous Professional Development (including workshops, faculty development programs, MOOCs, and certifications)

The institution emphasizes lifelong learning by encouraging faculty to participate in structured professional development activities. This includes attending workshops, faculty development programs (FDPs), short-term training, and refresher courses. Faculty are also motivated to enrol in online courses such as MOOCs, NPTEL, Coursera, or edX, as well as pursue relevant certifications. Such initiatives enhance their subject expertise, teaching effectiveness, and global exposure.

3. Research Facilitation and Support

To strengthen the research culture, faculty are provided with guidance and support for undertaking research projects, publishing in reputed journals, and presenting at conferences.

4. Industry Interaction, Consultancy, and Corporate Engagement

Faculty development is closely tied to practical exposure and industry relevance. The institution facilitates interactions with industry professionals through guest lectures, industrial visits, collaborative projects, and consultancy opportunities. Faculty are encouraged to engage in live projects, training, and case study development with corporates, ensuring that their teaching remains contemporary and aligned with market needs.

5. Pedagogical Innovation and Curriculum Enhancement

The policy encourages faculty to adopt innovative teaching practices such as case-based learning, gamification, and the use of technology-enabled platforms. Faculty are trained to design outcome-based learning modules, assessment techniques, and value-added courses that enrich the student learning experience.

Implementation Mechanisms

The implementation of the faculty development program will include annual training plans formulated based on a thorough competency needs assessment, along with incentives and recognition for faculty demonstrating commitment to continuous learning, research, and innovation.

Roles and Responsibilities

The following outlines the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in implementing and supporting the faculty development programme. The Director is responsible for strategic planning and review of faculty development initiatives. HR and administration facilitate logistics and support mechanisms. Faculty are expected to proactively engage in continuous learning and participate in development activities. External partners may be engaged for resource support and knowledge exchange.

Monitoring, Assessment, and Review

The monitoring, assessment, and review of faculty development programs will be carried out to ensure effectiveness and continuous improvement as outlined below:

Participation outcomes and the impact of faculty development activities will be systematically tracked and assessed on a regular basis to ensure their effectiveness.
The effectiveness of faculty development programs will be evaluated through feedback from participants, the attainment of intended competencies, and their alignment with the institution’s strategic objectives.
This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to incorporate best practices, emerging trends, and evolving institutional needs.

This policy assures a structured and ongoing approach to faculty growth, keeping the Firebird Institute at the forefront of academic relevance and excellence.