Indian universities are increasingly appointing "Professors of Practice" (PoPs), renowned professionals from various fields, to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application. This initiative, formalized by the UGC in 2022, aims to provide students with practical insights and mentorship. The scheme has seen significant interest, with over 18,300 professionals and 530 institutions registered on the UGC portal, reflecting a growing trend of integrating industry expertise into higher education.