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Year-1 | Issue-3 | Continuous issue-3 | October-November 2012

Role of Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) in Planning and Execution of Quality Enhancement in Education

ABSTRACT

The University Grant Commission (UGC) established the National Assessment and Accreditation Council(NAAC) in 1994 at Bangalore. The prime agenda of NAAC is to Assess and Accredit institutions of higher learning with an objective of helping them to work continuously to improve the quality of education. Part A of guidelines of XI Plan of University Grants Commission directs all the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to have an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The motive behind setting up of IQAC is to maintain the momentum of quality consciousness which is crucial in HEIs. IQAC is a mechanism to build and ensure a quality culture at the institutional level, and is meant for planning, guiding and monitoring Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Enhancement (QE) activities of the HEIs

Plan of Action

To review the performance of the entire array of academic programmes encompassing the faculty, research scholars and students

To promote research in new and advancing fields of relevance. For this Research and Development Cell and University Research board were instituted.

Dissemination of information on the activities of the University for the benefit of general public and elite of the society.

Constitution of Quality Circles at all the levels of University to involve the entire cross section of University for the quality improvement.

Adoption of a Student Charter in the University to bring awareness among the students of their own responsibilities and the functions of the institution6. Obtaining Feedback from the alumni, retired staff and students, and making the analytical data available to the concerned teaching staff and administration.

To ameliorate the issues concerning the welfare of student community.

It was recognized that the academic activities in the University need to be improved keeping the global perspective in view

Restoration of Academic year and early publication of results.

Quality Enhancement Activities in education:

i) Academic Activities:

Semester System, Choice Based Credit System (CBCS),several new courses at PG level and ridge Courses have been introduced.. 5-year Integrated P.G. courses in Physics and Chemistry have been introduced. Language labs have been established to impart training to students in communication and soft skill, modernizing the class rooms and laboratory facilities. An Academic Calendar provides the entire academic schedule including the dates for internal tests and external examinations. Examination results published within 2-3 weeks. Implemented the teachers’ evaluation by the students which served the teachers to enhance their performance.

(ii) Research Activities:

University provided functional autonomy to the faculty by way of simplifying the administrative procedures concerning the execution of research projects. Research in thrust areas like Bio pesticides, for Rural Development. The faculty, who secure major research projects, are provided an incentive. Faculty is encouraged to participate in or organize seminars / conferences/ workshops in India and abroad. Qualified faculty in the affiliated colleges are encouraged to guide the candidates pursuing Ph.D. and M.Phil. programmes. University Research Board has been constituted to periodically monitor the quality of research work carried out by the research scholars and encourage them to undertake research in potential areas. University has embarked on a proactive strategy of forging collaboration with the industries and research organizations all over the world, keeping in view the challenges of globalization demands of the society. University is bringing out research journals in areas of specialization encompassing major disciplines.

iii) Extension Activities:

University has organized seminars/conferences/workshops to elicit the views of various sections of the society in the form of University-Community interaction, University – Industry Partnership and University-Farming Community meet. Students have been actively involved in the community development programmes in the villages adopted by the University. Among various programmes undertaken by the University include health awareness, child labour l seminar eradication, family planning drive, environmental protection and literacy campaign. A Viral Diagnostic Centre was established in the University (Department of Virology) to diagnose plant, animal and human viral diseases. All the students are actively involved in the “Clean and Tidy Programme” in the campus on fourth Saturday of every month. Under the “Open House” concept and Exhibition, University has showcased the activities and potentialities of the University in various fronts for developing awareness among the public and creating interest among students in pursing higher education. University Law Department offers counselling to the public on legal issues; Psychology department on Psychiatric problems and Home Science on health and Nutrition.

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Trupti J. Patel
(M. SC., M. ED., M. PHIL.)