Accredited with Grade 'A' (CGPA 3.04) by the NAAC (3rd Cycle)
INTRODUCTION
In pursuance of its Action Plan for performance evaluation, assessment and accreditation and quality up-gradation of institutions of higher education, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore proposes that every accredited institution should establish an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) as a quality sustenance measure. Since quality enhancement is a continuous process, the IQAC will become a part of the institution’s system and work towards realization of the goals of quality enhancement and sustenance. The prime task of the IQAC is to develop a system for conscious, consistent and catalytic improvement in the overall performance of institutions. For this, during the post-accreditation period, institutions need to channelize its efforts and measures towards promoting the holistic academic excellence including the peer committee recommendations. The guidelines provided in the following pages will guide and facilitate the institution in the creation and operation of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The work of the IQAC is the first step towards internalization and institutionalization of quality enhancement initiatives. Its success depends upon the sense of belongingness and participation in all the constituents of the institution. It will not be yet another hierarchical structure or a record-keeping exercise in the institution. It will be a facilitative and participative voluntary system/unit/organ of the institution. It has the potential to become a vehicle for ushering in quality enhancement by working out planned interventionist strategies by IQAC to remove deficiencies and enhance quality like the “Quality Circles” in industries.
IQAC – Vision
To ensure quality culture as the prime concern for the Higher Education Institutions through institutionalizing and internalizing all the initiatives taken with internal and external support.
Objective
The primary aim of IQAC is
• To develop a system for conscious, consistent and catalytic action to improve the academic and administrative performance of the institution.
• To promote measures for institutional functioning towards quality enhancement through internalization of quality culture and institutionalization of best practices.
Strategies
IQAC shall evolve mechanisms and procedures for:
a) Ensuring timely, efficient and progressive performance of academic, administrative and financial tasks
b) Relevant and quality academic/ research programmes
c) Equitable access to and affordability of academic programmes for various sections of society
d) Optimization and integration of modern methods of teaching and learning
e) The credibility of assessment and evaluation process
f) Ensuring the adequacy, maintenance and proper allocation of support structure and services
g) Sharing of research findings and networking with other institutions in India and abroad.
Functions
Some of the functions expected of the IQAC are:
a) Development and application of quality benchmarks
b) Parameters for various academic and administrative activities of the institution
c) Facilitating the creation of a learner-centric environment conducive to quality education and faculty maturation to adopt the required knowledge and technology for participatory teaching and learning process
d) Collection and analysis of feedback from all stakeholders on quality-related institutional processes
e) Dissemination of information on various quality parameters to all stakeholders
f) Organization of inter and intra institutional workshops, seminars on quality related themes and promotion of quality circles
g) Documentation of the various programmes/activities leading to quality improvement
h) Acting as a nodal agency of the Institution for coordinating quality-related activities, including adoption and dissemination of best practices
i) Development and maintenance of institutional database through MIS for the purpose of maintaining /enhancing the institutional quality
j) Periodical conduct of Academic and Administrative Audit and its follow-up
k) Preparation and submission of the Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) as per guidelines and parameters of NAAC.
l) Preparation and submission of the Self Study Report (SSR) as per guidelines and parameters of NAAC.
Benefits
IQAC will facilitate / contribute to
a) Ensure clarity and focus in institutional functioning towards quality enhancement;
b) Ensure internalization of the quality culture;
c) Ensure enhancement and coordination among various activities of the institution and institutionalize all good practices;
d) Provide a sound basis for decision-making to improve institutional functioning;
e) Act as a dynamic system for quality changes in HEIs;
f) Build an organized methodology of documentation and internal communication.
Composition of the IQAC
IQAC may be constituted in every institution under the Chairmanship of the Head of the institution with heads of important academic and administrative units and a few teachers and a few distinguished educationists and representatives of local management and stakeholders.
The composition of the IQAC may be as follows:
1. Chairperson: Head of the Institution
2. Teachers to represent all level (Three to eight)
3. One member from the Management
4. Few Senior administrative officers
5. One nominee each from local society, Students and Alumni
6. One nominee each from Employers /Industrialists/Stakeholders
7. One of the senior teachers as the coordinator/Director of the IQAC
The composition of the IQAC will depend on the size and complexity of the institution, accordingly the representation of teachers may vary. It helps the institutions in planning and monitoring. IQAC also gives stakeholders or beneficiaries a cross-sectional participation in the institution’s quality enhancement activities. The guidelines given here are only indicative and will help the institutions for quality sustenance activities.
The membership of such nominated members shall be for a period of two years. The IQAC should meet at least once in every quarter. The quorum for the meeting shall be two-third of the total number of members. The agenda, minutes and Action Taken Reports are to be documented with official signatures and maintained electronically in a retrievable format.
It is necessary for the members of the IQAC to shoulder the responsibilities of generating and promoting awareness in the institution and to devote time for working out the procedural details. While selecting these members several precautions need to be taken. A few of them are listed below:
It is advisable to choose persons from various backgrounds who have earned respect for integrity and excellence in their teaching and research. Moreover, they should be aware of the ground realities of the institutional environment. They should be known for their commitment to improving the quality of teaching and learning.
It is advisable to change the coordinator after two to three years to bring new thoughts and activities in the institution.
It would be appropriate to choose as senior administrators, persons in charge of institutional services such as library, computer center, estate, student welfare, administration, academic tasks, examination and planning and development.
The management representative should be a person who is aware of the institution’s objectives, limitations and strengths and is committed to its improvement. The local society representatives should be of high social standing and should have made significant contributions to society and in particular to education.
The role of the Coordinator
The role of the coordinator of the IQAC is crucial in ensuring the effective functioning of all the members. The coordinator of the IQAC may be a senior/competent person with experience and exposure in quality aspects. She/he may be a full-time functionary or, to start with, she/he may be a senior academic /administrator entrusted with the IQAC as an additional responsibility. Secretarial assistance may be facilitated by the administration. It is essential that the coordinator may have sound knowledge about the computer, data management and its various functions such as usage for effective communication.
About IQAC Saraighat College:
As per the guidelines of NAAC, the Governing Body of Saraighat College formed the IQAC on 26th June 2010, after the first cycle of NAAC Assessment and Accreditation in 2010.After the second cycle of NAAC Assessment and Accreditation in September 2015; the IQAC was reconstituted on 26th April 2016. On 11th November 2019, the IQAC was again reconstituted by changing some members. On 15th March 2022, the IQAC was again reconstituted by appointing some members, including the new Chairperson cum Principal of the college. After the second cycle of NAAC assessment and Accreditation in 2015, the IQAC has so far submitted the AQAR’s of 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 to NAAC and submitted IIQA and SSR to NAAC for reaccreditation of Third Cycle in April 2023 the institution has been Accredited with Grade A (3.04 CGPA).
