Institutional Accrediataion of
Recognizing
the need to upgrade women’s cultural and social standards through education,
Bishop Thomas Tharayil founded the Bishop Chulaparambil Memorial
(B.C.M.)College, a grant-in-aid
minority institution, in the year 1955.
From a very small beginning with 63 women students housed in a boarding house
of St. Anne’s School, the institution has grown today in a five acre land in an
urban set up with a student population of 2000, drawn mainly from the interior
villages. Ever since its establishment, the college has been striving
tirelessly to mould intellectually and physically inspired persons by providing
value education and cultural awareness. The college is affiliated to Mahatma
Gandhi University and managed by the Corporate Educational Agency of Kottayam
Diocese.
Today the
college has a strength of 2000 students (900 pre-degree), 96 permanent teachers, 14 temporary teachers and 64
non-teaching staff. Among the teachers, seven have Ph.D., 12 M.Phil. and the
remaining have post graduate degrees.
The 16
departments of the college offer a total of 14 programmes-14 undergraduate
(mathematics, physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, food science, family &
community science, family & community science(Vocational)-clinical
nutrition and dietetics, history, economics, sociology, English Literature,
English-Vocational (Administrative Assistant) and B.Com.) and one postgraduate
(mathematics).
The college volunteered to
be assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council and the preliminary Self-Study
Report prepared under the able guidance of the distinguished Principal, Prof.
Mary Ramani Tharayil was submitted to
the council in November 1999. The Peer Team constituted by NAAC to validate the
Self-Study Report comprised Prof. Lakshmi Santa Rajagopal, former
Vice-Chancellor, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education
for Women-Deemed University, Coimbatore, Prof. G. H. Sawkar, Director, College
Development Council, Bangalore University and Prof. T. S. Jani Bai, Principal,
Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, Tiruchchirappalli. The Team was ably supported
by Dr. Latha Pillai, Deputy Advisor and Mr. B. S. Ponmudiraj, academic
professional, NAAC.
The Peer Team studied the
Self Study Report and later visited the institution from 12th to 14th January, 2000. Various departments
and infrastructure facilities were visited and discussions were held with the
Principal, Board of Management, teachers, students, parents, alumni,
non-teaching staff and functionaries associated with various unions/
councils/associations. The visits, discussions and perusal of records enabled
the Peer Team to present the following report:
The motto
of the college is “Wisdom and Grace”. The college was founded with a definite
aim of giving value based education to girls especially from rural areas. It
has striven to attain this goal in the past. But to suit the present day
challenges stress has been laid on women empowerment and it is sought to be
achieved through seminars, workshops, educational tours and participation in
co-curricular activities.
The
college offers undergraduate courses in 6 science subjects, 4 arts subjects and
commerce; and a post graduate course in mathematics, which are all conventional
in nature. Recently the institution has started three vocational courses in
Food Science and Quality Control, Administrative Assistant and Clinical
Nutrition & Dietetics. As an affiliated college to M. G. University, it has
to follow the syllabi prescribed by the university. In spite of this
limitation, the college has recently introduced a few short-term courses. It
offers a diploma and a few certificate courses in computers with the help of
external agencies.
The
Department of Family & Community Science has recently initiated a
certificate course of 3 months duration in “Better Homes” for students of other
departments. The college has also ventured to give training in “Yoga” to
interested students. These courses have evinced an overwhelming interest among
students. The Department of Food Science and Quality Control has incorporated
industrial visits in their curriculum facilitating interaction with experts in
the field and skill development. Yet, there is ample scope for improvement in
establishing academy-industry tie-ups.
The
college is represented in the Academic Council and Boards of Studies of M. G.
University by its staff members. Several members have given their inputs in the
restructurisation of courses at the first degree level which were adopted by
the university/college from the academic year 1998-1999.
A
corporate exercise in curricular review in terms of relevance, structure,
mission and corresponding strategies to achieve them is an urgent need.
Admission to various courses of study in the college is in accordance with the policy of Mahatma Gandhi University. Lecture method is generally used in teaching. To make teaching effective some departments use the available overhead projectors whenever possible. With the restructured syllabus, there is provision for assessing student knowledge and skills by way of tests, assignments and seminars. The Tutorial System helps in identifying the weak students. It also offers additional knowledge inputs and general awareness. For the weaker section, remedial and bridge courses are conducted informally. The Department of English provides special remedial programmes for students weak in English, through reading and writing practices, thus developing their language skills. Teachers look after the academic progress of their wards and help them overcome their personal difficulties. A broad teaching plan is prepared by each department which the Head of the Department monitors. The college calendar is given to the students at the beginning of the academic year itself and it is followed strictly. These measures enable the college to produce excellent results consistently. There is 100% pass in a majority of departments.
The practice of modern
pedagogy in terms of learner-centred class-room activities, a comprehensive
performance appraisal of teachers and their use of modern education technology
are recommended.
Criterion III: Research, Consultancy and Extension
Service to society is the major objective of the college and extension programmes are given utmost importance in its agenda. Almost all departments take up social outreach programmes and there is ample participation by staff members. Collaborative work with NGO’s is in its infant stage and the college is definitely moving in this direction.
Being primarily an
undergraduate college and tied up with the pre-degree programme, the
institution is not able to concentrate much on its research activities.
However, in the Department of English, 3 members of the faculty are recognized
guides of the parent university for M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes. The concept
of consultancy is yet to grow.
Criterion IV: Infrastructure and Learning Resources
During the past 44 years, the college has expanded its infrastructure facilities in the form of multistoried buildings, laboratories, library, auditorium and hostel blocks. The college owns 5 acres of land which is shared by the High school also. There are enough classrooms and adequate laboratory facilities. Once the pre-degree is completely delinked, more space will be available and hence there is enough scope for expansion.
There is a good library
equipped with over 40,000 books and a few periodicals. It is kept open from 0900 hrs to 1700 hrs
and it functions smoothly under the guidance of an advisory committee and a
qualified librarian. Open access system enables students to utilize the library
to a great extent. Computerization of library has just started and for quick
and efficient library automation, the staff concerned needs computer
orientation. A photostat machine has
been provided in the library for students’ use. There is a computer center run
by a private agency.
Sports facilities are
provided to students for games such as basketball, cricket, table tennis,
handball, softball and shuttle badminton. Hostel facilities are available for
300 students in the college campus with 2 spacious dining halls and a visitor’s
parlour. By providing additional bathrooms and toilets, the quality of hostel
life may be enhanced. There is a
canteen catering for the needs of day students.
Criterion V: Student Support and Progression
The college has an admission policy strictly adhering to the rules laid down by the Government of Kerala as well as the university. At least 50% of the students take up higher studies in other institutions though the success rate of the students at the competitive examinations is negligible. The college has an appropriate mechanism to monitor student progression. Student feedback received on teaching, learning, evaluation, facilities, organization, management, etc., is used for improving and strengthening the system. Financial aids in the form of scholarships namely national merit scholarship, state government scholarship and institution scholarship have been utilized by 685 students. Funds from the BCM charity is also available to support the less privileged. Initiation of a formal career guidance cell would cater for the present day needs of students. Staff members themselves do regular counseling though they are not professionally trained. The college encourages students to take part in co-curricular activities through their departmental associations and the students’ union. The college has been well represented in the intercollegiate and interuniversity competitions. They have brought many laurels to the institution.
Criterion VI: Organization and Management
The organization structure is conducive to the smooth execution of managerial functions. It has an efficient internal coordinating and monitoring mechanism. The Management is totally dedicated to the cause of education and it is very supportive physically, morally and financially. It screens the performance appraisal of faculty and suggests suitable steps for improvement. A few lectures are arranged for administrative and technical staff to improve their communication skills. On the whole, both members of faculties and staff enjoy good rapport with the Management.
The finances of the college
are sound. The annual budget of the college amounts to about Rs.1,87,00,000 and
the money is carefully spent under relevant heads. There is an internal audit
mechanism which audits accounts suggesting effective financial management.
Mechanisms for internal quality assurance are very few.
Criterion VII: Healthy Practices
The following healthy practices have been identified in the institution, which help students.
1.
Provision
of certificate and diploma courses in addition to the regular curriculum.
2.
Training
in Yoga for interested students.
3.
Very
efficiently managed co-operative store.
4.
Encouragement
for cultural and sports activities.
5.
Perfect
rapport among the Management, faculty, supportive staff and students.
6.
Preparation
of hand written magazines by each department, news letters and the well edited
informative college magazine exhibiting the literary skills of the students.
BCM
College, situated in the heart of Kottayam city has been taking enormous
efforts during the past 44 years in imparting value oriented education to girls
from all economic strata. A majority of
the students are from low-income families from the villages in and around Kottayam. Being an affiliated college, it has
difficulties in offering curricular options to students, teachers and
parents. Therefore introduction of need
based, job-oriented courses in emerging areas poses problems. As such, the college offers traditional
courses designed by Mahatma Gandhi University.
In this knowledge-oriented era, there is an imminent need for
introducing diversified courses in the upcoming areas such as information
technology, tourism and travel management, electronics etc. When the pre-degree
programme is de-linked, the college would do well if it can plan with the
existing and external expertise, to offer applied need based programmes at both
the undergraduate and the postgraduate levels, fully utilizing the available
human resources and infrastructure facilities.
The existing members, if given adequate motivation and training, can be
helped to reorient themselves to develop competencies in the upcoming areas.
The following are the commendations and suggestions the Peer Team would like to
make for the institution:
·
The
infrastructure facilities are good in all the departments for existing
undergraduate programmes.
·
Tutorial/counseling
needs strengthening by formalizing counselling both personal and career, in a
systematic manner by professional counselors.
·
Apart
from the regular NSS programmes, departments evince enthusiasm in extending
services to the society. They may have tie-ups with NGO’s, social work
department and other government organizations and see that benefits of outreach
programmes reach society. The language departments may use their skills in
spreading useful messages among masses to bring social awareness on important
issues.
·
Maximum
additional utilization of space particularly in the library is highly
appreciable. However, additional space in the library would be advantageous for
the users.
·
The
functioning of the co-operative store, which caters for the needs of students
and staff, is commendable and this facilitates campus life.
·
In
the teaching learning situation, the lecture method is stressed with occasional
use of OHP and Charts.
·
Only
a few of the teachers are involved in their own research activities taken up
for professional advancement. Research of any other kind is totally lacking in
the system.
Ø Linking up with industries
is not found in programmes other than Food Science and Quality Control.
Ø Introduction of applied
postgraduate programmes of interdisciplinary nature would motivate teachers in
formulating research proposals and promoting research with the assistance of
funding agencies.
Ø Teachers need to be
encouraged to take up research to bring in research orientation and thereby consultancy services.
Ø Facilities need to be
improved as and when additional new courses are offered.
Ø The computer facility in the
college needs to be enhanced considerably to provide opportunities to all
students.
Ø Computerization of library
has just started and for quick and efficient library automation, the staff
concerned need computer orientation.
Ø Use of technologies such as
audiotape and video projection, brain-storming, etc., needs to be encouraged.
Ø Computer literacy is needed
for office staff to bring about office automation in the near future. Other
than listening to a few lectures, the support staff do not have any opportunity
to improve their skills and it would be a great support for them if they are
given training to improve their skills.
Ø Hostel facilities are good.
By providing additional bathrooms and toilets, the quality of hostel life will
be enhanced.
Ø The college has plans to
strengthen the social and extension activities, initiate and support
information technology programmes and women’s development issues. It is important to have a well drawn up plan
for the next decade to be executed in a phased manner. Since there is
inordinate delay in getting approval from the government in starting need based
aided courses, the departments may plan to offer relevant certificate courses.
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