Assessment Report on
Institutional Accreditation of
Carmel College for Women, Nuvem has a serene, beautiful and vast campus of 35 acres with excellent infrastructure. The college is located in rural Goa along the NH17 on the Margao-Cortalim road. The institution enjoys the permanent affiliation of Goa University in arts, science and commerce Faculties. The College started with a modest student enrolment of 30 in 1964 and today nearly 700 students are on its roll. 47 members are on the teaching faculty and 31 members on the non-teaching staff. Carmel College for Women was established on June 20, 1964.It is a minority institution managed by the congregation of the sisters of the Apostolic Carmel. This is the only women’s college in the state of Goa and is affiliated to Goa University. The college was under Bombay University in the beginning and came under Goa University when the latter was established in 1985. The unique feature of this institution is that it has been attracting students not only from Goa but also from other states and abroad. The institution believes in imparting quality education and making earnest efforts in moving towards academic excellence. The college has been recognised by the University Grants Commission under 2f and 12B of the UGC Act of 1956.
The college volunteered to be assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore and submitted its Self-Study Report. The Peer Team comprised Prof. M. Madaiah, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore, Karnataka as Chairman, Prof. K.G. Narayanpillai , Director CDC, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala and Dr. (Mrs.)Anne Mary Fernandez, Professor of Economics, Holy Cross College , Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu as members. The team visited Carmel College for women on 24th, 25th, & 26th August 1999.Dr. Latha Pillai , Deputy Adviser, NAAC, and Mr. Madhukar , Asst. Adviser, NAAC, ably coordinated the work of the Peer Team during its visit to this institution of higher learning. The Peer Team had the privilege of having wise counsel of Prof. A. Gnanam, Chairman, NAAC, on August 24th in Goa.
The Peer Team meticulously analysed the Self-Study Report submitted by the institution . During the three day visit to the college, Team went through all the relevant documents, visited the departments and the facilities- academic, extra-curricular, sports and extension, of the institution. It interacted with the Governing Body of the Carmel Society the Managing Committee, the Principal, faculty, non-teaching staff, representatives of students, parents and alumnae of the college. Based on the above exercise , the Peer Team has given its objective assessment in the ensuing pages, keeping in mind the seven criteria identified by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council.
Section 2: Criterion-wise Analysis
As an affiliated college of Goa University, Carmel College for Women follows the curriculum of the university. The syllabi incorporates multi-disciplinary components and a certain degree of flexibility. The college offers under-graduate programmes in arts, science and commerce faculties with a variety of electives, optionals and foundation courses. This allows greater freedom for students to choose their own curriculum and career planning. The college also offers UGC sponsored vocational course in bio-technology which is a popular area of study. The institution also offers in collaboration with NIIT, computer diploma and certificate courses to cater for the needs of students. Students have options to choose from mass-communication, child psychology, environmental studies, Gandhian studies, population education, History of India’s freedom struggle, current affairs, labour welfare and industrial relations, corporate management, advertising, Indian culture and heritage, entrepreneural development, financial account audit and taxation, business management. This choice base would facilitate students to mould careers. Project work is also introduced at the third year level. This encourages students to acquire experience in field work which will be useful in their career. The curriculum design and transaction focuses on good teaching as well as the overall personality development of the students. Students are appreciative of the services of the Management and faculty.
Criterion II: Teaching, learning and Evaluation.
Teaching, learning and evaluation is done through comprehensive planning and rigorous efforts for meticulous implementation. The needs of slow learners are met through tutorials and advanced learners are given special assignments and projects.
Teachers are dedicated and focussed as is evident from their time-bound teaching plans, unitising of syllabus, regular and periodic testing patterns etc. The college provides opportunities for faculty to develop themselves through refreshers, orientations and seminars. There are adequate, permanent full-time faculty. Teachers participate actively in all the curricular, extra-curricular and extension activities and their work is evaluated through self-appraisal. Learner-friendly methodologies like group discussions, debate, role-plays etc. are used. The use of audio-visual and computer aided media are minimal and there is scope for adopting more innovative methods of teaching. Students are appreciative of efforts taken by teachers to provide personalised guidance under the ‘Mentor System’. While the practise of pedagogy appears to be conventional and essentially teacher-centered and assessment of student performance terminal there is not much gain to either the teacher or the taught in terms of knowledge acquisition. The accountability of teachers is not formally assessed. These may be areas of concern.
Research activities of the college consist of projects for the third year students, in which both staff and students participate enthusiastically. Around 6% of the faculty posses research degrees and two more percent are at present involved in obtaining them. The department of zoology has successfully completed a research project, which has been recognized with an award. There are potential research activities being undertaken by the staff of the political science, psychology, Hindi and Konkani departments. A concerted effort to facilitate research through a formally constituted research cell may result in many successful research publications. Though an under-graduate college there is a need for the institution to focus on improving the faculties research profile through schemes like the UGC’s Faculty Improvement Programme (FIP). The involvement of staff in generating new knowledge through research and life-long learning will inspire students to greater dynamism and enthusiasm for scholarly pursuits.
Extension activities are planned and focussed. A wide range of them like adult-education, AIDS awareness, social work, medical camps, environmental awareness, women’s cell and those of the NCC, NSS provide ample scope for sensitizing students to social consciousness and concern for the less fortunate.
Participative funding for helping disadvantaged persons by staff and students is laudable as it indicates putting into practice social concerns by resource sharing. There is ample scope for linking the college’s extension activities with areas in curriculum, research, publication and consultancy. Research culture on the campus may be fostered to make both teachers and students think and produce knowledge.
The beautiful spacious campus set in a calm environment provides an ideal atmosphere for a serious pursuit of knowledge through higher education. The galaried classrooms, laboratory, library, museum, sports facilities, hostel, canteen, cooperative stores, auditorium, prayer room etc. provide ample infrastructure for the courses of study offered in the college. The time-sharing shift system for the college and higher secondary optimizes use of the existing infrastructure. The library block is ideally located and houses adequate support material for the courses of study offered in the college. However, there is scope for adopting the open access system by cultivating accountability among students for damages caused to books. Modern procedures like computerization, linkages with INFLIB net, inter-library exchanges and a photocopying facility can be contemplated to augment the existing learning resources. Providing a centralized computer facility and audio-video facility will promote the use of modern teaching, learning and testing technologies . Campus health centre for preliminary medical care and first aid may be added to the existing facilities of the college. Sports facilities are adequate to promote sports and this has been instrumental in students winning a number of trophies and prizes for sports and extra curricular activities. It is heartening to know that rural school students are permitted to visit some of these facilities.
The college constantly maintains good results in the university examinations. Financial aid is provided to needy students by way of scholarships instituted by the Management, faculty and the government. Sports and games facilities provided by the Management are worth mentioning.
A counseling cell is working in the college under a faculty member. Cultural programmes, debates, literacy mission , nature conservation , quizzes and study tours are being regularly organized in addition to the usual NCC and NSS activities. Provision for extra-curricular activities have been included in the budget estimate. The college magazine ‘Carmelines’ provides room for creative participation by students. Redressal of the grievances of the students has been informal. Career guidance and sex education are imparted to outgoing students. It is to be mentioned that graduates of the college pursue higher studies in India and abroad.
Earnest efforts need to be taken to revive the alumni association. The possibility of starting a formal grievance redressal cell and a placement cell may be explored. Career and personal counselling may be offered by professional counsellors.
The Carmel College is governed by a registered society in accordance with the Societies Registration Act 1860. There is a five member governing body for the society, in which the Principal is a member. An eight member Local Managing Committee (LMC) looks after the management of the college.
A representative each from the teaching staff and non-teaching staff are nominated to the LMC. The Principal is the secretary of the committee. The LMC meets at least twice a year and formulates policy decisions. Staff meetings are regularly convened to discuss internal issues. Staff members are divided into small committees and put in charge of various responsibilities pertaining to the day to day activities of the institution. The Principal enjoys considerable functional autonomy. The constitution of a planning board for exploring the possibility of developing research and consultancy may be looked into.
The staff are appointed by the Managing Committee as per government rules. Participation of teaching and non-teaching staff in setting goals on general, administrative and academic functions and working as an integral team to achieve the goals is a healthy feature of Carmel College.
valuable records and accounts of the college are maintained systematically and are open to internal and governmental verifications and audits.
Prospectus, calendar and annual reports are published systematically. The rules and regulations clearly indicate the earnestness of the institution in pursuing the goals set by the founders to provide value education and all-round personality development of all students.
The Peer Team identified the following unique features, which enhance the academic environment of the institution. They are:
a) Good leadership along with excellent interpersonal relationships among teaching and non-teaching staff and students helps in the smooth functioning of the college.
b) Links with foreign agencies and educational institutions, though indirect, is a welcome healthy practice seen in the college.
c) Morning assembly, activities based on UN themes, celebration of national festivals, pro-poor action programmes, environment-friendly actions, awareness and counselling on AIDS etc. need special mention.
d) Linkages with national institutions, industries, recognition and awards etc. are also worth mentioning.
Section 3: Overall Analysis
The Peer Team after going through the self-study report and after its three day visit to various academic and physical facilities is very much impressed by the remarkable progress of Carmel College for Women in transacting its vision and goals of advancement of the frontiers of knowledge of women students in the field of higher education . The College has earned a high reputation for imparting quality education to the younger generation in all the 35 years of its existence. Establishment of an institution of higher learning by Carmel Society in rural Goa with the purpose of uplifting and empowering women is laudable. The college has been very lucky to have committed Principals.
The Principal Sr. Margaret Angela A.C. has farsighted views and receptive new academic ideas. Teachers and staff have imbibed the spirit of academic excellence and service to the society. Value of social commitment and service pervade through all the activities of this college.
The college offers a wide-range of courses with wider options which will help students in shaping their career. However, the college needs to start more innovative career oriented courses for the benefit of students. The college authorities should also approach the UGC for more vocational courses. Further, it is high time the college moved towards autonomous status. Library needs to be strengthened with more books, journals, Internet and photocopying facilities. Modern teaching aids need to be acquired by the college to make teaching more innovative. Computer aided learning teaching may be prepared. The laboratories also need renovation and additional new equipment. A well-equipped computer centre is an urgent need for this institution to cater for growing aspirations of students. Teaching and non-teaching staff are to be encouraged to acquire additional qualifications in the interest of the institution. The college may approach the state Government , UGC , Alumnae , PTA , and other funding agencies to meet this additional requirement.
Teaching , learning and evaluation get their rightful emphasis in the college . A unique feature of the college is value education imparted even while teaching various regular courses . Care is taken by the institution for the all round development of personality of the students which would enable them to face challenges. The practice of continuous counselling by the faculty through the mentor system helps the students in achieving the ultimate purpose of education . The institution is taking utmost care to inculcate the spirit of national integration through morning assemblies and observing various days of national importance. Another salient feature is the use of UN annual themes in various activities of the college.
Organization and financial management are efficient and transparent. Further, one would witness an atmosphere of learning, discipline and harmony of vision in the academic fraternity of the college.
However, there is an urgent need for the expansion of academic facilities to meet the changing requirements of the student population. It is indeed highly commendable that the Carmel College, the only women’s college in the State of Goa has volunteered itself for assessment and accreditation by NAAC. This is a significant step taken by the institution.
Carmel College for Women, Nuvem, Goa has been rendering yeoman service in promoting women’s education since its inception in June 1964. Its achievements are quite impressive and potentialities are great. The Peer Team envisages a bright future for the college in the new millenium.