Assessment Report on
Institutional Accreditation of
Catholicate College
Pathanamthitta, Kerala
Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, was established in 1952 and is presently affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. It is the foremost educational institution of the Malankara Orthodox Church, founded by the late Catholicos, His Holiness Moran Mar Baselius Geevarghese II with a vision of creating “An Educated, Spiritually, Enlightened community, Committed to Manifest, God Through Life & Service”. The college came in to being as the fulfilment of the dream of a great visionary, His Grace Geevarghese Mar Philioxenos, Metropolitan. His Grace’s dream came true posthumously in 1952, thanks to the relentless efforts of His Grace Daniel Mar Philixenoes Metropolitan, who became the first principal of the college. The present manager of the college is His Grace Philipose Mar Eusebius who is also Manager of all the colleges run by the Church.
The college submitted its self-study report to NAAC for assessment in March, 1999. NAAC constituted a team comprising Prof.(Mrs.)Vidyavathi, Vice-Chancellor, Kakatiya university, Warangal, Dr. Mrutyunjaya P. Kulenur, Director, College Development Council, University of Mysore, Dr. M.M. Gandhi, Principal, T.C College, Baramati, Maharasthra visited the institution from 18th – 20th November 1999. The team was ably supported by Dr. Latha Pillai and Mr. Madhukar. B.S officers of NAAC. The Peer Team studied the report in detail and visited the institution to validate the same. The team interacted with the Management, faculty, non-teaching staff, students, parents and alumni and perused various records in the college. An objective assessment of the college is as follows:
During the last 48 years the college has grown to a full-fledged institute, the strength being about 3000 inclusive of Pre-Degree. In UG Degree the student strength is 1407 and P.G is 268. There are 34 research students. The college is located in an idyllic atmosphere on Makkankunnu. The college is much sought after by students, as there are more applications than the seats available in this college. The institute is full-fledged with 9 Post-Graduate departments, 4 research departments and 11 under-graduate departments.
The buildings that house various post-graduate departments have well-ventilated rooms. The new administrative block has the Principal’s office and the department of commerce. The college provides hostel facilities for boys and girls along with the new ladies’ hostel nearing completion. There is well- furnished computer facility and about 60 students and four teachers undergo training. 8 courses are offered at the centre.
The college has a team of 151 committed teachers, 25 of whom are qualified for Ph.D., 27 for M.Phil, and nearly 50 teachers are involved in research. The postgraduate departments of Malayalam, Hindi, botany and zoology have full-fledged research programmes. Other departments are also engaged in research. However more subjects have to be introduced still at P.G level. The Botanical Garden and animal house are attached to the departments concerned. Science labs are well-equipped. The chemistry department offers the M. Sc. polymer chemistry course. The science departments perform satisfactorily.
Internal assessment is a part of student evaluation as per the university norms. The college practises evaluation of teachers by students for self-improvement. Seminars debates and quiz are arranged regularly by the staff. Audio-visual aids are also used in some departments in the college.
The college has very strong parent-teacher and alumni associations, which help in various ways viz. finances and support to other college activities. The college also has a very good and strong NSS wing, which has won the Moses trophy for the best NSS unit in Kerala. The college has also a women’s cell, a counselling centre and a hall for prayer and mediation. The college canteen, a co-operative store, and a post office are all on the campus. There is a well-developed physical education department, and the teachers also take part in peoples’ programmes and adult literacy campaign.
Section 2: Criterion- wise analysis
Criterion I: Curricular Aspects
Catholicate College is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University and it follows the curriculum and syllabi, offered by the University. However, the college has been able, since its establishment, to offer a wide range of courses and programme options, which are compatible with the goals and objectives of the Educational Agency and the institution. The college offers computer education and training to students as well as teachers. There are eight courses offered in computer education.
The course options may be increased in the Department of Commerce, which offers presently only one paper every year, which is made compulsory for the entire class. Besides, the college may introduce UGC vocational and job-oriented courses in some of the departments, including the department of Commerce. The college may adopt Model II curriculum introduced by M.G University, which includes the re-structured syllabus with vocational aspects. However, it is noticed that some teachers are subject experts for under-graduate courses. The HOD of English is also member of the Core Committee for re-structuring syllabus at the under-graduate level. The IGNOU centre was established in 1992 in the college campus, which offers distance learning courses with suitable options.
The college has appropriate teaching-learning and evaluation methods. The provision for students’ knowledge and aptitude test at the entry level (before admission) is not in practice for any of the courses and programmes.
However, there is a mechanism for assessing students’ knowledge and skills after admission to provide for bridge courses as and when required. The college conducts remedial classes for all the students, as they are made compulsory by M.G. University. The college plans the timetable accordingly. In addition, tutorial classes are arranged for the educationally disadvantaged students in all the departments with the financial assistance of the social welfare department of the Government of Kerala. The department of Mathematics conducts enrichment courses for the students and teachers from other departments.
Advanced learners are offered many avenues through the activities of the debating societies, science club, quiz club, career guidance centre, subject and professional associations established in the college.
The college prepares an academic calendar. The teaching plans and curriculum planning are done departmentally at the beginning of the academic year. The syllabi are unitized according to a teaching schedule throughout the year in all the departments except in polymer chemistry which follows the semester system. In every class a senior teacher co-ordinates the works of all teachers. The progress of the departments and students is assessed periodically. The college supplements the lecture method of teaching by organising debates, seminars, skits etc. and the performance of students is assessed by the teachers and given credit in internal assessment.
Most of the UG departments adopt the lecture method of teaching. Some of the PG departments use audio-visual aids. The college should be able to develop and provide “centralized media” facility to prepare audio-visual and other teaching aids. The college follows continuous evaluation methods, formulated by M G University, as part of the curriculum. The evaluation methods are communicated and explained to the students at the beginning of the year.
The college monitors the over-all performance of the students. Evaluation methods include home assignments, monthly test papers, mid-term and model examinations. The present system of evaluation has come into vogue, since 1998–99.
The college follows the self-appraisal method to evaluate the performance of the faculty in teaching, and research, institutional performances and extension activities, participation in corporate life, seminars, conferences etc. The college has a mechanism for obtaining student feedback on teachers’ performance which is periodically undertaken at the UG and PG level with two different questionnaires. Most of the PG and UG departments organise seminars, and conferences. The PG department of mathematics has organized a self-financed refresher course approved by the UGC and certified by the M G University.
The College has been able to create a congenial atmosphere for research in various post-graduate departments. About 20% of the teachers are actively engaged in research work. The post-graduate departments of Malayalam, Hindi, botany, zoology are full-fledged research departments which altogether have produced 21 Ph.Ds. Two students have completed their research work. Presently 40 full-time and part-time research scholars are doing their research work in these four departments. The post-graduate departments of English and mathematics have applied for registration as research departments. The post-graduate department of Malayalam undertook and completed a major research project funded by the UGC, with a total assistance of Rs. 3 lakhs. There are six minor research projects funded by the UGC with a total financial assistance of Rs 1,03,000. Five self-funded minor research projects have been undertaken by some of the PG departments of the college. The College has received sponsorship from AIACHE (All India Association of Christian Higher Education) for promoting research. Twelve teachers from various PG research departments are university-recognized research guides.
Out of 128 permanent teachers 25 teachers possess Ph.D. degrees and 27 have M.Phil. degrees. 19 teachers are selected under the Faculty Improvement Programme of the UGC for doing research work for the award of M.Phil./ Ph.D. degree under IX plan. 30 teachers have pursued on part-time basis their research work for the award of M.Phil./ Ph.D. degree. The college encourages the departments to publish departmental journals and organize seminars and conferences. The college publishes ‘Catholicate Review’ a journal. The PG departments of English, physics and zoology publish quarterly-journals at the local level. As there is potential in PG departments of botany and zoology the college should be able to promote consultancy services to local inhabitants and industries.
The college has been able to provide opportunities and adequate facilities for extension activities. There are designated persons for the extension activities. The extension activities fulfill the need of the community and enrich the learning experiences of students. Teachers and students actively participate in the extension activities organized by NSS, Literacy Centre and the ADIC club. The NSS unit has a very good service record. The unit was declared the best unit of the MG University in the academic year 1994-95 and by the State Government in the academic year 1995-96. MG University has declared one teacher as the best NSS programme officer of the year 1994-95. The NSS students of this college were selected for Republic Day parade held in New Delhi on 26 January 1993.
Criterion IV: Infrastructure and Learning Resources
During the last 48 years, within the limits of its resources, the college has provided infrastructure to meet the growing demands of higher education. The buildings like class rooms, laboratories, hostels, auditorium, conference halls, canteen, library, play grounds, prayer hall, ladies’ waiting room, women’s cell, computer centre, co-operative bank etc have been planned very well.
The Management provides spacious classrooms and well-equipped laboratories. The college is located in a semi–urban area on a 30 acre land, which is sufficient for any future expansion of the college. The annual maintenance is done with the help of the contribution by the Management, donation by the public and UGC grants. Supervision is made by the college administration with the help of the faculty members. The classes are run from 9.30 am to 3:30 pm , and a few computer classes and workshop practical, remedial classes for English and mathematics students are held after 3:30 pm to help the students , thereby making better use of the facilities.
The new administrative block was completed in 1997 at the cost of Rs 1 crore, which provides space for the Principal’s office, the administrative office, the Bursar’s office, students’ counselling centre with prayer hall attached and the department of commerce.
Most of the departments have departmental libraries. The general library provides 60000 books in all subject areas. During the last two years a good number of books and journals have been provided to the library. The library works from 9 am to 4 pm on all working days. Facilities like photocopying, video and audiocassettes etc. are available. There is an advisory committee for the library to look after the over-all development of the library. However, the lack of book-bank facility may be attended to , and inter-library borrowing system, computerisation of the library system, and timings of the library may be improved.
Apart from the central computer centre, computer facilities are available in many of the departments. This is available even in the college office and in the Principal’s chamber. The computer centre works from 8 am to 4:45 pm. Courses like PGDCA, DCA, DCS are offered to students. The computers are maintained with technical assistance from GENTEK Computers for software installation and hardware maintenance.
Hostel facility is provided for more than 200 students. The college maintains two hostels. One hostel is for boys which provides accommodation for 40 students. The other is for girls. Majority of post-graduate students stay in the hostels. The new hostel for girls is nearing completion. The cost of the building may be around Rs.75 lakhs.
The college has the physical education centre with facilities like 200 Mts athletic track, football ground, volleyball court, table tennis room and shuttle badminton court. To encourage sports activities the college provides concession at the time of admission, awards by PTA, and free hostel accommodation to students. During 1997-98 many students participated in university, state and national level competitions.
The college conducts annual medical check-up for students. Extension counter of the State Bank of Travancore, Post Office , intercom and fax facilities are also available on the campus.
Criterion V: Student Support and Progression
The College maintains good results and secures ranks in the university examinations. During the last two years students of mathematics, history, Hindi, botany and Malayalam have secured ranks in the university examinations. Financial support is provided to the needy students in the form of scholarships. Apart from national merit scholarships and State merit scholarships, other scholarships like Parent-Teacher Association scholarships, sports scholarships, and endowments have been given to students. The scholarship amount is about Rs. 1.32 lakhs. A large number of students get one or the other scholarship from the college.
The department of physical education of the college supervises the sports activities and games. The department organized a two month programme for athletics. The college team participated in a number of inter-collegiate tournaments.
Camps for football coaching, cricket tournaments, volleyball tournaments etc… are the regular activities of the college. A few students of the college represented the university as well as the State in some activities. During the year 1997-98 two students represented Kerala State in Soft Ball. Again during 1998-99 one student represented Kerala State in softball. One girl student got the prize for Athletics (shot put) at a state level competition. Sports persons are provided facilities like free hostel accommodation, free breakfast during the days of practice and match, and financial aids through scholarships.
The college has made provision for counselling with the assistance of a qualified counsellor. Teachers also offer academic and personal counselling in the campus. The college may consider establishing a career and guidance cell and a scheme for training students to prepare for competitive examinations at state and national levels.
The alumnae of the college maintain an active relationship with their Alma Mater. Over the years the college has produced professionals in different walks of life such as engineering, education, medicine, law, banking, nursing, business etc…The alumni are proud of being the products of the college for having received education centred on human development which was expressed during the interaction with parents and alumnae. The Old Students Association has been doing a good job in mobilizing resources for the benefit of the college and the needy students.
Criterion VI: Organisation and Management
The College is governed by a four-tier system of organisation. At the top there is the Educational Agency, the Catholicos H.H. Moran Mar Baselius Marthoma Mathews II. The second tier is the local Governing Body which consists of the Manager, the Principal, the Bursar, eminent educationalists, and selected representatives of the staff .
The College Council is the third, represented by the Principal, HOD’s, and elected staff members. The above said bodies work for the academic improvement of the faculty and the overall development of the college. Internal co-ordination and monitoring is done by the Principal and the College Council. During the last two years, committees like Construction Committee, Library Committee, Grievance Redressal Committee and Hostel Committee were constituted to look after the organization and management of the respective concerns. Further, there is a special committee for preparing the academic calendar which consists of the members of the College Council. Staff members are divided into small committees and assigned various responsibilities pertaining to the day to day functioning of the institution.
The non-teaching employees are recruited as per the government/university rules. The confidential reports are maintained for determining eligibility for promotion and for allocation of responsibilities among the employees. Disciplinary action has been initiated against students engaged in ragging.
For the effective functioning of the college the cooperation of the teaching and the non-teaching staff and the student union is obtained. Loan facilities are available to staff in times of need from the Co-operative Bank of the college. Though there is no internal audit mechanism, the financial management of the college is done without any problems.
The college functions under the frame work of the administrative set-up designed by the government. Hence the college is not in a position to introduce any changes in the administration. However, on the whole the Peer Team was impressed with the discipline, service culture and team spirit of the members of the staff and the Principal of the college.
The centre develops various application packages like computer fundamentals, word processor, operating system, Database Management System, LAN, Windows etc
Hostel facility is provided for more than 200 students. The college maintains three hostels. One hostel is for boys which provides accommodation for 40 students. The remaining two hostels are for girls. Majority of post graduate students stay in the hostels. The new hostel for girls is nearing its completion. The cost of the building may be around 75 lakhs.
The Peer Team observe the following healthy practices:
1. A few self financing courses
2. Active research and a good number of publications by a few teachers
3. Students involvement in voluntary services
4. Good inter-personal relationship among teaching, non teaching staff and students
6 Involvement of parents
7 Earn while learn Scheme offered by physics department
Catholicate college is one of the institutes in the area which caters for the needs of the local poor people. The college provides service to the community and one of the reasons for Pathanamthitta being made a district head quarter. It has a good social reputation and support of the community and the college will be celebrating the Golden jubilee in the year 2002.
While appreciating the efforts of the college, the following suggestions may be considered for strengthening its overall functioning.
1. The introduction of more courses under the model II pattern may provide variety and relevance to students in their course options.
2. The teachers may be encouraged to participate in seminars and conferences in their subject areas as well as pedagogical methods.
3. The college management may consider obtaining and disseminating information from various funding agencies regarding professional development of teachers and schemes for promoting research.
4. The initiatives introduced by the college in the recent past such as the publication of Catholicate Review and department journals may be sustained through a formal action plan for the institution.
5. Computerisation of the library and providing book bank facilities may be considered.
6. Possibility of providing consultancy services to the community and industries can be explored .
7. Proposals may be submitted for launching UGC vocational courses along with self- funded job-oriented courses.
8. Computer facilities need up-gradation and enhancement of hardware and software may be ensured.
9. Encouragement to the faculty to use modern teaching aids may be considered.
10. Counselling , career guidance and other student support services may be enhanced.
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