Assessment Report on

Institutional Accreditation of

Nirmala College

Muvattupuzha, Kerala

 

Section 1.  Preamble

Nirmala College volunteered to be assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, Bangalore and submitted a Self-Study in September, 1999. A Peer Team was constituted by the Council to visit the college and validate the Self-Study Report.  The Peer Team consisted of Prof. M. Madaiah, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore (Chairman), Prof. Pramada Devi, Principal of the Osmania University college for women, Hyderabad (member) and Dr. Bantwal Shivarama Holla, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Chemistry, Mangalore University (member).  The Peer Team paid visit to the college on 25th and 26th October, 1999.  Dr. Latha Pillai, Deputy Advisor, NAAC and Dr. M.S. Shyamasundar, Assistant Advisor, NAAC facilitated the Peer Team throughout the visit to this institution of higher learning.

 

Nirmala College was established in June 1953 and is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.  It is a minority institution managed by the Corporate Educational Agency of the Diocese of Kothamangalam.  It was the first college to provide higher education to the students from the High Ranges of Idukki District, one of the most backward districts in this State.  The institution aims at achieving academic excellence coupled with integrity of character.  The college has been recognised by the University Grants Commission under 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act of 1956.

 

Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha has a serene, beautiful and vast campus of 53 acres with good infrastructure.  The college offers 10 Under Graduate Courses, 5 Post Graduate courses and a doctoral programme in Chemistry.  The institution has a well qualified teaching faculty strength of 136 including 15 Ph.D. holders and 26 M.Phil. holders.  There are 80 members in the Non-teaching staff including 30 technical staff.  The college has an undergraduate student population of 1120 and a Post Graduate student population of 139 besides 7 students in Ph.D. programme.  The college is a coeducational institution. A unique feature of this premier institution is that it has been catering for the needs of mainly rural students of Idukki District.

 

The Peer Team carefully perused and analysed the Self-Study Report submitted by the college authorities.  During the institutional visit of two days, the committee went through all the relevant documents and papers and visited the departments and facilities - academic, extra-curricular, sports and extension wings of the college. The Peer Team also interacted at length with the Governing Body, Principal, Faculty, Non-teaching staff, students, parents and alumni of the College.  Based on the above exercise, and keeping in mind the seven criteria identified by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, the Peer Committee has given its objective assessment of the institution in the ensuing paragraphs.

 

Section 2. Criterion-wise Analysis 

Criterion I:  Curricular Aspects

Innovative Curriculum design and introduction of a wide-range of courses, at the under-graduate and the post-graduate levels, go a long way in moulding the career of younger students in the various walks of life in the modern society.  As an affiliated College of Mahatma Gandhi University, Nirmala College follows the curriculum of the University meticulously.  The syllabi incorporates multidisciplinary components and a certain amount of flexibility.  The college offers ten undergraduate programmes including 3 B.A. (Malayalam, Hindi, Economics) and 6 B.Sc. (mathematics, physics, physics electronic equipment maintenance) courses. There are 5 Post-Graduate Programmes including  2 M.A. (Malayalam, Economics) One M.Com and 2 M.Sc. (Chemistry, Statistics) courses.  In addition, to cater for the changing needs of students, the college offers diploma courses in computer applications, ‘A’ Level and ‘O’ Level courses through its sister institution, viz. Nirmala Computer Academy located on the campus.  B.Com with Computer Applications and B.Sc. Physics with Electronic Equipment Maintenance are some of the market driven courses offered by this institution. Project work is part of the curriculum in some departments.  This encourages students to get experience in the field work which will be useful in their career.  The college also offers additional courses to broaden students’ awareness regarding society, seminars on moral education and life orientation.  The curriculum design and transaction focuses on teaching as well as the overall development of students.  The institution has a genuine concern in the holistic development of students, taking personal care in their academic, psychological, spiritual, social and emotional needs.  Students are appreciative of the services of the management, principal and teachers.

 

However, the college can take some deliberate steps to provide a competitive edge to students by exposing them to information technology in all the Departments.  Job oriented courses like B.B.M. and other management courses should also receive a special attention of the college authorities.  Feedback from academic peers, employees and industrialists, PTA and Alumni Association can provide insights  into the areas of future expansion.  U.G.C. vocational courses could be introduced, as career orientation is a concern of the management, which in turn, would complement and support the traditional subjects and courses.

 

Criterion II:  Teaching-Learning and Evaluation

Assessing the low comprehension of students from remote rural back ground, remedial and bridge courses are offered.  Students who perform better are encouraged to participate in seminars.

 

The faculty prepare their teaching plan and they adhere to it. The tutorial system adopted by the college is commendable as it reveals the concern of teachers towards the ward.  Periodical tests, assignments and seminar are of help in the continuous assessment of students.  The steps taken by the college to pass on the assessment feedback to students and parents for further improvement is commendable.  Practice of conducting term tests, model examination to keep the students alert in learning is highly appreciative.  User friendly administrative support puts the students at ease.

 

Faculty participation in seminars, workshops, refresher courses is very well encouraged by the college.  Arranging series of guest lecturers, conducting orientation, seminars for teachers reflect the keen interest of the institution in the academic development of the faculty.  Quite a good number of teachers are given the opportunity to attend various seminars and some teachers of this institution have also served as resource persons.

 

Criterion III:  Research, Consultancy and  Extension

Teaching and Research are complementary to each other. Provision of study leave and seed money facility encourage the research culture among the faculty.  Some of the departments are actively engaged in research.  The active researchers motivating others is a healthy sign of academic development. The duly constituted Research Committee takes care of, and review, the project proposals before sending them to funding agencies.  Ongoing projects worth   Rs. 4.5 lakh are in progress.

 

The department of Statistics has developed some packages like SPSS, MUTAT. The department of Physics has published a manual for practical work and four text books published by the faculty of Chemistry for pre-degree and degree courses is  commendable.  The zoology department has also published two text books.

 

Besides curricular activities, the college shows keen interest in extension activities to enrich the learning experience of students. The three units of NSS and the NCC unit of the college are quite active and have brought many laurels.  One of the members of the non-teaching staff has been actively involved in educative programmes such as eradication of alcoholism, drug abuses and other social evils which is highly commendable and needs further encouragement. 

 

P.G. students are involved in Project -Work.  Introduction of seminars at U.G. level is a welcome sign for the future development of research aptitude .  The consultancy  services extended by Chemistry and Zoology Departments in a moderate way is noteworthy.  The Management may extend all co-operation to improve it and make it a full fledged consultancy unit.

 

Criterion IV:  Infrastructure and Learning Resources

The Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha, Kerala is situated in a big campus of 53 acres of land by the side of the State highway No. 33 connecting Ernakulam to Idukki.  The campus is full of shady trees and a pollution free environment is what it enjoys.

 

The main block was constructed as a three storied building with a plinth area of 6763 sq.m.  It houses the offices of the Principal, Vice-principal, Manager, Bursar and the administrative office.  The staff rooms of 8 departments, room for non-teaching staff, laboratory for UG courses, seminars/lecturer halls, dark rooms, co-operative stores and class rooms for UG classes are located here.  Support felicities like waiting rooms, rest rooms and toilets are provided in the building. 

 

The PG Block was completed in 1980.  It is a three storied building with a plinth area of 2306 sq.m.  The staff rooms of Hindi, Malayalam and Statistics are situated in this block.  Class rooms for P.G. courses and a P.G. Library  are housed in the same block.

 

The college has an auditorium cum library block.  It is a two-storied building with a total area of 1443 sq. m.  The main library functions in the basement floor with an area of 585 sq. m. Computerisation of library is likely to be completed shortly. (March 2000). The auditorium has a seating capacity of 1500.  Literary programmes, dramatics and concerts are conducted here.  A computer lab is also situated in the main building.  Commerce and statistics departments are using this as a joint facility for running computer courses.  The departments of commerce, statistics, chemistry, zoology and physics have generated funds for research and extension activities to the tune of Rs. 4 lakhs from outside agencies such as DBT, UGC, Kerala State Science and Technology Board.

 

The college has good facilities for out door games such as foot ball, volley ball (3 courts) basket ball (2 courts), ball and shuttle badminton (3 courts) and a track and field,  cricket oval and jumping pits.  Besides, the college also has indoor games facilities like chess, carrom and table tennis.  The college has obtained several laurels at the inter collegiate level competition.

 

The library has a collection of 39,940  books and 81 journals and periodicals.  Some of the journals are useful for the research activities of the PG departments. Over head projectors, T.V., VCR, multi-media scanner, internet connection, fax machine, photostat machine and computers are available for use by students and teachers to improve their teaching and learning work respectively. Last year, the library spent Rs. 1.89 lakhs on books and 0.28 lakh on journals.

 

The drop out rates of certain departments are rather high (20-30%). This is attributed to students leaving courses in search of professional courses.  In all, the members of the faculty have published 20 research papers. Eight faculty members have used the benefit of FIP of the UGC Scheme and have obtained their M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees. Fourteen  members are expected to be deputed under the FIP during the ninth plan period. 

 

 

 

Criterion V:  Student Support and Progression

The college is helping the students in getting a number of merit, merit-cum-means scholarships, scholarships for the physically handicapped, AIACE scholarships.  After the minimum period of study, 68.65% of students appear for the qualifying examination.  The dropout rate is 24%. A good many of the students join the programmes and leave for job oriented courses such as a BCA, MCA, Nursing, BBM etc., after the last date of admission.  Thus the college is not in a position to fill up the vacancies.   The student progression to employment is 13.3%, while progression to higher studies amounts to 29.3%.   43 Awards have been instituted by the college for conferment on meritorious students.  A student-aid fund functions in the campus to offer financial assistance to students from backward areas.  Hostel accommodation and mess are given to eligible SC and ST students.

 

The college union and departmental associations are elected bodies with a one year tenure, which actively organise cultural, sport and literary festivals.  Besides the debate clubs, the Women’s Association and the Fine Arts Club give opportunities to students to improve their skills.  Women’s day celebration and cultural programmes  are arranged annually.  Inputs from PTA are given due consideration.

 

Nearly 13 PG students have passed UGC-CSIR Net examination which reflects the creditability of education imparted in the PG departments. The Counselling Cell, and the career guidance cell motivate the students to pursue advanced studies and get good placements.

 

A  grievance redressal cell headed by a senior faculty member takes care of the grievances of the  staff and students.  Spiritual and academic counselling are pursued regularly to impart value based education.  Students of the college are well accepted in various walks of life because of their academic background and personality.

 

Criterion VI:  Organisation and Management

The Management of the college is supervised by a Managing Board consisting of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Syncllys of the Diocese of Kothamangalam(Ex-officio President), Principal of the college, one elected representative each from the teaching and non teaching staff, a representative of PTA (nominated by the Patron), former Principals, and some distinguished Catholics of Kothamangalam  Diocese.

 

The term of office for all members except the Principal and the President is three years.  The Managing Board meets twice a year giving prior meeting notices.  The duties of the Managing Board consist of policy framing, maintaining proper atmosphere, hostel management and approving the budget. The college has an efficient internal co-ordinating and monitoring mechanism with good co-ordination.  An advisory committee looks after the printing of the academic calendar which is strictly adhered to.

 

There are many welfare schemes available for faculty and non teaching staff such as housing loan through Nirmala Co-operative Society, loans through salary deduction, provident fund, pension and group insurance schemes.

 

The Management may consider providing admission to the children of the teaching and non teaching staff of the college in recognition of their services rendered to the institution.

 

Criterion VII:  Healthy Practices

The institution works with  specific goals and objectives.  Their motto is value based education and equal opportunity to all. The aim is to bring out the hidden potentialities and develop in students a holistic growth. Within the given freedom, the college has chosen the courses to suit employment opportunities. Introduction of need based courses like electronic equipment maintenance course and computer awareness contributes to meet the needs of students. Attempts to promote the research aptitude of faculty is commendable. Participation of students and faculty in extension activities reflects their social commitment.  Though the college has certain constraints because of its semi-rural location, its linkages with various educational institutions at the national level are noteworthy.  Steps taken by the Management to organise endowment lectures and to publish them reflect their keen interest in promoting enrichment activities.  About 20 members of the faculty have visited various countries on deputation.  This is another healthy practice followed by the institution as it provides good exposure to the faculty.  The college has a strong PTA and an alumni association while both contribute to the overall development of the institution.

 

 

 

Section 3.  Overall Analysis

 

The Peer Team wishes to note the following as areas of strength:

·       Nirmala College impressed the Peer Team by the vision and goals of the institution.

·       Establishment of an institution of higher learning in this rural backward setting with the purpose of imparting quality education is laudable.

·       The college has earned a high reputation in the surrounding areas for imparting quality education to the younger generation of students in all the 46 years of its existence.

·       Values of social commitment and service pervade through all the activities of this  premier institution.

·       There is a commitment  to the academic and extra curricular activities of the students who go through this college.

·       Students are exposed to the social milieu and challenges of the world outside.

·       The Principal Dr. Thomas Periappuram has farsighted views and receptive to new academic ideas.

·       The Management, administrative functionaries, faculty  and non-teaching staff have imbibed the spirit of academic excellence and service to the society.

·       Teaching, learning and evaluation get their due importance.  Value education is emphasised in this institution for the overall development of student.

·       Infrastructure facilities are quite good.

·       Organisation and management are efficient and transparent. 

·       Over and above, one could see an atmosphere of learning, discipline and harmony of vision in the academic fraternity. 

·       Research culture is prevalent and that should be further encouraged. 

·       Extension activities carried out by the college are appreciated and they should be strengthened.

 

With these academic strengths, the college might wish to consider the feasibility of fitting into its system the following:

 

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