Assessment Report on
Institutional Accreditation of
Quaid-E-Millat Govt. College for Women
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Section 1:
Introduction
Quaid-E-Millat Govt. Arts
College for Women, affiliated to the Madras University, offered itself
voluntarily to undergo the process of assessment and accreditation by the
National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore. Accordingly,
the college prepared and submitted to the NAAC in November 1999 a self-study
report which then constituted the Peer Team consisting of the following to
visit the college for the purpose of assessment.
·
Dr.
A.N.P. Ummerkutty, former Vice Chancellor, Calicut University (Chairman)
·
Prof.
D.S. Devaraj Urs, Professor, Institute of Development Studies, Mysore
University (Member)
·
Prof.
Ramesh Trimbak Sane, Principal, Ramanarain Ruia College & Hon. Director,
TDM Laboratory, Mumbai (Member)
The Peer Team visited the
college on 24th and the 25th of January 2000 for the
assessment work.
Located in the heart of the
metropolitan city of Chennai in a campus of 30 acres, the college has a
beautiful set up with some greenery very near Connemara Library and several
other places of learning. The college was started in 1974, though the imposing
buildings, furniture equipment and an unusual collection of old and rare books
belong to an earlier period and an earlier institution. The college prides
itself as one of the foremost government institutions to address the needs of
higher education of women students in the fast changing scenario of free India.
While there were only a few hundred students in 1974, today it is one of the
largest UG arts colleges in the state of TamilNadu with more than 3300 students
and 12 UG and 5 PG courses in a variety of subjects. The most interesting
educational feature of the college is that it caters essentially for the needs
of the poor and socially backward young women of the neighborhood though
located in one of the most fashionable localities of the city.
That the Quaid-E-Millat
Govt. Arts College for Women, has voluntarily come forward to undergo the
process of assessment and accreditation by NAAC is appreciable. It clearly
shows that the college authorities have real concern for quality in education
and also in the welfare of students. They have asserted that the assessment
process is being undertaken with a view of renewing and rededicating themselves
to the cause of quality and excellence in higher education.
The Peer Team thoroughly studied and analyzed
the Self-Study Report submitted by the college. During the visit to the
institution, the Peer Team focussed its attention on validating the data and
materials contained in the Self-Study Reports and other documents made
available to them. They visited every nook and corner of the vast campus and
saw all the academic and administrative units along with other supporting
facilities. They also had extensive discussions with all the constituents of
the college – the Principal, faculty, students, parents, alumni and other
groups. They also scrutinized all the relevant documents to facilitate the
process of assessment.
On the basis of the detailed
examination of the Self-Study Report, visits to all the academic and
administrative units and other supporting facilities, scrutinization of the
relevant documents and in the light of the criteria evolved by NAAC, the Peer
Team assessed the quality of education prevailing in the Quaid-E-Millat Govt.
Arts College for Women, Chennai. The assessment of the team in terms of the
criteria-wise approach and overall analysis, along with the commendations and
suggestions for further growth of the institution are presented in the
following pages.
The major objective of the institution is to
provide access to higher education for
women and to empower them. The focus is particularly on the socially
disadvantaged groups and to that extent the programmes are generally in
conformity with the goals and the objectives of the institution. As an affiliated
college of the Madras University, the college offers 18 courses out of which 12
are undergraduate and 5 post graduate courses and 1 M.Phil programme in
history. Two UGC sponsored vocational courses in zoology and commerce are
offered. The college started with six courses and over the years, additional
courses were added and it has grown steadily in the last 25 years responding to
the requirements of society. Some proposals are also in the offing like B.A.
Corporate, M.Sc. Nutrition and Dietetics, to improve the career prospectus of
students. The college thus provides an opportunity for vertical mobility to
students.
As an affiliated college, the syllabus
prescribed by the university is followed and that is the major constraint for
introducing any innovations. However, the faculty have been enriching the
academic experience of students through co-curricular, extra-curricular and
extension activities. While vocationalization has not been possible in the
areas excepting commerce and zoology, the college should move in the direction
of extending such opportunities by identifying need-based courses. Most of the
courses are conventional and in the coming years the college may plan to make a
departure in order not only to compete with other institutions in the
metropolitan area but also to equip students with the needed skills to meet
emerging challenges.
Interdepartmental
co-operation appears to be at the level of sharing expertise which need to be
strengthened to provide flexible interdisciplinary options. The college has
been offering enrichment courses like computer education for the benefit of
students. It should be enlarged and further strengthened. Several short-term
certificate courses can also be designed by the college to help students
acquire additional skills as they have their free time in the afternoon and in
the evenings. Several short-term diploma courses and certificate courses may be
offered for the benefit of the community particularly women, and also to
utilize the infrastructure optimally. Proposals already made by the college
such as Diploma in Financial Management and Diploma in Marketing Management can
be expedited. The Peer Team observes that the departments like chemistry, home
science and commerce have the competence to offer post-graduate courses.
Restructuration of syllabi within the affiliating framework may be undertaken
as an in institutional exercise in consultation with senior educators and with
senior educators and experts.
Admissions to the various courses are in
accordance with the policy of reservation of the Govt. of Tamil Nadu with a
view to extend opportunity for different strata of society. It is interesting
to note that the cut-off percentage for most of the courses ranges between 60 %
and 98 % and even among the candidates who belong to reserved categories, it is
significantly high implying that a large number of students enter the portals
of the college on their own merit. During 1998-99, 12,907 applied for 996 seats
in the first year degree course. The Peer Team appreciates the computerization
of the admission process. There is considerable rush for admission to some
courses like commerce and the computer science where the ratio is 54:1 and 62:1
respectively. It is interesting to note that similar rush is noticed in
mathematics where the ratio is 21:1. This is an indication of the demand for
the courses required by the student community. There is no provision for
assessing students’ knowledge and skill for a particular program before
admission. However, several remedial courses and co-curricular activities are
conducted to enhance skills of students. Remedial classes for English,
mathematics and chemistry are said to have been conducted.
The college offers two
parallel streams (both Tamil and English medium) in six subjects excepting in
computer science, mathematics, commerce and nutrition and dietetics in order to
widen access to education for women. The Team observed that the performance of
the Tamil stream is not satisfactory as it can be seen from the statistics
available. This needs further strengthening.
The college has 128
teachers. They have shouldered the responsibility to meet the challenges of
providing higher education to socially disadvantaged groups. Two thirds of the
teachers have completed their Ph.D.s and 89 of them have completed their
M.Phil. It is desirable that the remaining teachers are motivated to pursue
their research interests as it helps in strengthening the academic activities
of the departments and also individually. Only 19 teachers have participated in
national seminars and two have been resource persons. There are ample
opportunities for the professional development of teachers because of the
locational advantages and better access to these opportunities. The faculty
should be encouraged to avail themselves of these opportunities. The Peer Team
observed that only a few departments have organized seminars and it should be
widely adopted by the remaining departments, particularly the PG departments.
The use of audio visual teaching aids, computer assisted interaction with the
experiment models may supplement the traditional method of learning may become
increasing learner-centred.
Students are assessed by
conducting periodical tests and seminars. Model examinations in both theory and
practicals are being conducted to help them. They are also trained through
question banks prepared by the faculty members. A regular tutorial system is
practised and the progress of the wards is monitored and parents are informed
about it. Special efforts are made by teachers to help students perform better
in the final examinations.
The team observed that the
performance of the UG students is highly satisfactory as reflected in the high
pass percentages. However, the performance of students is to be improved in the
PG programmes. The Peer Team appreciated the efforts made by some departments
in securing ranks.
Faculty may be persuaded to
explore possibilities of seeking improvement to enlarge their academic
activities. Only a few teachers have acquired training in the use of computers.
It is desirable that facilities should be made available for imparting computer
education to not only teachers but also to non-computer students.
The conventional lecture
method needs to be changed to make students participate in learning processes.
Teaching innovations must be encouraged and supported. Only a few teachers are
actively engaged in publishing their research output. It is desirable that the
remaining teachers also get involved in publication of their research output.
Teachers are encouraged to avail themselves FIP programmes and that should be
further strengthened.
The college has been emphasizing teaching
rather than research. The percentage of
the faculty involved in research is not significant. The Peer Team felt that
faculty should involve vigorously in promoting research at all levels and it
should receive better attention in those departments offering postgraduate
courses. The post graduate students do project work and it can be made more
meaningful by addressing relevant and contemporary issues. It is appreciable
that some departments are organizing seminars and workshops.
The Peer Team appreciates
the difficulty involved in offering consultancy. Since the college is located
in a metropolitan area, there is considerable scope for consultancy and that
should be explored by the faculty. Teachers should be encouraged to involve themselves with many micro level
problems as they open up opportunities for establishing linkages with outside
agencies. Faculty could be assisted by a separate research cell to establish
contacts with local industry and business communities including the corporate
sector.
The college has been
promoting many extension activities like adult education, community development
projects, AIDS awareness programmes, blood donation camps, health and hygiene
awareness etc. In addition several outreach activities like population
education, national literacy etc are also undertaken. The college has been
arranging legal awareness programmes and that is appreciable as it helps the
empowerment of women. The college can explore the possibility of establishing a
centre for woman studies by integrating the activities of some related
departments.
The college has a huge campus in the heart of
the city and only about 10 % of the area has been occupied by buildings,
housing different departments and other facilities like the gymkhana and the
canteen. The college entirely depends upon government funds not only for
creation of new buildings and infrastructure but also for the maintenance of
the same.
The college is trying to put
the infrastructure to optimum use by using the classrooms and the newly constructed
computer science laboratory for conducting various evening courses for students
of commerce, arts and science faculties. A separate evening commerce course is
also conducted. The college conducts contact classes for ICE of University of
Madras and competitive examinations from the various bodies like BSRB and Anna
University.
The campus occupied by the
college buildings is maintained neat and clean with gardens and other
plantations. The college utilises the assistance of NSS volunteers and Chennai
corporation for this purpose.
The purchase of books,
journals and periodicals is made through a properly constituted library
advisory committee. However the college should try to get more grants from the
Govt. to enrich the library that is so essential to more than 3000 students of
the college. Connecting the library through internet with the other big
libraries in the city will encourage the UG and the PG students to use library
facilities to the maximum. The book bank facility is available to students.
Higher level of library computerization will benefit students and teachers a
great deal.
The library has centralized
reprograpic facility. Longer working hours for the library may be encouraged
especially when the evening courses run up to 5:30pm. Creation of computerized
library facility for the college will be a welcome step in the future.
Many departments have their
own computers. It is necessary to link all the computers through LAN for
effective sharing of software and database. Developing of computer aided
learning and tailor made packages is the need of the day.
A visiting medical officer
visits the campus twice a week to cater for the medical needs of students.
Sports facilities of the college are
commendable. A playground of 6.480 sq.mts provides an excellent opportunity for
outdoor games. Outstanding sports persons are encouraged to participate in
regional and national competitions by giving them proper training and suitable
financial assistance.
The college has a fairly
well equipped workshop. Welfare programmes are attended through Social Service
League and Legal Awareness Programmes. About 3 % of students stay in the
college hostel. The grievances redressal cell may function more effectively.
The pass percentage of the students at the UG
level is very good and there is a scope to improve the same at the PG level.
Efforts could be made to reduce the drop out percentage. With the excellent
teaching faculty available at the disposal of the college it should not be
difficult to prepare students for the competitive examinations like UGC-CSIR,
GMAT, GATE, GRE etc.
Creation of a formal and
effective feedback mechanism from students will be a great source of
information for qualitative improvement of academic and co-curricular
programmes.
The college publishes
up-to-date college prospectus every year giving the details of all courses,
scholarships, fee structure etc.
The career guidance cell may
be complemented by an employment cell. This will help students to find suitable
jobs. Conducting tutorials is a routine matter. Additional efforts of academic
and personal counseling will be the right step.
The alumni association seems
to be very active. They have an annual get together and they offer prizes to
students excelling in the academic and co-curricular activities.
The policy of the admission
to the college is decided by the Govt. and admissions are strictly made on
merit basis. Overseas students can be attracted if special facilities can be
created for them.
Efficient coordinating and monitoring mechanism
in any educational institute helps a great deal in transmitting innovative
ideas of the staff members through a proper channel to the decision-making
authorities. Heads of Departments can act as positive catalysts for
transferring ideas into realities. In the process, the help of an outside
agency is of prime importance.
Non-teaching staff members
form the backbone of any academic organization. In the fast changing scenario
of high technology communication and high degree of computerization, continuous
training programmes for improving professional efficiencies of non-teaching
staff has no substitute. It must take top priority in any institute of higher learning.
A special committee in the
college prepares the academic calendar which brings about a workable
co-ordination in planning and implementing academic programmes. The fee
structure for UG and the PG is decided by the government and there has been
only a marginal increase in the fee structure in the last three years.
Appropriate expenses are made on academic and student welfare services.
The college helps the
teaching and the non-teaching staff members to obtain loans for housing,
medical treatment, buying computers and education of wards.
The college has a very active Parents Teachers
Association (PTA) which has contributed substantially in the last six years to
the development of the college. The PTA is a democratic body having elected
representatives from the college faculty as well as from the parents. The PTA
serves as an effective feedback mechanism to the college on academic and non
academic matters.
The students of the college
seem to enjoy indoor and the outdoor games. Many NCC cadets represented the
state in the Republic Day parade. This exposure has given them an ideal
exposure at the national level.
The financial assistance to
the academic institutions from the Govt.
funding agencies is on the decline every year. For keeping the academic
standards it is necessary to generate our own resources. Making use of the
existing laboratory facilities and the teaching faculty, it may be possible to
establish links with the neighbouring industries and work on projects of mutual
interests. Establishing strong links with national and international teaching
and research organizations will help the teachers expand their horizon of
knowledge and experience. Fund generation could also be possible by conducting
meaningful self financing certificate and diploma courses. In the departments
of Mathematics, History and English the PG courses are conducted and the
teachers of the respective Departments have voluntarily agreed to put in 90
hours of extra work as a condition for starting the course. This is a highly encouraging practice.
In the metropolitan city of
Chennai, which is also one of the premier educational centres of the country,
the Quaid-E-Millat Govt. Arts College for Women, is rendering valuable service
to thousands of underprivileged and backward women students. It has suitably
furnished classrooms (more than one hundred), gallery halls numbering more than
10, well-equipped and large laboratories, general and departmental libraries,
museums, a herbarium, a botanical garden with a good number of medicinal
plants, electronic computer centres, vast play fields and other modern
educational facilities. The faculty are committed to the profession and
inconveniences which may be caused by transfers do not defer them from duty.
The Peer Team also wishes to offer a few suggestions for further speedier
growth and development of this major college run by the government of Tamil
Nadu. They are given in a separate list at the end of the report.
The Peer Team’s visit to the
Quaid-E-Millat Govt, Arts College, Chennai, and the interactions it had with
various segments of the academic community bring out a few basic facts which
should be recorded here for the urgent attention and necessary action of the
authorities concerned. Being a Govt. institution, the college itself has very little administrative role in planning
or conceiving the future developments or lines of growth. Being amenable to
transfers, the faculty might not also feel inclined to take a long-term view of
the development of the institution. In the case of Govt. higher education
institutions, particularly the important ones, the following policy options
may, therefore, be considered by the government:
·
Separate
College Committees with adequate freedom may be constituted for more important
colleges to begin with and extended to other colleges later. They may be
entrusted with the job of designing, executing and monitoring long-term
academic programmes, planned and prepared in consultation with the govt. A
prominent educationist of the area may be the President of the College
Committee and the Principal of the college its Secretary. Senior faculty
members and some prominent alumni could be members. The College Committee
should function under the overall policies of the govt. and the university
concerned. A long-term plan of development may be prepared by this committee
and submitted to the Govt. for financial approval and to the University
whenever necessary.
·
Govt.
may adopt a transfer policy which allows for greater stability of staff in a
given institution in order to ensure continuity and accountability of
programmes and executors.
·
The
Govt. may draw up broad lines regarding the development of the various colleges
taking into account the regional needs, the aspirations of the surrounding
community, the potential of the students enrolled etc. The College Committee
may function within these broad guidelines.
·
Since
modern higher education institutions are supposed to conduct a certain amount
of research and some medium level consultancy services to the surrounding
community, the govt. may consider constituting research cells and consultancy
cells in all leading govt. colleges to work under the College Committee and
extend appropriate support, financial and otherwise.
·
Curricular
development is very important in all colleges to ensure continuous growth of
academic programmes. Therefore, a curricular development cell may also be
formed in the Govt. colleges to work under the College Committee. Placement
efforts to help the students to get a job also needs some focussed
attention. For this, a placement cell can be formed.
·
To
be able to conceive genuine need-based growth, College Committees may be
allowed to adopt a zero budgeting system at least in some areas. Otherwise, the
present govt. budgeting system itself becomes a hurdle for fresh academic ideas
and educational programmes in newly emerging and interdisciplinary subjects.
o
Though
only a degree college, the students of this institution frequently get ranks in
examinations conducted by the University of Madras.
o
In
sports, the athletes of this college have distinguished themselves as
University blues and have won prizes at national level competitions.
o
The
NCC units – Army, Navy and Air Wings – performed well and found their
representations on many occasions at the Republic Day parade in Delhi.
o
Youth
Forum for Gandhian studies reveals the interest of students in the Gandhian
thoughts.
o
Alumni
and parents’ associations are active and contribute to the facilities of the
institution.
o
That
nearly 2500 out of 3300 students get some financial assistance is indeed
commendable and speak volumes about the care has taken on them by the
institution.
o
The
newly started Computer Science Department offers useful evening certificate
courses at a very moderate rates of fees and they have plans to cover the
entire student population of the college in a phased programme. This is really
good.
o The present dynamic Principal has managed to get an amount of Rs.24 lakhs from the govt. in the current year for the proper upkeep of the buildings. This is really praiseworthy.
Suggestions for
further growth and development
·
A
self appraisal system on the lines suggested by the UGC may be introduced. The
state govt. may be moved in this respect.
·
Research
and consultancy cells may be constituted with govt. approval and some token
funds sought.
·
Career
and academic counseling may be organized in a more meaningful way, since
students come from extremely backward backgrounds.
·
Some
placement effort is also possible as the college is situated in the heart of
the city. A placement cell may be constituted.
·
The
Home Science Department has submitted proposals to start a P.G. course. The
proposal deserves immediate attention and encouragement by the University and
the govt. since the course has high job potential.
·
It
seems that the PG courses at present do not have project work or dissertation.
This deficiency may be set right and the university may consider this problem
and take necessary remedial measures.
·
All
the suggestions made in the overall analysis regarding the institution of a
separate college committee for major Govt. colleges, including Quaid-E-Millat
Govt. Arts College for Women, with the necessary number of subcommittees or
cells for Research, Consultancy, Curricular Development, Career & Academic
counseling and Placement may be vigorously followed up by the college
authorities.
·
It
will be better if the Home Science students are given some practical training
in industries in addition to their present exposure to academic institutions.
·
In
the meeting of the Alumni Association, members have shown great enthusiasm to
help the college academically and financially. The offer may be followed up
vigorously by the authorities.
·
Majority
of the teachers from about all departments seemed to clamour for autonomy for
the college as they feel that much more course diversification and curricular
updating are possible with autonomy. The idea may be sympathetically considered
by the government and the university.
·
National
and state level linkages and collaboration with industries in relevant fields
must get immediate attention of the authorities.
Finally the Peer Team extends all good wishes to the Quaid-E-Millat Govt. College for Women, in their Silver Jubilee Year and the Team hopes that the occasion will be made use of for a real breakthrough in its developmental goals.
-o0o-