Assessment Report on
Institutional Accreditation of
Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule Cultural Foundation’s
College of Arts & Science, Margao, Goa
Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule Cultural Foundation’s College of Arts & Science volunteered to be assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in March 1999. The institution prepared a preliminary Self-Study Report in March 1999, on the basis of which NAAC constituted the Peer Team comprising Prof. M. Malla Reddy, former Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University, Hyderabad and Dr. Sarala Krishnamurthy, Reader, Department of English, Bangalore University, Bangalore, to evaluate the functioning of the institution and validate the self-study report. Accordingly, the Peer Team visited the institution between August 23 and 25, 1999 and interacted with the Management, the Principal, faculty – teaching and non-teaching staff, students, parents and alumni.
Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule Cultural Foundation’s College of Arts & Science was established in 1962 by Shri.V.D. Chowgule, with a vision to provide educational opportunities to the people of Goa, as well as people from other states in the country. The institution was originally affiliated to Bombay University and soon after the establishment of the University of Goa, it came under its jurisdiction. Members of the Chowgule family, especially Shri Umaji Chowgule, have made a generous contribution for the development of this institution in order to make it one of the important centres of excellence in higher education in Goa. The college is situated in an area of 12 acres and 11 guntas with an excellent ambience surrounded by mountains, greenery and a well developed landscape. The major institutional complex was built in the year 1972 and provides adequate accommodation and infrastructure for the variety of courses offered by the institution. The college offers 17 undergraduate programmes and obtained recognition from the University Grants Commission under 2f in 1978. The college has a well qualified teaching faculty strength of 69 members including 49 permanent and 20 temporary teachers. There are 21 members in the non-teaching staff. The college has a central library, computer centre, sports facilities and canteen.
The Peer Team carefully analysed the self-study report submitted by the institution. During the institutional visit, the team went through all the relevant documents, visited the departments and the facilities, and interacted with the various constituents of the institution. The academic, co-curricular, extra-curricular, sports and extension activities were examined. Further, it interacted with the Principal, faculty, non-teaching staff, students, parents, alumni & alumnae of the college. Based on the above exercise, and keeping in mind the criteria identified by NAAC, the Peer Team made the assessment of the institution under various criteria. The commendable features of the institution as well as the issues of concern are given below :
Criterion I– Curricular Aspects
Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule Cultural Foundation’s College of Arts & Science is affiliated with Goa University. As an affiliated college, it has no option but to adopt the syllabi prescribed by the University of Goa in all the faculties i.e. humanities and sciences at the undergraduate level. The college offers 17 undergraduate programmes which include 7 programmes in the Faculty of Science and 10 in the Faculty of Arts. In addition to these two major faculties, the college also offers one diploma course and six certificate courses. It is not out of place to mention here that the college has made a very valuable contribution to Goa University in its formative stage, especially in designing the postgraduate courses. The postgraduate courses which already existed in the college before the establishment of Goa University, were separated and integrated with the university along with the well qualified teaching faculty who worked in this institution. In spite of these major changes in the college, i.e. the de-linking of postgraduate courses from the institution, the image of the institution remains wholly intact. The present teachers impart instruction to undergraduates with total commitment and dedication which was evident from the nature of activities carried on by each department. The Peer Team was impressed with the sincerity of the faculty. The college offers outside Enrichment Programmes not only for the benefit of the students of their own college but also to several other students of colleges in and around Goa, charging a minimum fee of Rs.500/- for their students and Rs.800/- for others. The institution takes every possible effort to provide computer education to every student and teacher in collaboration with NIIT. Students and teachers avail themselves of this opportunity without sacrificing their regular curriculum because of the flexibility of the time-table.
It is significant to note that the institution has introduced the `Micro scale Technique’ in the chemistry department. This is indeed a small step, but implies a larger vision. A workshop was conducted for this purpose and the advantages of this experiment were demonstrated in the orientation programme. The Peer Team was impressed with this innovative approach which helps in saving considerable institutional resources from pollution.
The institution has initiated college-industry networking in order to enable students to understand the relationship between the world of learning and the world of work. As a part of this networking students prepare a project report in lieu of a paper which is given a weightage of 100 marks in the examination.
If one examines critically, based on the historical perspective, one may find that the teachers of the institution can make a rich contribution to curriculum development, undertake many innovative programmes provided the institution is accorded autonomy. The Peer Team feels that the college can achieve more if autonomy is conferred on it. In view of the existing resources available the college can also start postgraduate programmes and approach the university for its recognition as a research centre in certain areas.
The college may consider putting through a corporate exercise to define its role in the light of stated goals and also in the context of de linking postgraduate programmes from its educational activity. It may also profitably consider incorporating enrichment programmes (chiefly those introduced to promote computer literacy and communicative competence in English) in the regular programme by a readjustment of daily schedules of work.
The College has introduced some important innovations in the instructional technology to ensure accountability on the part of teachers. Preparation of teaching plans for the year and maintenance of daily plan register recorded in a course register are a significant innovation introduced by the present Principal. The Self-Study Report mentions the teachers’ practise of recording their teaching experiences, suggestions about improvement in the syllabi as perceived in the actual teaching processes and the feedback they received from students. This recorded information is analyzed once a year in the departmental meetings to provide feedback to teachers.
The Peer Team was impressed with this innovative approach. But a critical examination of the records has revealed that the recording of the information should be more scientific, methodical and purpose-oriented. Teachers with a little more imagination can make the whole exercise a more meaningful and operationally gainful. This practice is commendable.
The college has adopted the semester system for the first and the second year students, and as per the norms of the university, students of these years appear for the semester –end examination conducted by the college. Third year students appear for the year-end university examinations which are common to all colleges affiliated to Goa University.
In addition to these examinations, many departments in the college evaluate students through tests and assignments. Teachers also get feed-back on the progress and competencies of the students acquired in their respective subjects in the tutorial interaction. These measures, like semester-end examinations and continuous assessment have contributed to the improvement of results both in terms of ranking and pass percentages. From the records we have noted a positive and significant correlation between the ratings of evaluation of the students in the internal examinations conducted by the college and the annual examinations conducted by the university.
Assessment of teachers by students to obtain feedback on their performance is an important feature of this institution. Students’ responses are tabulated and an action plan is prepared for the guidance of teachers. Reports emanating from the evaluation of teachers by students are discussed by teachers, heads of departments and the Principal.
The Peer Team noted with concern that the majority of teachers have not participated in national and international seminars and are not adequately exposed to latest developments in their fields of study. It is also disheartening to know that many teachers in spite of their high potential to do so have not pursued research after the Master’s Degree. There is a great need to initiate certain measures on this account which can motivate teachers to obtain research degrees and to pursue post-doctoral programmes. Except for this limitation, the Peer Team found the teachers competent and committed to teaching-learning processes which ensure good teaching and evaluation in the institution.
Teaching methods may be reviewed: use of education technology to promote learner initiative, introduction of learner-centered class room pedagogy and the practise of formative continuous assessment may be considered.
Criterion III: Research Consultancy and Extension
The Peer Team noted that research facilities in the institution are found to be limited. The Management may encourage teachers to pursue research. The de-linking of post-graduate departments from the college by the Goa University has undercut research activity. The university may be approached for a reversal of this policy. Under the Faculty Improvement Programme, teacher fellowships are available, but only 4 teachers have availed themselves of this opportunity so far. However, the Principal of the college, Shri V.R. Shirgurkar and a few other teachers of the institution, have published textbooks and several articles. Under the Ford Foundation Campus Diversity Initiative grants, the Chowgule College publishes a Bi-annual journal – Chowgule College Diversity Journal. The college has brought out the proceedings of two seminars – one on `Tolerance’ and the other on `Autonomy & Excellence’. One issue is devoted to a play - `Rape of Goa’ – written by one of the faculty members of the institution.
The department of botany has produced nine Ph.Ds. and participated in the research project on Western Ghats. It has produced nine Ph.Ds. so far. While these are some of the research activities undertaken by the institution, the Peer Team would like to reiterate its opinion that research work at an advanced level, i.e. Ph.D., and Post-Doctoral, may be improved. The Team was impressed with the projects undertaken by undergraduate students covering several important themes.
Extension activities in the college include rural health camps, literacy campaigns, AIDS, environmental awareness and other socially useful activities.
The Management has built the institution complex with five blocks connected by a common corridor. The Principal’s chamber, college office and staff-room are situated in Block A and there are 17 lecture halls in Block B. In addition to this, four big laboratories and two big lecture halls form a part of the infrastructure. The college has also added recently a separate building for the department of computer science and a very well designed and well planned building for the library. The authorities feel that the institution requires some more accommodation, therefore propose to have a separate new building for the faculty of sciences. The construction of a new building to house the canteen and guest house is under progress. The college proposes to add an animal house and other facilities for further modernization of their labs. A special mention has to be made about the computer science department which has nearly 90 computers with 55 PCs connected to LAN and 15 work stations. In other words, there is one computer for every 10 students in the college. The college provides E-mail and Internet facilities and has installed EPABX connected to 16 points in the premises. The college proposes to create a web-site for itself in the near future.
The College believes in a holistic development of student personality. The management is considerably interested in this objective. In conformity with this philosophy, several activities are organized, like sports, cultural activities and a variety of enrichment programmes, in addition to regular courses in the curriculum. The college also helps students in their preparation for competitive and entrance examinations like, MBA, MCA and others, which deserve appreciation.
It is interesting to note that the college conducts student elections every year in a cordial and peaceful atmosphere. The college has laid down certain norms for conducting elections and all students respect this code of conduct during elections. To promote leadership qualities among students the college annually organizes a workshop on “Learning to Lead” and all the elected members of the student community participate in this workshop. `PANORAMA’, an inter-collegiate youth festival, is one of the major events in the institution, conducted for three days with the resources generated by the students themselves. The important characteristic feature of this event is that it offers insights to students in responsible decision-making.
The college, one of the eleven institutions, which received a grant of Rs.15 lakhs from the Ford Foundation in 1995 for the purpose of `Diversity Initiative’ i.e. to promote an understanding of cultural diversity and tolerance among one and all. DISHA, Literary Association, SPIC-MACAY (Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Among the Youth) and Placement Cell are some of the other mechanisms through which the institution helps students in their progression. The Peer Team noted with concern that the college did not visualize the need for providing hostel facilities for students. The Peer Team strongly recommends that the Management may start hostel for the benefit of students seeking admission from far off places.
The college may institute merit and meanss scholarships, organise career and personal counselling and pursue other strategies of support to promote student initiative and enterprise.
The college is founded and managed by Chowgule Education Society. The college has an exclusive Management consisting of Management representatives, teacher representatives and the Principal. The Principal is the Chief Executive of the college assisted by the Vice-Principal, Heads of Departments and various committees constituted by him. These committees are entrusted with responsibilities and work on the principles of participatory democracy in the institution. The Principal enjoys financial and administrative autonomy despite the college being a private Management which is commendable. The college has a unit of teachers’ organization which is affiliated to AICTU and a non-teaching staff union which is affiliated to the state level organization. The college indeed functions on the `human-relations’ model. The present Principal, Dr. Shirgurkar, is a dynamic academician, endowed with vision to transform the institution into a centre of excellence.
The various healthy practices adopted by the institution have already been reflected in the criterion framework that has been enlisted above. However, some of the healthy practices which deserve special mention are given below :
· The Peer Team has noticed exceptional order and discipline among students. The way the students greet each other, respect their teachers and elders is a phenomenon rarely seen in other institutions. Obviously, the institutional ethos nurtured over the years is responsible for such behaviour.
· The institution has introduced several programmes for promoting leadership qualities and the overall development of student personality like, `Diversity Initiative Programme’ and PANORAMA.
· The student enrichment programme is another important innovation which helps the students in their preparation for entrance exams.
· The project method at the TY level though compulsory and forms a part of the curriculum and instruction, is designed around the principle of `individualized’ instruction.
· The Peer Team has noted the presence of team spirit among teachers who work with a sense of commitment for the continuous development of the institution.
· The Placement Cell – DISHA and the Counselling and Guidance Cell play a very crucial role for the betterment of students.
· The college has been organizing field trips in many departments like, botany, zoology and geology.
· The college has conducted on-the-job training for faculty and non-teaching staff to make everyone computer literate.
· The college has taken initiative in introducing new experiments in the subject of chemistry - `Microscale Techniques’ – which the Goa University has implemented in the F.Y.B.Sc. classes. Such innovative approaches need to be encouraged as healthy practices in any institution.
· The concept of preparation of Teaching Plan and maintenance of daily registers recording the experience of the teachers is a very healthy approach.
· It is significant to note that the college has introduced a two level evaluation of teachers : at one level teachers do self-evaluation and at the second level the teachers are evaluated by students though an exhaustive questionnaire. Based on the evaluation reports, an action plan is prepared for the improvement of teaching in the institution.
The Peer Team, after going through the self-study report and after its visit to various academic and physical facilities, is very impressed by the progress of Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College in transacting its mission of commitment to excellence, empowering personalities and developing responsible members of society. The college has earned a reputation for imparting quality education and a sense of discipline to the younger generation. It was heartening to know from many parents that it is the dream of many children in the region to be students of this college and according to them, the college is not merely a `centre of excellence’ but one of the very few top colleges in Goa.
The Peer Team considers that there are a number of features of Chowgule College’s approach to quality assurance and standards which we would wish to commend. At the same time, the Peer Team would like to bring to the attention of the college the shortcomings and certain concerns for its consideration. Firstly we would like to commend the college for the following :-
· encouragement and the support given by management to the institution,
· effective leadership and good human relationship among staff resulting in efficient team work,
· dedication and commitment of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the college,
· discipline maintained in the institution,
· facilitating aspect of the institution to promote student participation and achievement in different fields,
· adequacy, maintenance and future planning of the infrastructure.
Keeping in view the future plans of the institution, which is working for autonomy, the Peer Team would like to suggest the following to ponder over :
· the college may explore the possibility of introducing more course options to increase flexibility in course combinations keeping in mind the latest trends and societal needs,
· in the light of the successes of the enrichment courses offered by the institution, effort should be made to introduce more such courses and to a wider public,
· the teaching faculty is well qualified to teach at the undergraduate level. The Peer Team feels that in addition to these undergraduate courses offered in the college, they should take up research not only for personal growth and upward mobility but also for the betterment of the institution in which they are working.
-o0o-