Assessment Report on
Institutional Accreditation of
St. Joseph’s College, Irinjalakuda
Section 1: Preamble
St. Joseph’s College, Irinjalakuda in Thrissur District of Kerala was established in the year 1964 by the congregation of the Holy Family Sisters inspired by Mother Mariam Thresia. The college is affiliated to Calicut University. It is located in a semi-urban area on a 15 acre campus. It offers nine undergraduate courses: mathematics, physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, economics, English, history and commerce. Hindi and Malayalam are offered as second languages. The college also offers three post-graduate programmes in mathematics, commerce and chemistry. At present there are 1213 students in the campus. The college caters for the educational needs of girls of this area. Admission is open to all irrespective of religion, caste and community.
The college volunteered to be assessed and accredited, and submitted a self-study report to the National Assessment and Accreditation Council(NAAC) in November 1999. In response to this request, NAAC constituted the Peer Team consisting of Prof.P.Ramachandra Naidu, formerly Vice-Chancellor of Sri Krishnadevaraya University as Chairman, Prof.S.Indumati, Professor of Economics, University of Mysore and Prof.R.A.Sridhari Das, Principal of Smt.V.H.D. Central Institute of Home Science, Bangalore as Members. Dr.Latha Pillai, Deputy Adviser and Mr.B.S.Ponmudiraj, Academic Professional, NAAC ably coordinated the visit of the Peer Team to the institution.
The Peer Team visited the institution from February 29 to March 02, 2000. The team interacted widely with the Principal, Management, teaching staff, non-teaching staff, parents, alumnae, students and other functionaries. The Team also visited the classrooms, office, library, laboratories, auditorium, indoor stadium, sports facilities, non-resident centre, cafeteria and other infrastructure facilities. The Peer Team has recorded the data on various facets of institutional functioning and performance and prepared the following report in terms of an overall assessment of the institution on the basis the criteria suggested by NAAC.
Section 2: Criterion-wise Analysis
Criterion I: Curricular Aspects
The academic programmes offered by the college include nine undergraduate, three postgraduate, and three diploma and certificate courses. Within the existing system(affiliated), efforts are being made to redesign the programmes wherever possible. Introduction of career oriented diploma/certificate courses in electricity and electronics servicing, horticulture, computer application, typewriting and shorthand are more relevant and appreciable. Attempts have been made to empower women through training opportunities in tailoring and book-binding. Feedback is obtained by students on teachers and the Principal. This has been used positively for the improvement of teaching skills, teaching-learning processes and teacher-student relationship. The teachers need to be complemented for the better performance of students in the annual examinations. Value education classes, humanized approach to education and family oriented approach have also helped to sensitize students to social realities.
Both the staff and the Management have shown great interest in the concept of ‘academic autonomy’. This, they believe, would help to introduce innovative job oriented courses, elective options and/or non-core options. It would also provide for greater flexibility in academic arrangements. It will help raise the status of the institution further and respond to the needs of society and students. With the institution’s “Gospel of Light, Life and Love” motto social commitment in education will become a reality.
The Team is very happy to note that some senior faculty are the members of the Boards of Studies in Calicut University and hence have an opportunity to redesign the curriculum.
A re-interpretation of goals to raise the status of Indian women through enlightenment, a corporate exercise to consider various options, an expeditions curricular reform to design courses which are more relevant, helpful and creative of effective women leaders are some significant curricular aspects the college may contemplate with no loss of time.
The teaching, learning and evaluation components, which are important issues relating to faculty, are well addressed to in this institution. The Academic Excellence Committee is catering for this need on the basis of an annual plan drawn in advance. Though the college has been following the annual examination system of the Calicut University, efforts are being made to continuously evaluate the performance of students. The knowledge and skills of students are evaluated through assignments, oral tests and terminal exams. Remedial courses are offered to educationally disadvantaged students. This is reflected in the overall results of the college and ranks obtained by individual students in the university examinations. Personal rapport between students and teachers not only motivate students to improve their academic performance. Teachers are recruited subject to the regulations of university and the state government.
Of the 79 members of the faculties 11 have earned Ph.D. degrees and 19 M.Phil. degrees and 19 others are pursuing either of these programmes. The teaching-staff in the departments fully utilize the Faculty Improvement Programme(FIP) of the University Grants Commission(UGC). The number of non-teaching (technical staff, administrative staff and supportive staff) is quite adequate.
There are 5 ongoing research projects in the college. Research publication and consultancy serves, now absent, may be taken seriously.
Community development programmes include, social work, health and hygiene awareness, medical camps, adult education and literacy programmes, blood donation camps, AIDS awareness and environmental awareness programmes. These have helped in the involvement of students and teachers with the local life at the grass roots. Some outreach programmes organised in collaboration with in NGOs and GOs to cater for extension activities are appreciated. The College has an NSS unit and an NCC unit which render commendable service. The college may view with concern the absence of a dynamic research culture among both teachers and students and the usage to offer consultancy services.
Criterion IV: Infrastructure and Learning Resources
The college has adequate infrastructure facilities to run the academic programmes and administrative functions effectively within a campus area of 15 acres in a semi-urban locality. The college has adequate number of classrooms and laboratories. The central library has 44378 books and 137 research journals/periodicals and it is well maintained. Every year a good number of books and journals are added to the library. The working hours of the library seem to be adequate. However, extension of working hours is desirable since it may provide better access to resident teachers and students. The laboratories of the college are well maintained. However, these laboratories need to be improved and well equipped with latest accessories.
An attempt has been made to provide access to the latest information technology and learning resources through the computer laboratory and the internet facility. Increasing the number of computers would be helpful to make all the teaching, non-teaching and the student community computer literate since it is the most important present need. The PGDCA programme offered by the college, along with other degree programmes, is a motivating factor.
Sports and physical education activities are encouraged. The play fields are maintained quite well. Many have received prizes and awards. Students have represented the institution at the state, national and international levels. The existence of an indoor stadium with teak wood flooring accommodating around 2000 students needs special mention.
The college has a well maintained hostel, housing 326 students, a non-resident student centre and a canteen. The buildings and the campus is well maintained. Darsana Family Counselling Centre approved by the Central Social Welfare Board offers a support system to students and families with problems and other needy public. A routine medical checkup is carried out every year for students. Teaching, non-teaching staff and students make good use of the available infrastructure facilities in the campus.
Among other welfare programmes available for students, mention may be made of:
· students aid fund for the economically backward students
· merit-cum-means scholarships given by the Management
· noon meal programmes sponsored by the Social Service League
· providing needy students with books and uniform
· marriage fund for poor women students and
· fund from the alumnae association for financing higher studies of the needy
Non-teaching staff have a mutual help fund. The Management may continue to provide financial facilities in times of need to both teaching and non-teaching staff.
Students are admitted on the basis of qualifying examination marks and as per the current guidelines of the university and the state government. Departments maintain records relating to student progression. Many former students are well placed in society as doctors, engineers, lawyers, lecturers, school teachers, bank employees and other important functionaries. During the last five years 26 students have qualified in UGC-CSIR-NET and one student in GATE.
The strengths and weaknesses of each department are obtained from students through feedback. This is later handed over to the teacher concerned for improvement. A survey was also conducted for students to know about themselves and this was welcomed. During the last two years 126 students have received merit scholarships and 315 have benefited from merit-cum-means scholarships. About 70 were helped from the students Aid Fund.
The Alumnae Association and the Management together offer financial assistance to poor students along with the Social Service League of the college and other faculty members. The academic and personal counselling system has helped the students to improve themselves and do better academically. Teachers are given the responsibility to co-ordinate the activities of the employment cell which motivates students towards self-employment. Financial aid, counselling and placement services play a significant role in student empowerment.
The institution encourages the holistic development of students through family oriented education, value based education and outreach activities. A screening test is desirable before admission. The formal counselling centre needs trained manpower. New initiatives are required for imparting entrepreneurial skills. An organised placement cell is recommended for students when vocational courses are introduced.
Organization and Management constitute one of the important pillars in the structure of an educational institution which is quite strong in this college. The institution has an internal co-ordinating and monitoring mechanism functioning through various bodies viz., general education, provincial education and local education boards, governing body, college council and college union. The work efficiency of the non-teaching staff is monitored.
Preparation of the academic calendar, resource requirements and mobilization, evaluation of non-teaching staff and work allotment which are necessary for the smooth functioning of the college are chalked out at the beginning of every academic year.
The deficit budget, despite the mobilization of financial resources through various agencies like the government, UGC, well-wishers, public and the Management is of a serious concern. Hence, efforts are needed to control expenditure and also to raise more funds. Allocation of resources to augment library facilities and purchase of modern equipment deserve immediate consideration. Welfare schemes are limited and it is necessary to entrance them.
The college has some good healthy practices being followed during the last few decades of its establishment about which a special mention is made below.
1. The certificate and diploma courses offered outside the day schedule to those students and teachers who have aptitude to acquire computer knowledge .
2. Training in vocational programmes like tailoring, type-writing and printing and book-binding given to students.
3. Existence of a strong cultural activities wing, where students are trained and equipped to participate in the regional and national level competitions.
4. Family oriented education offered by the institution is a very healthy trend.
5. Adoption of a village by the institution and involvement of teachers and students integrated development is worth mentioning, since, it has improved the social service sector and created an awareness among the communities.
6. The missionary zeal with which the members of the faculty work has enabled the disadvantaged students to perform well in examinations and also acquire knowledge that is expected of graduates.
7. The tutorial system and counselling have helped to improve the academic performance of students.
8. Continuous interaction by students with the teaching staff has promoted the enrichment of knowledge among students and made them competitive.
9. Best Teacher Award won by the teaching staff speaks highly of this institution.
10. Student evaluation of teachers on various issues related to the teaching-learning process(within the affiliating system) is appreciable.
11. Organisation of seminars and awareness programmes by almost all the departments need a word of appreciation.
12. The Alumnae Association along with the people of Irinjalakuda catering for the financial needs of students and the institution is a significant factor.
13. Nature club which has helped to create environmental awareness.
14. The Women’s cell has helped students to know about their role in the family and society and thereby promote personality development.
St. Joseph’s College is one of the premier institutions offering higher education to women in and around Irinjalakuda. The Peer Team would like to commend the institution on the following aspects:
Ø Efforts made by the Principal and members of the faculty to obtain feedback from students.
Ø The policy of the institution regarding periodical evaluation of students.
Ø Innovative community development activities involving both students and the members of the faculties.
Ø Aptitude displayed by teachers to pursue research programmes.
Ø Indoor stadium facility made available with the intention of promoting physical education and other sports activities for girls.
Ø Healthy rapport maintained and cherished with parents, alumnae and the public.
Ø Dedicated Management committed to the cause of raising the standards in higher education.
Ø Encouragement given to promote computer studies.
Ø Computerisation of the library.
Based on the overall performance of the institution, assessing its strengths and limitations, the following suggestions are made by the Peer Team for the future development of the institution:
Ø Screening test at the time of admission to judge the aptitude of students.
Ø More systematic self-appraisal of teachers and appraisal of teachers by students is desirable.
Ø The possibility of mobilizing financial resources through research projects funded by CSIR, DST, UGC, DBT and industries may be considered.
Ø Promote consultancy services in and around the region.
Ø Augment existing welfare schemes and expand its area of network.
Ø Motivate Parent-Teacher and Alumnae Association to contribute to the overall development of the institution.
Ø Explore the possibilities of introducing self-financing courses.
Ø In view of the existing demand for student residential accommodation, the hostel facility needs to be expanded.
Ø In addition to the existing programmes, skill oriented training may be given to students to face the competitive examinations.
Ø The outcome of the interaction with the Principal, the Management, the teaching staff, PTA and alumnae has revealed the desire to acquire autonomous status for the institution. The Peer Team also felt that this would help the institution to offer vocational and job-oriented courses. It would also help to facilitate flexibility, horizontal mobility and introduce the choice based credit system. Further, reforms in the continuous evaluation of student performance and examinations could be introduced.
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