Assessment Report on
Institutional Accreditation of
St. Peter’s College, Kolenchery, Ernakulam
Recognising the need for a comprehensive institutional audit and realising that a process of self study would lead to meaningful interaction, St. Peter’s College, Kolenchery, Ernakulam(Dt.) approached the NAAC for assessment and accreditation. The NAAC constituted the Peer Team with Prof. K. Aludiapillai as chairperson and Prof. C. Thangamuthu and Prof. D. Shrijay Devaraj Urs as Members to visit the institution and interact with various functionaries and groups and assess the institution. The Peer Team assisted by Dr. Latha Pillai and Mr. B.S. Madhukar from NAAC visited the institution on three days viz., Sept 8th ,9th and 10th , 1999 and completed the assignment.
St. Peter’s college, Kolenchery was founded in 1964 in a rural area, 30 kms. east of Cochin, taking advantage of the policy of the Government of Kerala of sanctioning colleges in rural centres. The college envisaged the pursuit of academic excellence through value based education assisting the youth in character building, personality development and leadership training.
A co-educational institution, women students outnumber men in the college. Out of 1512 students in UG, PG and PG Diploma courses, 981 are women. Among teachers, however, men outnumber women. Out of 95 permanent teachers, 53 are men. Women students outnumber men students in all departments except one viz. Dept. of Political Science.
The Steering Committee which has assisted the core committee in the preparation of the self-study report has laboured hard and prepared a very informative document which has helped the assessment process in a substantial way.
As an affiliated institution, the college has been following the curriculum formulated by the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Through the Micro Computer Academy, some diploma and certificate courses in computer applications are being offered. The scope for interaction with industry and designing a curriculum which will be relevant to their manpower needs appears to be very much on the agenda of the institution. The agency which has to provide the initial push has to be identified.
Through a well organised tutorial system under which about 20 students are entrusted to the care of a faculty member, intimate contact between the teacher and the taught has been established and this helps students get the benefit of personal counselling and development of personality
Corporate review of curricular aspects by the college academic community with reference to goals, their reinterpretation, curricular structure ( even within the affiliating system) and local needs is quite essential. This may be initiated soon.
Profiles of students are maintained in a systematic manner by all the departments. It is noted that instruction on the syllabi for various courses is covered well ahead of time. It is also noted that students are assessed through tests, assignments, verbal questioning, discussion, terminal examination etc.
The records of Tutorial System in vogue are hailed as very useful instruments of student evaluation. In addition, the internal assessment prescribed by the university is followed to benefit learners; particularly in identifying the weak and offering remedial programmes. It is acknowledged that student attendance and discipline have improved after the introduction of the internal assessment system.
Teachers organise and participate in seminars and take advantage of programmes to update their knowledge.
Students are exposed to field situations by organising study tours and visiting places/ institutions related to the subjects.
A total of 33 teachers (including temporary teachers) of the college have exposure to research – 5 holding Ph.D and 28 M.Phils and they provide the base for research and consultancy. Quite a few consultancy services are rendered free, without demanding any payment and generally no records for such free services are kept.
Extension activities ranging from AIDS awareness camps to the conduct of quiz programmes in schools are undertaken by both staff and students.
School teachers from neighbouring institutions are given orientation in subjects like physics, botany and zoology.
One of the teachers in the Zoology Dept. is doing a project on Bio-Diversity in Ernakulam District. The science club has been active in organising popular science lectures and exhibitions in order to promote scientific temper among students.
The college is duly availing itself of the facilities offered by the UGC under the Faculty Improvement Programme.
With a campus of 25 acres and a library with nearly 34,000 books and with libraries in various departments, the college has built up very good infrastructure over the past three and a half decades. Taking note of the needs of students in acquiring skills in the use of computers, some departments have been provided with computer facilities.
The college has been able to host regional, state level and national level volleyball tournaments thanks to the excellent indoor stadium put up at a cost of nearly Rs. 57 lakhs, making use of the Rs. 25 lakhs grant from the UGC, the balance being met by the Management.
Apart from students and staff, the local public are allowed to use the library facilities on holidays. It is impressive to note that the library has been automated and the catalogue computerised. Internet and e-mail facilities are available in the college.
There is women’s hostel accommodating 31 students.There is a separate rest room for women with essential toilet facilities. A college canteen caters for the needs of staff and students.
The Peer Team was particularly impressed with the quality of construction of the buildings of the college and their upkeep and maintenance. The laboratories are well equipped and the spacious class rooms have adequate furniture.
Career Guidance Bureau, Seminar/ Debate club, Science Forum, Cultural Associations and Music club are some of the student support services and programmes intended to bring out the creativity and latent talent in students. The Parent Teacher Association and the Alumni Association also play an important part in motivating and assisting students.
The percentage of passes in the university examination in all the subjects is fairly high. The industries around the college including the one owned by a member of the managing committee of the college provide employment opportunities to students.
The alumni have been holding prominent positions as administrators, doctors, academics and industrialists. They also help students in finding placement.
The high dropout rate i.e. 25.76% is attributed to the students leaving for professional courses after joining this institution.
The NSS and NCC units operating in the college provide ample opportunities for training in social service and leadership.
The feed back mechanism designed by the college is commendable. A very detailed questionnaire is administered to all final year students and their views elicited on various aspects of the functioning of the college including the quality of teaching and the attitude of staff - teaching and non-teaching. The student’s comments are passed on to those concerned for appropriate follow up action.
The college is governed by St. Peter’s college Trust through an Executive Council consisting of nineteen members. The following committees look after the development activities of the college :-
a. Planning Committee
b. Building Committee
c. Purchase Committee for books
d. Purchase Committee for laboratory equipments
e. Faculty Improvement Programme Selection Committee
f. UGC Cell
The finances of the college are well managed. Supplementing the grants from the government, the Management is regularly ploughing in funds for activities such as maintenance of infrastructure , putting up of new buildings etc.
The college has a tutorial system bringing the learner in close touch with the teacher enabling the latter to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the wards. This leads to special attention being bestowed upon weak students in order to enable them to improve their performance.
A vibrant Alumni Association and Parent Teacher Association help the college in many activities.
The Principal and the HODs maintain a students photo album in which all important particulars relating to each student are entered and any special information relating to the student is kept recorded for ready reference.
The financial Management of the institution is commendable. The Trust which manages the college generates resources to take care of the expenses not covered by government grants. The college Management also funds some of the special requirements of the departments including the contingent expenditure involved in the project work of the PG students.
Records of alumni kept by the departments is another feature of this college which facilitates it to keep track of students who were enrolled in the major subjects in the degree courses. Permitting the members of the public to make use of the facilities in the library on holidays appears to be an interesting feature in the utilisation of the library.
The student community in Kerala ,in particular the men students appear to take more than an ordinary interest in political activities. It is also said that the influence of the political parties can been seen and felt in the activities of the Student Unions. St. Peter’s College , Kolenchery is no exception to this general experience. However teachers, members of the Management and representatives of the Parent Teachers Association prevail upon students to concentrate on studies and avoid confrontation. The Peer Team feels that over the years the students will realise that during their stay in the college it is desirable to pay undivided attention to the pursuit of academic excellence and that this will stand them in good stead throughout their career.
The Government of Kerala have taken a policy decision to delink the pre-degree course from colleges in a phased manner. This would eventually lead to a lot of infrastructure facilities created over the years becoming surplus. The enlightened and dynamic Management of this college anticipates the emergence of such a situation and it is already planning for the optimum utilisation of the facilities by opening new career oriented courses relevant to local needs.
A college in a rural setting such as this plays a great role in improving the quality of life of the local community. The society derives a lot of benefits from the institution that may be invisible and not easily quantifiable. Leadership in many areas of social activity, ranging from church and civil service to politics and business, will eventually pass on to the alumni of this institution not only in the catchment area of the college but also in other parts. With generous assistance from funding agencies and totally committed and disciplined students and motivated staff a college like this can really prove that ‘ The wise shall inherit glory ’.
-o0o-