Assessment Report on
Institutional Accreditation of
St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam, Kerala
Section 1: Preface
St. Teresa’s College, the first women’s college in the erstwhile Cochin state was founded in 1925. It is a First Grade College under the leadership of the Carmelite sisters of St. Teresa and affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University. It claims minority rights under the constitution of India. The college is centrally located in the city of Cochin, covering an area of about five acres. It got recognition from the UGC under 2f and 12B of the UGC Act in 1956.
St. Teresa’s College aims to mould intellectually creative, morally responsible, socially committed and truly liberated women by providing appropriate curricular and co-curricular experiences. The student strength is 2032 at the undergraduate level, 181 at the post graduate level and 34 at the research level. The college has 112 permanent teachers of whom 16 possess Ph.D degree and 40 M.Phil Degree. The college offers 13 programmes at the undergraduate level, 6 at postgraduate level, 5 Diploma and 5 certificate courses. The U.G.C. sponsored Vocational Courses in Communicative English and Computer Applications are offered at the U.G. level.
The college volunteered to be assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, Bangalore, and submitted the Self-Study Report in March 1999. NAAC constituted a Peer Team to visit the college and validate the Self Study report. The Peer Team members were Dr. Mrs. J.K. Pillai, former Vice Chancellor of Mother Teresa Women’s University as Chairperson, Prof. A. Ramesh from the University of Madras and Prof. V.R. Shirgurkar, Principal, Parvatibai Chowgule College, Margao Goa as Members. Dr. Latha Pillai, Deputy Advisor, NAAC facilitated the Peer Team visit. The team visited the college for three days from 8 to 10 September 1999.
The Peer Team has carefully perused and analyzed the self-study report and all the relevant supportive documents submitted by the institution. During the institutional visit, the team had extensive interaction with the members of the Governing Body, the Principal, faculty members, students, non-teaching staff, parents, members of the alumni, and functionaries of the various associations, unions, clubs and other extension activities. The team visited all the departments and various facilities such as the library, the laboratories, the computer centre, the language laboratory, the hostel and sports facilities. Based on the visit and the discussion, an objective assessment of the college is made.
Section 2. Criterion-wise Analysis
Criterion I: Curricular aspects
As an affiliated college of MG University, the college follows the syllabus prescribed by the university for its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Arts , Science and Commerce in the annual pattern. The college offers 33 programmes - 13 undergraduate programmes, 6 post graduate programmes, 3 Ph.D, 5 certificate programmes, 7 diploma courses and 2 vocational programmes. All faculty members of the college feel that lack of autonomy restrains them from redesigning or reconstructing the curriculum. But the college has ensured that their senior faculty members are represented on Boards of Studies, Boards of examiners and other academic bodies of the university. As a member of the Board of Studies in French, a member of the French faculty was able to introduce Functional French in the university syllabus.
The college offers a number of optionals within the frame work of the university syllabus. The students of the two vocational courses – B.Sc Computer Applications and B.A Communicative English are sent for ‘on the job training’ to various offices, travel agencies, media centres, advertising companies, business concerns etc. thus establishing a close networking of college-industry- neighbourhood. Exploratory studies and surveys are undertaken by students of all departments to collect first hand information about the neighbourhood community.
The Peer Team scrutinized all records pertaining to the feedback obtained from students. Individual departments have been collecting feedback from students for the last so many years for improving their teaching. However, a structured mechanism to collect feedback from students about teaching and infrastructure facilities has been successfully developed by the college in the last two years. The detailed analysis of such feedback was made available to the Peer Team well in advance. It is commendable to note that students have fearlessly mentioned inadequacies in teaching and the infrastructure. The Principal has taken the feedback in all seriousness and has already initiated steps to remove deficiencies. Teachers are using the feedback to improve the quality of their work. The Peer Team is totally satisfied with the mechanism and the follow up action taken by the Management and the teachers.
Criterion II: Teaching, Learning and Evaluation
The college abides by the university norms with regard to admission to the degree and postgraduate courses. After admission, the college assesses student knowledge by various means of assessment such as class tests, assignments, presentation of papers etc. and then provides extra coaching to educationally disadvantaged students according to their specific requirements. Remedial classes are regularly organized for the benefit of SC/ST students.
Seminars on career guidance, value education and current affairs are organized by way of enrichment programmes. High achievers are challenged to enhance their abilities through self study and project work.
Faculty members periodically assess students through tests, seminars, quiz, assignments and send the report cards to parents.
There is a well equipped audio visual room which has recording facilities. The Department of Communicative English has a well equipped language laboratory and media facility to prepare teaching aids.
Teachers are recruited as per Government/University norms purely on the basis of merit. As the government has banned the appointment of permanent teaching staff, the college appoints ad hoc teaching staff on contract basis and the Management bears the cost.
Teachers submit their self appraisal reports at the end of every year. These are analyzed by the Principal and HOD’s. These reports are also sent to the DCE. Teacher performance appraisal is also made by students and in periodical parent-teacher meetings. Talents of students are nurtured by various youth clubs. The college has linkages with IGNOU, Alliance Francaise, ICRISAT in both teaching and research. The faculty regularly attend refresher courses, seminars and workshops to upgrade and update information. Academic excellence, community service and innovative teaching methods have been acknowledged with state and national awards. Outstanding teacher awards have been received by two faculty members – Sr. Emeline from AIACHE and Dr. K. S. Kumari from Siva Prasad foundation. Teachers seem to be unaware of the UGC schemes which facilitate visits abroad and interact with outside academics. This must be encouraged by the college.
Criterion III: Research , Consultancy and Extension
There are three research centres in the college, in the departments of botany, home science and sociology and they are actively involved in guiding research scholars and encouraging research projects. There are 34 full time and part time research scholars working for their Ph.D.
The college encourages teachers to take up research work. Necessary incentives are provided to them. As per the Self Study Report, 5 teachers were actively involved in research and 5 were engaged in research projects in 1997-’98. There were 9 publications by teachers. In the last 5 years 15 scholars were awarded Ph.D. The work done by the college in research is commendable. Ordinarily at the college level the faculty is engaged in curricular and co-curricular activities extensively and as such it is difficult for them to take out sufficient time for research. Despite this the college has achieved good results in research. The Peer Team , however would like to suggest that faculty should undertake many more major and minor research projects funded by the UGC and other agencies. Major research projects funded by the UGC allow colleges to buy necessary equipment required for doing research. This will enable the college to strengthen its research potential. Postgraduate departments should take up collective research programmes as well.
Extension activities of the college include community development, social work, health & hygiene awareness, AIDS awareness, environment awareness, legal awareness, career guidance, Nature Club etc. Students are encouraged to participate in extension activities. They are given certificates at the end of the year. The university gives gold medals, awards, prizes for outstanding performance. The college collaborates with government and non-governmental agencies such as Indian Medical Association, Cultural Academy for peace and non-violence, field publicity department, Govt. of Kerala, University Women’s association, UNICEF, Food and Nutrition Board, Government of India in their research and extension activities .
Criterion IV: Infrastructure and learning resources
As it is located in the city of Cochin, the college does not have land within the campus for expansion. Vertical expansion has been taking place to provide additional amenities to meet needs of students. The college is also trying to acquire more land. Due to its centralized location the college is often sought by various agencies such as the UGC, AIACHE and state and central governments as venues for various cultural programmes, youth festivals, sport council meets, seminars, conferences, quiz programs and inter-university competitions.
The college has a big central library with 62,700 books and subscribes to many journals and periodicals and has book bank facilities. The library committee includes faculty members as well as student union chairperson. Facilities of reprography and audio-video cassettes are available.
The college has a computer laboratory and a computer centre with 17 stand alone terminals. Computers are used in the college office, library and in the department of physics. Learning packages for payroll systems, hospital administration, materials Management and admission to various courses have been developed by students.
There is no health centre as such but there is provision for first aid facilities. As hospitals are nearby and the college is the preferred blood donator, preference is given to college students by the hospitals when there is a need.
The college has a gymnasium as well as courts for basket ball, volley ball and kho-kho. Sports persons are given free accommodation at the sports hostel, and special food; and there is a quota for sports persons in admission. Students have represented the college, the university, the state and the nation at various competitions and tournaments and have won several prizes and championships.
Many students of the college have made laudable achievements in the youth festival including winning the outstanding Young Person Award , Best Speaker Award, Best Actress Award and the overall championship trophy in the Fest an inter-collegiate competition.
The college maintains three hostels in excellent condition. At present 404 students take advantage of this facility. The inmates have given helpful feedback to the Peer Team about the facilities in the hostel.
The college does not have any formal mechanism for grievance redressal. However, the teaching staff reported to the satisfaction of the Peer Team that they take their grievances with their immediate Heads, supervisors and the Principal if required, and get them redressed. The Peer Team is convinced that the system works well in the college. The relationship between the Principal, the teaching and non teaching staff and the Management is excellent and very healthy. Students’ grievances are redressed mainly by their teachers. The Tutorial System, which is a statutory requirement, is used effectively for this purpose. Every teacher is in charge of a small group of students and she does academic and general counselling under this system. Students suggested that the college should sign an MOU with local sports clubs making additional sports facilities available to students. The suggestion may be considered by the Management. The present career information cell should be further developed by adding a placement cell and aptitude testing facilities in a structured manner. One of the laudable features of the college is that the talent of students is identified and a package of suitable extra-curricular activities and sports programmes is offered to students which goes a long way in achieving overall development of the student community.
Criterion V: Student support and progression
The admission policy of the college is stated in the college prospectus. There is reservation for S.C, S.T and minority students. The remaining seats are given to students from general category. All admissions are finalized on the basis of merit, category wise.
Excellent efforts are made by the college to achieve all round development of students. The college has a very good reputation. Parents proudly mention that they have been choosing the institution for their wards for the last two/three generations.
The college prospectus brought out at the beginning of the academic year gives information about the aims and objectives of the college, rules and regulations, details of the courses offered, fees charged, scholarships and concessions. The academic calendar is also given to students. The Peer Team noted at its meeting with students that the information is effectively disseminated among students and parents. The college offers a large number of scholarships to students. Concessions in fees are also given. Special scholarships are given to students excelling in sports. The total number of students who benefit from various concessions and scholarships was 373 and 494 in 1996-97 and 1997-98 respectively. Nearly 25% of students receive benefits from this source.
The college has recently set up a counselling centre. A career information centre functions through the initiative taken by the department of commerce. It is heartening to note that a large number of students are aware of the facility. They do take advantage of the same. The college does not have a placement cell. With multidimensional efforts made by the college to develop scholastic and other skills among a majority of its students, the Peer Team feels that setting up of a placement cell will certainly fill the existing gap.
The dropout rate at the undergraduate level is about 23% to 24% and at the postgraduate level is very low from 4 to 6%. The success rate of the college is very high, about 98%. The college maintains very good results, consistently including a number of ranks in the university examinations. During the last five years, 11 students have qualified for UGC-CSIR(NET) examination, 2 in GATE and 3 in Indian Civil Service examinations. The Tutorial System allows close monitoring of student progression. Student Aid Fund is available and students benefit from scholarships and other financial aid. Feedback from alumni is collected in an informal way by Heads of Departments. Use of the presently adopted mechanism to collect periodical feedback on a regular basis and a vibrant alumni association would ensure greater participation and contribution of the alumni.
The college has a strong NSS unit which undertakes various extension activities. Regular blood donation camps, construction of houses for Harijans, AIDS awareness programmes are some of the important NSS projects. The unit enrolls about 400 volunteers every year. It holds one annual camp for 10 days. The college encourages students to join NCC. Various associations such as debate and dramatic clubs, writer’s forum, nature club etc. organize large number of activities throughout the year.
Criterion VI: Organisation and governance
The college has constituted a number of committees for coordinating curricular, co curricular, social and cultural progress in the college. The advisory committee, governing body and the general body meet regularly to discuss and initiate policies. These bodies have representatives from faculty members and the Advisory Committee has a representative from the students union.
The college does not collect capitation for admission or for faculty appointments and the criterion is purely merit based. The college has a meticulous audit system and the deficit in the budget is adjusted with loans advanced by the Management.
In an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation, the teaching, and non teaching staff and the Management function effectively. The Principal monitors the academic and extra curricular activities through meetings which are regularly held. All academic matters are supervised by the College Council. Co-curricular programmes are monitored through regular meetings of the Sports Council, the Editorial Club, the Speakers’ Forum, the Planning Forum, NSS, Literary and Debating Club and other subject associations. The student union is actively involved in planning and running effectively various co-curricular activities. The Peer Team notes with great appreciation that the college programmes, both curricular and co-curricular have given excellent results in terms of student achievements.
The college is entitled to grants from the state government to meet its expenditure on salary of the approved teaching and non teaching staff. Besides, the college gets grants from the UGC. No grants are available to the college to meet the expanding needs of the library and the laboratories from these agencies. The Peer Team found that the Management provides adequate funds to the college to meet its annual deficit. Funds required for developmental projects also are made available by the Management. Annual budgets were made available to the Peer Team by the college. It found the resource management to be efficient.
Criterion VII: Healthy practices
Some of the unique features of the college which make it stand out as a centre of excellence in the state are as follows:
· The harmonious relationship that exists among the Management, the Principal, faculty members, non teaching staff and students and the healthy atmosphere which enables them to work as one strong team to achieve the stated goals.
· Politics-free campus is congenial for promoting a purely academic atmosphere in the college.
· Absence of strikes over the years has kept the curricular and co-curricular activities of the college undisturbed.
· Non involvement of the staff in the state level unions is a distinct feature of the college in this part of the country.
· The practice followed by the departments in preparing perspective plans give them the direction for future development.
· The involvement of ‘St. Teresa’s Association of Retired staff’ – ‘STARS’ in the college activities such as counselling, guest lectures and extension work is a unique feature of the college rarely seen in other colleges.
The outstanding achievement of the college is that it has established the tradition of winning prestigious awards such as
· ‘Best College Award of the State of Kerala’ from Rajeev Gandhi Foundation,
· ‘R. Sankar Award for the Best Aided College of the state for all round excellence’,
· ‘Innovative College Teacher Award’ from AIACHE,
· ‘Outstanding Teacher Award of Siva Prasad Foundation’,
· ‘International Fellowship of Reconciliation’ for the India Srilanka region,
· ‘The Overall Championship Trophy of Mahatma Gandhi University Youth festival’ for 11 years in succession.
· ‘Rev. Father T.A Mathias National Award for the Best Principal’ and several other awards for essay competitions, elocution competitions, debates etc.
Section 3: Overall Analysis
The Peer Team commends the institution for :
· the meticulous preparation of the self-assessment report and all the documents and evidences to support it.
· identifying weaknesses, limitations, untapped potentials and reforms needed when the self study report was under preparation and the courage and the readiness shown in implementing changes.
· the establishment of a formal grievance redressal cell in the form of tutorial system, comprising the class teachers and supervised by two coordinators.
· use of structured formats for peer evaluation and student feedback. Collection, consolidation and analysis of the same
· taking steps to reorganize its alumni association to ensure greater involvement in the college activities.
· plans for optimal utilisation of available infrastructure by starting evening courses and conducting certificate/ diploma courses during week ends.
· steps being taken to establish a central media facility, centralized computerization and automation of the office and the library.
· planning to build a larger auditorium and establishing a Women’s Studies Centre during the Platinum Jubilee celebration.
The following suggestions are made for consideration by the institution.
· As the college continues to strive for quality enhancement, it has to consider ways and means of expanding the infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the student population.
· Access to computers and student support services like placement cell need to be strengthened.
· Evolving a formal mechanism to get feedback from students and other stake holders as well, on a regular basis, and the findings of the feedback analysis made known to all the relevant functionaries, to achieve its objective of quality assurance.
· Institutionalisation of the self appraisal mechanism of teaching and non teaching staff.
· Providing teachers with adequate exposure to various schemes of funding bodies in order to promote research and apply for national and international travel grants.
A supportive Management, highly motivated teachers, a dynamic principal and talented and achievement oriented students are a welcome potential for the college to aspire for autonomous status. With these strengths the college can march towards academic excellence.
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