Peer Team Report on the

Institutional Accreditation of

St. Xavier's College, Ranchi, Bihar.

Section 1: Preface

St. Xavier's College, Ranchi, was started by the Ranchi Jesuit Province of the Society of Jesus in July 1944. The College is a Christian Minority College affiliated to Ranchi University, Bihar. It got recognition from the University Grants Commission under Sec. 2-f of the UGC Act before 1960. The College serves the Chotanagpur division of Bihar and pays special attention to the needs of the tribal students of the region.

St. Xavier's College, Ranchi aims at an integral and personalized education of the young by providing well planned under graduate courses. The student strength is 3537, of which 829 students are girls. The College has 81 permanent teachers of whom only six are female teachers. The faculty has a strong potential with 36 out of 81 teachers possessing Ph.D. degrees. The campus area of the College is about 10 acres, which accommodates the 19 academic departments. The College offers 21 traditional courses and 5 vocational courses. Besides the UGC sponsored vocational courses - Functional English, Functional Hindi and Computer Applications - the College has introduced on self financing basis, BA/BCom Honours in Office Management and Secretarial Practice and B.Com Honours in Advertising, Sales Promotion and Sales Management.

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. Jaya Kothai Pillai, Former Vice-Chancellor of Mother Teresa Women's University, Chennai as Chairperson, Prof. A.S.Kukla, Principal, Acharya Narendra Dev College, New Delhi and Prof.S.Pradhan, Director, College Development Council, Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, as members. Dr. Antony Stella, Deputy Advisor of NAAC facilitated the Peer Team visit. The team visited the College from 5th to 7th May, 1999.

The Peer Team had carefully studied and analysed the self-study report. During the institutional visit, the team had extensive interaction with the members of the Governing Body, the Principal, faculty members of all departments, students, parents, members of the Alumni Association, and functionaries of the various extension activities. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ranchi Prof.L.C.N.Shahdeo who is a member of the Governing Body was also present when the team had discussion with the members of the Governing Body. The team visited all the departments, the various supporting units and facilities like the Library, Laboratories, Computer Centre, Hostel, IGNOU Study Centre, Auditorium, Gymnasium etc. The Peer Team also had the occasion to look into the relevant documents including annual reports, budget details and Rules and Regulations of the Memorandum of the Association of St. Xavier's College. Based on the visit and the discussions, the objective assessment of the College is made.

Section 2: Criterion-wise Analysis

Criterion I: Curricular Aspects

The college offers under graduate programmes in BA, BSC and BCom following the syllabi prescribed by the Ranchi University. Being within the affiliating system of this University, the college does not have many programme / course options to offer to its students. There are 21 traditional courses and 5 vocational courses.

Other than the five vocational courses in Functional Hindi, Functional English, Computer Applications, Office Management and Secretarial Practice, and Advertising, Sales Promotion and Sales Management, the courses offered are very traditional in nature as prescribed by the Ranchi University. However, the committee could perceive the great desire among teachers and students for restructuring/updating the syllabi and for adopting the inter disciplinary approach for restructuring courses. But they are handicapped, since the syllabus is prescribed by the university keeping in mind all categories of colleges within its affiliating jurisdiction.

The introduction of five career oriented vocational courses - 3 UGC sponsored and 2 self financing, is a commendable endeavour made by the college. Through these vocational courses the college has established its linkage and networking with the local industries and other similar agencies.

Despite curricular constraints the college has a high academic standard and is known for its excellence in the whole of Bihar.

Criterion II : Teaching-learning and Evaluation

The college admits students on merit, selected through an entrance test, interview and of course giving special weightage to the tribal students who constitute about 40% of the total intake.

The college is known for regularity in teaching, timely completion and revision of courses before students appear for the examinations. The routine of the college is seldom affected by dharnas, demonstrations and student strikes.

The performance of the students in the University examination is very good, to the satisfaction of the parents/guardians. The teachers adhere to the academic calendar of the college. They are available to students for any counselling and the interaction between them is cordial. However, there is a need to involve the faculty in the preparation of the lesson-plans and drawing the programme for bridge/remedial courses for the educationally backward tribal students.

The committee had a meaningful interaction with the parents and alumni belonging to the cross section of the society and who were present. There was a positive feedback about the standard of teaching, student discipline and personality development of their wards in the college. They all have great confidence in this institution.

Though the evaluation pattern of the university requires only the terminal examination, the faculty members periodically assess students through seminars, quizzes, assignments and tests and give feedback to students, which is an appreciable aspect of this college.

Teachers are recruited on merit by a selection committee constituted by the college Governing Body. Over and above the Govt. approved and sanctioned posts, the college has recruited a large number of teachers who are paid from its own resources. The college promotes faculty development by encouraging the newly recruited teachers to undergo the orientation courses and the senior teachers to undergo the refresher courses, organised by the Academic Staff Colleges. Faculty participation in national and international seminars is also encouraged.

It is suggested that self-appraisal of teachers as well as students' appraisal of teachers be encouraged on a regular basis.

Criterion Ill : Research, Consultancy and Extension

Though it is an under graduate college catering for students of the intermediate level also, it is satisfying to note that about 50% of the faculty have research degrees and others are on the line. About 10% of the faculty are involved in active research.

About 50% of the teachers are recognised as research supervisors to guide the Ph.D. programme of the Ranchi University. There are 5 ongoing projects with the total outlay of Rs. 19 lakhs funded by agencies like the UGC, the SAIL, the CCL and the Canadian International development Agency. However, the committee was astonished to learn from most of the teachers that they were not aware of the U.G.C. support for minor and major research projects and teacher fellowship schemes of IX plan period. There is an immediate need to streamline the information flow to the faculty. Though many teachers of the college are involved in the research activities, there is a need for the college to encourage more research and consultancy work among the teachers.

Extension services are being offered through N.C.C. and N.S.S. wings. The college has adopted a few slums of Ranchi for serving the weaker sections of the society.

Criterion IV : Infrastructure and Learning Resources

The college is situated on a 10-acre plot in the heart of the city. Though established in a modest building in the year 1944, the college has developed a large infrastructure and added a number of buildings.

The college has a large auditorium/hall, which can accommodate about 1000 students and is being used for college/student functions and for the conduct of examinations. There are spacious lecture rooms, which can accommodate upto 200 students, huge Science laboratories, which can accommodate upto 60 or more students in the Science departments of the college.

Departments are provided with staff-rooms to facilitate interaction among the members of the teaching community. Similarly, the Principal, the Vice-Principal, the College Bursar, the administration and Finance personnel have spacious accommodation. The offices of the Principal and the Vice-Principal are computerised and this has facilitated the preparation and compilation of student information and its easy availability on the computer. The college is planning to fully computerise its administrative and finance sections.

The college has a large Computer Laboratory, available to the students of Computer Science. Periodically, many departments use the facility and organise computer awareness programmes for the benefit of the students of the college. However, there is a need to expose a larger section of students to computer skills.

The college has a big central Library with more than 93,000 books, subscribing to many journals. It has a huge reading room which can accommodate more than 200 students at a time. The commendable feature is that the reading room remains fully utilized from 6.30 a.m to 10.00 p.m. and both present and ex-students can avail themselves of this facility. A separate reading room has been provided to the girl students. There is a plan to computerise the library. Besides, each department has its own library maintained by the teachers. The departmental students are the frequent users of these libraries.

The college has a stand-by generator and a Health Centre in the hostel premises. However, there is need to update the Canteen and grievance redressal mechanisms.

Criterion V : Student Support and Progression

Though the college was established in the year 1944, to provide educational facilities to the tribal population of "Chota Nagpur" region now it has a large general category of students. About 40% of its student population are still tribals, which is a modest example of tribal welfare. The college has a boys’ hostel for 900 students and it is meant exclusively for tribal students at subsidized rates. However, there is need to provide a hostel for girls and the general category of students.

The college has a huge enrolment of more than three thousand students. It functions from 6.45 a.m. to late evening. Despite the numbers and long hours, the college is known for its "discipline" and "no strikes" in this region. This aspect has been emphatically commented upon by the college Alumni Association, which maintains frequent interactions with this institution.

The dropout rate especially in science courses is between 30-40% in the first year. According to the faculty, the students migrate to other professional courses. However, the success rate at the examinations is between 90-100% and many students of this college obtain top university positions. The result is that many students of this college get into IAS, IPS, Banking and other significant positions in Industry.

Appropriate sports facilities like a gymnasium, T.T. room, basket ball and Volley ball courts and a playground for conventional sports are available. Tribal students receive financial aid but there is need to broad-base the financial assistance and the placement services.

Criterion VI : Organisation and Management

The college has constituted a large number of committees for smooth management of the institution. The academic council consisting of Heads of Departments, Faculty Coordinators, Principal, Vice-Principal, Registrar and Examination Controller. The college has a finance committee, management committee, administrative committee and the apex body, the Governing Body of this college but there is need for these committees to meet more often. It is significant to observe that none of the decisions of these committees or the selection committees have been challenged at any level. Normal procedures for staff recruitment are being followed but preference is given to ST catholic candidates.

The college has an annual budget of more than 1.7 crores with a salary component of more than 13 crores to which the State Government contributes only 43.9 lakhs. The college is able to mobilize its resources with the introduction of self financing vocational courses, evening and intermediate classes and with donations. Despite the resource crunch, the college plans to proceed with its programme of office automation and enhancement of its computer facility. The expansion of its IGNOU study centre is a step in this direction. The college has a satisfactory system of budgeting and it has engaged auditors to help ensure financial accountability. Though there is appreciable involvement of the teaching faculty in the academic programming of the departments, there is need for effective student, and faculty participation in decision making at various levels in the college.

Criterion VII : Healthy Practices

The unique feature of the College is its commitment to foster the educational development of the Chotanagpur region with special attention to the needs of the tribal students. About 1216 of the students belong to tribal areas and the College accords priority to the education of scheduled tribe and scheduled caste students. About 700 such students have been accommodated in the hostel on very nominal charges.

Another important feature is that the College has been able to provide the students with regular classes through out the year, which is an achievement in itself. The College has not been affected by the number of strikes by the various groups in the region. The cooperative and committed efforts of the faculty members and the administrative staff have made this possible.

The College has been able to inculcate a sense of discipline among the students; this was evident from the interaction the team had with the students and their parents. "Discipline" and "Personal Care" attract the students to seek admission in this prestigious college.

The college has shown dynamism in introducing job oriented vocational courses such as Computer Applications, Office Management and Secretarial Practice, and Advertising, Sales Promotion and Sales Management. The effort of the college in making education relevant to the needs of the students and the society is commendable.

Though not a requirement by the University, the faculty members have used innovative techniques such as seminars, quizzes, assignments, project work, viva voce tests etc for the continuous assessment of student performance. The performances in the tests are discussed with students and thus evaluation procedures are used as learning experiences.

The college has won the acclaim as a centre of excellence in the region and the State.

Section 3: Overall Analysis

St. Xavier's College, in its 55 years of existence, has made many strides in its overall achievement. The institution is striving hard to produce intellectually competent and morally upright men and women in the service of the country, through its curricular, Co-curricular and extension programmes. The institution lays great stress on values of social justice, probity in private and public life and empowering the powerless, particularly the tribal and other vulnerable sections of the society.

St. Xavier's College, Ranchi has commendable infrastructure and consistently satisfactory academic results. The institution has scope for future development with the infrastructure available and the academic potential of the teaching staff.

Academic excellence has been demonstrated by the students in attaining awards, prizes and university ranks. Mutual understanding and the cordial friendly relations between the faculty and students exist and this was evident in the interaction, the team had with the students.

It is satisfying to note that about 50% of the faculty have research degrees. The institution could encourage relevant research and consultancy work among the teachers and explore the possibilities of collaboration with the industries around Ranchi.

Some departments are experimenting with innovative teaching methodologies and evaluation procedures. This needs to be encouraged among all the faculty. The college does have a large computer laboratory; ways and means of making all students computer literate may be encouraged.

The team appreciates the efforts of the college to maximize utilization of the existing classrooms, library and laboratories by starting work from 6.45 a.m and working right upto 8 p.m. There is a dire need to upgrade the health services, canteen services and hostel facilities for boys and girls.

Modernization of classroom teaching by using technological aids, encouraging more experience-based learning, initiating a placement cell, and offering counselling services to the students. would contribute to the growth and development of the student community.

With one third of the students being female students, the women's forum needs to be activated to expose the students to gender issues.

The future plans of the institution are encouraging especially with reference to office automation and updating central facilities.

The team appreciates the sincere and sustained efforts of the Principal and the faculty, the administrative staff and all the Governing Body members in facilitating the Assessment and Accreditation exercise. The Peer Team wishes the college all success in their future endeavours.

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