A Brief Report of the Seminar On

A brief report of the seminar on

Institutional Preparation for Re-Accreditation by NAAC

organized on June 21, 2006

Higher education plays a vital role in the development of any nation. Therefore there is a premium on both quantity and quality of higher education. Like in any other domain the method to improve quality remains the same. Finding and recognizing new needs and satisfying them with products and services of international standards. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has been set up by UGC, a decade back, to help all participating Institutions in field of higher education to asses their performance vis-à-vis set parameters. NAAC is a rating agency for academic excellence across India, and the country’s first such effort. NAAC has been striving hard for bringing qualitative reforms in Indian higher education system.

Osmania University, being accredited by NAAC with the highest rating of five stars in the year 2000 for a period of five years, is now preparing for Re-Accreditation. Re-Accreditation process has strategic importance for the Institutions of higher learning in the quest for continuous quality improvement. It is reaffirmation of the on going initiatives and strategies for quality sustenance and enhancement in higher education. For Osmania university Re-Accreditation is a unique opportunity to chart the course of our future as we navigate into the new millennium. Osmania University has established an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) to gear up the university for the Re-Accreditation through a number of programs involving all the stake holders at different levels.

As a part of this important exercise IQAC, OU has organized a seminar on “Institutional Preparation for Re-Accreditation by NAAC”, on June 21, 2006 at PGRRCDE Platinum Jubilee Hall to motivate all the colleges and administrative wings of the university in the preparation of Re-Accreditation Report (RAR). The main aim of the seminar is to narrow down the difference of perception of each constituent of the university and bringing awareness about the importance of actual implementation of the quality sustenance and improvement programs. All the administrative officers of the university, Deans of faculties, Principals of campus and constituent colleges, Heads and Chairpersons of the Departments, Coordinators of Quality Maintenance Cells of all colleges have participated in the seminar. Prof. M.Mutha Reddy, Registrar welcomed the gathering. Prof. M.LakshmipathiRao, Coordinator, IQAC, OU has detailed about the need and objectives of the seminar. Prof. R.V.R.ChandrasekharaRao, former Vice-Chancellor, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University has inaugurated the seminar and delivered the Key-note address. In his address he said that in India for over a century and half the universities mostly controlled themselves determining their own mechanisms of maintaining quality. Now NAAC’s role is a more extensive and intensive one which has the great benefit of being a quality assurance exercise which is a service offered to the universities voluntarily subjecting themselves for NAAC’s validation, as also one which confers all India recognition and even International endorsement. The commitment to quality, particularly in the context of expanding quantity is now as sacred a commitment as the concept of education itself. Therefore firming quality and approaches to excellence are to be pursued ceaselessly. He also highlighted the type of accreditation system to which Universities in advanced countries are subjected to.

Dr. Stephen Ryrie Associate Dean, Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of West of England, Bristol, UK and Institutional auditor for UK Quality Assurance Agency for higher education, as a guest honor talked on quality assurance of higher education in UK. He said in his university they have established quality loops in which all the staff play a part and these quality loops help in effective monitoring and evaluation of courses and programs.

Prof. Mohd. SulemanSiddiqi, Vice-chancellor, OU in his presidential remarks highlighted the achievements and progress of the university during the past five years. He stressed upon the strengths of the university

Two of the constituent colleges – University college for Women and Nizam college are recognized by UGC as colleges with potential for excellence

Forty one of the total fifty two Departments are obtaining grants under special assistance form National agencies in recognition of their overall excellence.

Engineering and Technology colleges have got Rs. 15.89 crores form MHRD

Digitization of library work has been started with International linkages

Educational Multi Media Research Center, OU produced multimedia based learning programs

Academic staff college, OU is ranked third in the country by UGC

A variety of job oriented courses are introduced

661 foreign students from as many as 45 countries have enrolled for 2005-2006

Research Development Consultancy Center is established

University Industry Hub is created with emphasis on information and communication technology, bio-tech and Pharmacy industry, Health care and medical informatics

Revitalized Osmania University Alumni association

Received grants for providing round the clock central student facility housing digital library, e-class room, computer labs with internet facility, language labs, central placement cell, conference room, auditorium, student stores and cafeteria.

Entered into MOUs with many international universities.

1112 PhD’s have been awarded, 190 research projects completed and 270 in progress, 1735 research publication, 192 monographs/books have been published by teachers

Dr. LathaPillai, Advisor, NAAC spoke on the processes involved in the Re-Accreditation. She informed that NAAC has identified various criteria to serve as the basis for its assessment procedures. Mainly NAAC would asses any Institution based on its contribution to national development, fostering global competencies among students, inculcating a value system in students, promoting the use of technology and quest for excellence. Towards its goal of Re-Accreditation, she said, IQAC has to play a vital role by analyzing the earlier Peer Committee reports and identify the strengths and weaknesses. Further IQAC has to monitor the activities and convert the weaknesses into strengths and to sustain and improve the quality in strong areas. Many participants interacted with the Advisor and clarified some of their apprehensions and doubts regarding Re-Accreditation process. During the interaction the Advisor NAAC informed the members that NAAC is seriously considering the idea of Department wise accreditation in addition to the accreditation of university.

In the Post-lunch session Prof. I.B.RamaPrasadaRao, Dean, Faculty of Science and former coordinator IQAC, OU talked on the activities of IQAC in Osmania University. Later all the principals of campus and constituent colleges presented, activities undertaken by their colleges, during the last five years and shared their experiences in the preparation of Re-Accreditation report. In his concluding remarks Coordinator, IQAC briefed the members about the future plans to be undertaken by IQAC.