National Seminar on ‘Enhancing Quality in the Higher Education’ Concludes

28^th February 2018, Hyderabad: The two-day National Seminar on ‘Enhancing Quality in Higher Education’, jointly organized by The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education Hyderabad, (Deemed University), and NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council), Bengaluru, concluded today.

The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. B. S. Madhukar, Adviser, NAAC, on 27^th February at IFHE campus and presided over by Dr. J. Mahender Reddy, Vice Chancellor, IFHE. Over 150 delegates from across the country representing various Universities and colleges attended the seminar.

The Chief Guest Dr. B.S. Madhukar, in his inaugural address, elucidated the technicalities of NAAC accreditation process. He hinted that the new format of accreditation and assessment process is underway which will lead to positive changes in the education sector. He mentioned that henceforth the new accreditation process will give weightage to Qualitative (20 percent), Quantitative (70 percent) assessments and student satisfaction survey for the remaining 10 percent. One significant development in the direction is the ‘digitalization of data’ which needs to be submitted online. Also, there will be ‘Data Verification and Validation’ (DVV) by NAAC authorized personnel subsequently. Another path breaking development in the quality assessment process is the identification of the student as the most important stakeholder in the quality spectrum which is reflected in the online ‘student satisfaction survey’, he added.

Addressing the erudite gathering, Vice Chancellor Dr. J. Mahender Reddy, highlighted the context of organizing the seminar in the light of Government of India’s initiatives for promoting quality in higher education through NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) and Prime Minister’s Fellowship program for scientific research in IITs etc., to bring a transformation in higher education sector. This alone would meet the challenges of new age and help in deriving the benefit of demographic dividend, he said.  He further echoed the viewpoint that sustaining quality systems in higher education is the fundamental need of the present time.

TECHNICAL SESSIONS:

Session 1: In the session “Assessment and Accreditation: What Matters?”, Dr. Reddy presented a bird’s eye view of scenario of universities in India with key statistics.  Dr. Reddy further elaborated the new assessment system which revolves around seven important criteria—Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Extension, Research and extension, Infrastructure, Student support and Progression, Governance and Leadership, Institutional values and Best Practices.

Session 2: While addressing the technical session on “Building a Best in Class University: Quality Parameters, Assessment, Best Practices and Leadership Attributes”, Prof. M.R. Rao, former Dean, ISB and former Director, IIM, Bangalore, stressed upon the need for building a world class institution with focus on quality sustenance and regular accreditation process by reputed bodies. He outlined the need for good leadership at the institutions which can adopt best practices in the direction.

Session 3: In the session on “Self Study Report- A Key to Accreditation Process”, Prof. T.S.R.K. Rao, Dean, Accreditations, IFHE, has compared the making of Self Study Report (SSR) to that of SWOC (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Challenges) implying that it reflects the overall health of organization.

Session 4: In the session on, “Between Assessments: Issues and Challenges”, Dr. B.S. Madhukar, gave a panoramic view of Quality concept from different perspectives and further opined that Quality is non-negotiable and basically a mindset issue that keeps changing with the passage of time. He elaborated upon the IQAC (Internal Quality Assurance Cell) mechanism stating that it should not be a mere data collection center but should ensure incremental improvements in quality. The concept of Academic and Administrative Audit (AAA) also finds special significance in the process, said, Dr. Madhukar. He highlighted the growing relevance of employability skills which will encompass both functional and workplace attitudes. Further, value systems are to be inculcated among students with inspiration from role models like Abdul Kalam and Einstein.

Session 5: Speaking on the topic “Innovative Practices in Building Quality in Higher Education Institutions”, Dr. Kaushik, Former Ambassador of India to Tukmenistan, former Member UGC gave a brilliant exposition on innovations in curriculum design and development, which should be viable and credible. The talent search for faculty should be to ensure that the teachers have a positive disposition for the institution, students, research, family and society. He also elaborated the role of Alumni in making the institutional agenda to be achieved.

Session 6: The session on “Documentation for Successful NAAC Accreditation”,  was explained by Prof. T.S.R.K. Rao.

The 2-Day seminar was graced by the presence of Smt. Shobha Rani Yasaswy, Chair Person, ICFAI Society, Shri V.R. Shankara and Dr. V. Panduranga Rao, Advisor, ICFAI Group. Eminent academicians like Prof. Kaushik and Prof. Tirupati Rao, Members, Board of Management, Dr. M.R. Rao, former Dean, ISB, Dr. G. Hargopal Reddy, former Vice Chancellor, Nagarjuna University and Vice Chancellors of ICFAI Group Universities have also attended and enriched the deliberations.

Notes to the Editor:

NAAC: The NATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION COUNCIL (NAAC) is an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India to assess and accredit institutions of higher education in the country. It is an outcome of the recommendations of the National Policy in Education (1986) which laid special emphasis on upholding the quality of higher education in India.  

IFHE: The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE) is a  Deemed to be University declared under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. The University is accredited by NAAC with ‘A’ Grade with a score of 3.43 out of 4. Four thousand two hundred students are pursuing various programs in the Faculty of Management (ICFAI Business School), Faculty of Science and Technology (ICFAI Tech School), and Faculty of Law (ICFAI Law School). The University campus based at Hyderabad, is a 92 acres lush green campus with built-up area of over 16 lakh sq.ft. The campus is fully residential, Wi-Fi enabled and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

Authorized Signatory
Sudhakar Rao
Director-Branding
Mob: + 91- 9848529385.