IQAC Report 2008-09

Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC)

Name of the institution:

Sree Neelakanta Govt. Sanskrit College

Pattambi, Palakkad, Kerala—679 306

Ph : 0466 – 2212223

Website: www.sngscollege.info

E-mail : mail@sngscolege.info

sngscollege@gmail.com

Year of report 2008- 2009

PART—A

The first meeting of the I.Q.A.C., convened at the beginning of the academic year, extensively inventoried the overall performance of the college during the previous year and devised a number of strategies to go ahead more effectively by learning from past experiences. Given the changes necessitated and challenges thrown in by rapid and unprecedented sociopolitical shifts, the general consensus was to place the highest priority to the academic excellence of students, with special emphasis on the tools to equip them earn gainful employment and to draw them into original research. The following heads, in addition to the needs that would arise from time to time, were chosen to bring about the changes and targeted development.

1. Campus beautification
2. Purchase of books and journals
3. Acquisition of equipment
4. Repair of building
5. Completion of canteen-cum-post office building
6. Expansion of the internet club
7. Streamlining of the website and e-journal
8. Extension activities in the computer center
9. Library building
10. Science block
11. New programs
12. Submission of U.G.C. XI Plan proposal
13. Availability of potable water
14. Seminars/workshops/conferences
15. Steps to attain the status of heritage college
16. Proposal for Center for Potential Excellence  

Description and assessment of achievements

1. Campus Beautification: A committee of seven teachers headed by Sri V.P. Vijayan, teacher-in-charge of the Compulsory Social Service (C.S.S.), was formed at the beginning of the year to keep the campus clean and pretty. The postgraduate department of botany, almost on its own, took up the restoration of an area immediately in front of the college building, weeding   the area and planting trees of academic value.  With the active advice and assistance offered by the department of botany, a lot has been done in realizing the target. With the enthusiastic involvement of organizations like the Nature Club, National Service Scheme (N.S.S.) and the National Cadet Corpse (N.C.C.), the committee has achieved remarkable success in spotting appropriate locations and plating suitable trees there. The regular work put in by students as part of C.S.S. has been most handy in sustain the rhythm.
2. Purchase of books and subscription to journals: The Plan fund of the state government was earmarked for books while a portion of the first three installments of the U.G.C. XI Plan was used for the purchase of research journals for every department. It was through the college cooperative store that most of the books were purchased at competitive rates. In the case of journals, publishers were requested to send in invoices and orders were placed subsequently.
3. Acquisition of equipment: Using the aforesaid funds, required equipment, especially for science departments, were purchased. UPS, batteries, barcode, refrigerator, demineraliser, water distilling unit, scanners, printers, OHPs, LCD, stopwatches, autoclave and air conditioner are some of the equipment already purchased or on the verge of acquisition. The N.C.C. Unit, Calicut, kindly donated a water purifier for the use of students.
4. Repair of building: The tress work, meant to protect the buildings from direct exposure to rain and heat, has been going on since the last academic year. The whole postgraduate block in now completely protected by means of overhead sheets while the same process is picking up momentum in the case of the main building. As part of the Calicut University inter-zone fete, the auditorium was thoroughly revamped, retrofitted and painted. The entrance and a part of the corridor were tiled and painted anew. 
5. Canteen-cum-post office building: The construction of the building proposed to accommodate the college canteen, Mele Pattambi post office and a bank was completed during the year and formerly inaugurated by Sri. C.P. Mohammed MLA on 12 December 2008. Soon the local Kudumbashree unit started running the canteen, offering food at highly affordable rates, catering to the needs of teachers and students. Paperwork to move the post office is underway while a few nationalized banks have evinced interest in opening a branch in the campus.  
6. Expansion of the internet club:   The internet club saw a phase of invigorated and hectic activities during the year with the number of users registering an astronomical increase. In order to serve better, the opening hours were hiked by an hour. Rs. 3,00,000 from the U.G.C. has been earmarked for the purchase of computers, an MFD and a UPS for the overall expansion of the club.
7. Streaming the website and the e-journal: The groundwork for changing the college website is over and the actual process is expected to take place in matter of weeks. During the inter-zone art fete of the Calicut university, the website doubled up as a source of information and many reporters heavily depended on it. The e-journal was received a facelift with a new design and its contents have started to measure up to standards. Three issues of the e-journals were brought out and the proposals to have a print version are under active consideration.
8. Extension activities in the computer center: The center continued to run basic and advanced computer courses for students in morning and afternoon sessions, apart from providing technical support as and when necessary. A photocopier and printer were newly installed so that students can search, edit, print and copy the material they need.    
9. Library building: The construction of the library building, with the financial assistance of the Rajya Sabha M.P. Sri. T. B. Pillai, was completed and was officially inaugurated on 12 December 2008. With the new space, the library is in a position to stack books in a more accessible pattern and thus offer better services.
10. Science block: The Public Works Department (PWD) has prepared detailed plan and estimate for the proposed science block though the actual construction is yet to begin.
11. New programs: No new programs were started during the period.
12. Submission of U.G.C. XI Plan: The detailed proposals for financial assistance under general, postgraduate and merged schemes offered by the U.G.C. (Plan XI) were submitted through the proper channel in time. It was a committee headed by Sri M.P.Rajan that prepared the document, after many consultations and discussions with the stakeholders. Till date the college has received an assistance of Rs. 10,13,021 (UG + merged) and related activities are monitored by a duly constituted committee.  
13. Availability of potable water: Concerted attempts were made to solve the acute shortage of potable water during the period. Pump mechanism was repaired and a new set was installed. In addition, worn out pipes were either replaced or repaired. The college has consulted authorities concerned for a comprehensive plan and has received favorable response.
14. Seminars/workshops/conferences:  

NATIONAL LEVEL

A. Chemistry: A U.G.C. sponsored national seminar on molecular materials was held on March 24 and 25, 2009 by the postgraduate department of chemistry. The event proved quite expository and enlightening to the participants principally because of the variety and depth of the papers presented. Dr.V.Biju (Scientist, AIST, Japan), Dr. E. Prasad, Assistant Professor, IIT, Madras, Dr.N.B.Sankaran (Scientist, General Electricals, Bangalore), Dr. Manoj Neerghat (Assistnt Professor, IIT, Mumbai), Dr. M. Eswaramoorthy (Associate Professor, JNCARS, Bangalore ) and Dr. P.Raveendran (Reader, University of Calicut ) presented papers on a host of emerging relevant areas. One gratifying thing to note is that most of the resource persons are alumni of the college.  

B. Malayalam: A U.G.C. sponsored national seminar on ‘The Impact of Contemporary Linguistic Perspectives on Malayalam Language Studies’ was conducted by the post-graduate and research department of Malayalam on 23 and 24 October 2008. It  explored the ways in which modern theories and postulates have informed and influenced the analysis, writing, teaching and learning of Malayalam grammar. Prof. P.K.Menon, Dr. P. Somasekharan, Dr. T. Sreevalsan, Dr.P.Pavithan, Dr. and K. Rajendran presented papers. There was a special open forum on the overall status of language teaching-leaning in higher education.

C. Sanskrit: The post-graduate and research department of  Sanskrit organized a two-day UGC sponsored national seminar on 14 and 15 of October, 2008 on the Vision of Nature in Sanskrit Literature.  Noted thinker and writer Dr. R.V.G. Menon inaugurated the function. Dr C. Rajendran, Dr. P.V. Ramankutty, Dr A.N. Sarma and Miss T.S. Ajitha presented papers. The seminar, interdisciplinary in sensibility and approach, was quite enlightening for the audience that comprised teachers and scholars from other departments and disciplines. 

STATE AND INTERNAL

A. Multimedia Center: Under the joint auspices of the Multimedia Center and the Kerala Higher Education Council, a seminar on restructuring higher education was held on 23 July.  Dr. K.N.Ganesh and Dr. K Ramachandran presented key papers.   The seminar discussed various aspects of the radical and substantial changes the government proposed to introduce in curriculum, syllabus, methodology, sensibility and evaluation at undergraduate level from the following academic year.  Teachers and students actively intervened with suggestions, questions and criticisms making the event vibrant.

B. Sanskrit: The Punnassesri talk, an annual joint venture of the department of Sanskrit and the PTA, was held on 27 Jauary. Noted historian Dr. Kesavan Veluthatt delivered the talk on how works of literature are inextricably intertwined with history and prevailing social ethos.  The function was formally inaugurated by the Principal. Dr. P.V.Raman Kutty talked on the life, times and contributions of Sri Punnasseri Nampi, the founder of the college. A vast gathering consisting of teachers and students participated.  

C. Commerce: The Annual Punnaseeri Commemoration Talk organized by the Postgraduate Department of Commerce took place on March 4. The key address was delivered by Sri.K. Pankunni, Principal, Govt. College , Kozhinjarpara. He talked on the ongoing global downturn, its causes and possible impacts.

D. Chemistry: The Punnasseri talk of the department of Chemistry talk was delivered by  Dr. K.R. Haridas, School of Chemical Sciences, Kannur University, Mahe, on ‘New Generation Solar Cells’.

E. Botany :  In the case of botany department, the talk was by Dr.G.Pradeepkumar, dept. of botany, M.G. Colle on the Biodiversity of India

F. Economics: . Punnasseri Talk in Economics was done by Dr.K.P. Mani on Kerala State Development Challenges and Prospects. 

G. Malayalam: i)The postgraduate and research department of Malayalam organized the annual Marar Commemorative Talk on February 9. Dr. M.N. Karasseri, noted writer and champion of secularism, the chief guest. The topic of the lecture was ‘Mararute Sthree’ (Women as manifested in the works of Marar).

ii) The department organized a one day program to commemorate the life, times and achievements of Cherukad—revolutionary writer, political activist, social reformer and a successful teacher on March 12. The program was designed to mark the golden jubilee of Muthassi, arguably his masterpiece published fifty years ago. As far the college is concerned, the writer had been a teacher here. The program was inaugurated by C.P.Mohammed M.L.A. Dr. Sunil P. Elayidom, Sree Sankara University , Kalady, and Sri M.M Narayanan, noted critic, presented a papers. 

F. Career and Placement cell: 

i) The Cell arranged a talk by Sri. B.K. Nair, manager, branch office of L.L.C. Cherpullasseri, on the employment opportunities offered by the Corporation for the young on 10 October.

ii) The Placement Cell organized a training session on group discussion on 15 November. Dr. M.N. Parasuraman led the program in which thirty students participated. There were many presentations, roleplays and evaluation sessions by the students.  

iii) The cell, in association with the department of economics, conducted a talk on nationalized banking sector in India on 21 November. Sri. R. Vijayakrishnan, Chief Manager, V. Parameswaran, Manager P&S and Sri. Nilanjan Haldham, Assistant Manager (all from State Bank of Travancore, Pattambi) spoke on the occasion. Topics such as the role played by public sector banks in keeping our economy from plunging into crises, their services and new plans were discussed and debated. All the members of the economics department and eighty students attended the function.

iv) The Cell and the the Multimedia Center, offered crash coaching for UGC/NET Paper in December 2008. In the case of Malayalam, Sanskrit, English, Economics and Commerce, orientation sessions and lectures for Paper II and III were also arranged. Nearly eighty candidates participated in the program in twelve sessions. A longer program to be conducted during the summer vacation is under active consideration

15. Steps to attain the status of Heritage College: The PTA has made representations to the government to get the college declared as a heritage institution.

16. Proposal for the Center of Potential Excellence: Proposals have been sent for getting recognition as a center for potential excellence.

PART—B

1. Activities reflecting the goals and objectives of the college

a)     Renovation of computer center

b)     Improvement in the language lab

c)      Growth oriented activities in the library

d)     Conduct of seminars, conferences and workshops

e)     Training sessions for competitive examinations

f)      Interdisciplinary activities

g)     Popularization of the internet

2. New academic programs initiated (UG and PG):    No program was initiated during the period
3. Innovation in curricular design and transaction:

1. The curricular design and restructuring of undergraduate education in Sanskrit was held in the college on March 2,3,4,10 and 11 . Teachers from colleges affiliated to t University of Calicut attended the program. Basically an interactive workshop, the program spawned new syllabi for Sanskrit as main, subsidiary and additional language. Dr. K. Subrahmaian, Chairman of UG Board of Studies spearheaded the program. 
2. Every department had representation in the discussions and workshops on the restructuring of undergraduate education held by the University of Calicut and a good number of them have prepared syllabi for the new program.
3. The college has included the development of curriculum development, on the basis of regional needs, in its proposal to the XI Plan of the UGC

4. Interdisciplinary programs started:

Interdisciplinary forum: The College has an Interdisciplinary Forum which conducted the following programs:

i) Under the joint auspices  the Interdisciplinary Forum and the Multimedia       Center, a debate was conducted on the recommendations of the Higher Education  Council regarding the plan to introduce credit-and-semester system at the undergraduate level on 19, June 2008. Sri. P.P.Prakasan and Sri. P. Rajesh presented key papers. May teachers and students actively participated in the following discussion on the new pedagogical paradigm shift that necessitates grading and its statistical aspects.

ii) Interdisciplinary Forum conducted a two hour talk on current financial on 15 November. Sri. P. Rajesh, Convener of the Forum, welcomed the gathering. Dr. M. Raghavan, Retired I.A.S., presented the key paper  and Sri. K.K. Damodaran, department of commerce, Government college, Perinthalmanna, was the moderator.  The talk dwelt at length and in great detail on the facts and factors that triggered the current crisis and gave a realistic picture of the local and global economy, all within a framework defined by political positions.

5. Short term courses and computer awareness courses in the computer center:

i)         Basic and advanced courses are offered for students in the computer center

ii)       A training course for office staff was conducted in the computer center

6. Examination reforms implemented: As per university rules
7. Candidates qualified NET, SLET and GATE:

8. Initiative towards faculty development program:

1. The following teachers are pursuing research leading to Ph.D.

2. The following staff members attended seminars and/or presented papers

9. Total number of seminars / workshops conducted: 13
10. Research projects (a) implemented (b) completed:

11. Patents generated, if any: NIL
12. New collaborative research program: NIL
13. Research grant received from various agencies: Major + minor (NNN)

14. Details of research scholars:

1. Malayalam: There are three Ph.D. scholars at the moment;  Dr.P. Geetha and Dr.P. Muraleedhar are the research supervisors
2. Sanskrit: There are three Ph.D. scholars at the moment;  Dr. P.V Ramankutty and Dr.C.M. Neelakantan are the research supervisors.

15. Citation index of faculty members and impact factor:

1. Dept. of Chemistry: 2.014

16. Honors / awards to faculty: NIL
17. Internal sources generated:

18. Details of departments getting SAP, COSIST 9 (ASSIST), DST, FIST, etc.

Department of Chemistry has received FIST fund to the tune of 36 lakhs. Details are given below:

19. Community services:

A. NSS:

a) The Annual Special Camp of the National Service Scheme (NSS) units of the college was held at GMUP School , Vilayoor, from 21 to 28 with the active assistance and cooperation of the local grama panchayat. The camp was officially inaugurated by T.K.Narayanadas, member, Calicut University Syndicate. Sri. C.P.Muhamme M.L.A. visited the camp. Sensitizing local population about health and sanitation along with planting food crops in houses formed the main agenda  of the program. In addition, a check dam, which had been in a sate of dilapidation for some time, was mended. A playground was leveled and made ready to use too. Members of Kudumba Sree units and locals were extremely generous in offering every possible assistance.

b) The N.S.S. is active in helping patients in need of blood and related medical care for local people

B. C.S.S: The Compulsory Social Service is most important in keeping the campus neat and tidy. Students, under the direction of group tutors, undertake activities on a regular basis.

20.              Teachers and officers newly recruited: Appointments are made by the Government of Kerala through the Public Service Commissions. However, two peons were temporarily appointed by the college from a list forwarded by the Employment Exchange and the services of a night watchman was engaged on daily wages basis, as per relevant government rules.

21. Teacher : non-teaching staff ratio     74:38
22. Improvement in library services: The new building for the library was inaugurated; thus the working space has tremendously increased.
23. New books bought, journals subscribed to and cost:

24. Courses in which student assessment of teachers is introduced:

Every student on passing out is given a feedback form. Apart from that, every department finds its own way to assess student reactions.

25. Unit cost of education:  Rs. 26,000/
26. Computerization of administration and the process of admission and examination results issue of certificates:

a)     Registration (matriculation and examination) of first year degree and first semester P.G. was exclusively online and was carried by the computer center with the assistance of staffers and teachers.

b)     Parts of examination works heavily dependent on computer and the internet

c)      Most of the departments carried out admission process using software designed by the college

27. Increase in infrastructural facilities: NIL
28. Technology upgrades:

a)     The Multimedia Center in heading the technological upgrades of the college. The Center is offering technical services viz. internet, printout and photocopy facilities.

b)     The College is about to launch a portal that caters to the academic needs of the society and thus hopes to reach more and more nukes of the society.

c)      The College has applied for the UGC Resource Network Center and has submitted proposals

29. Computer and internet access to teachers and students:

a)     The college provides broadband internet access to teachers and students from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the computer center

b)     Twenty computers are available fro the academic community during working days

c)      Printing and photocopying is also available in the Computer Center for the teachers and students of the college.

30. Financial aid to students:

A. Grants

2. Scholarships

31. Support of alumni association and  activities:

a)     Departments of chemistry and economics held separate alumni meetings while the common alumni association is getting revamped.

32. Support from PTA and activities:

The PTA plays a crucial role in the day-to-day run of the college at various levels.

a)     PTA backs and oversees the functioning of the computer center and the internet club

b)     PTA subsidies printing and photocopy facilities

c)      PTA conducts short term computer courses for students

d)     PTA bears incidental expenses that the college incurs such as travel and emergency hospitalization

33. Health services: The college does not have own health services

34. Performance in sports and games:

Compared to previous years, the college fared very well in sports and games. The college participated in the Intercollegiate Games. The khabadi and basket ball teams became runners up in the University C zone and qualified for the inter-zone.  Mr A.K. Shameer and P. Gireesh represented Palakkad district football team in the Youth Championship. Mr. K. Salavudheen was selected to the Junior District Football team. Mr Mohammed Khalifa was the champion in the Senior District khabadi competition. Mr K.V. Vineeth won the Intercollegiate Gymnastic Floor Exercise competition.

35. Incentives to outstanding sports presence: Such students enjoy reservation in courses and jobs.
36. Student achievement and awards

a)     The following students have secured ranks in the university examinations:

b)     University examination results

 P.G. Classes

U.G. Classes

37. Activities of the guidance and counseling cell:

A.     Counseling Cell: The counseling cell conducted regular sessions for students with emotional troubles, financial constraints and other handicaps in an attempt to streamline and bring them into the mainstream.

38. Placement services provided to students: It is through the Placement Cell that placement services and advice are made available to students. The Cell also takes up soft development skills and basic training programs on interview and group discussion. Mahindra Finance, KG Information Systems, Eureka Forbes, Reliance Communications and ICCI Prudential held campus interviews during the year.
39. Development programs for non-teaching staff:  Two members attended I.M.G. program
40. Best practices of the institution:

1. Student organizations—NSS, NCC and CSS:

i) N.S.S: Please refer to 19.A. Community Services (Page no.  )

     ii)N.C.C.: The College has one company of NCC 160 cadets (107 boys and 53

      girls) with Major Dr. A. Nelson as the NCC officer. During the year, 84 of them

took part in national training, trekking, national integration and regular army

attachment camps in different parts of the country.  Our college got the golden opportunity to host a ten day National Integration Camp in December.  Five of our cadets attended the camp which had an aggregate strength of seven hundred. Three cadets of the unit have got placement in Indian defense forces.

iii) CSS: Please refer to 19 B. Community Services (Page no.  )

2. Multimedia Center:

The Multimedia Center is an independent academic platform that strives to bring about a creative confluence of academic disciplines in the college. Under the joint auspices the of the  Center and the Interdisciplinary Forum, a debate was conducted on the recommendations of the Higher Education Council regarding the plan to introduce credit-and-semester system at the undergraduate level. Seminar on restructuring higher education was held under the joint auspices of the Multimedia Center and the Kerala Higher Education Council. The Center screened  documentaries on genetics, snakes and other phenomena in the year. Under the joint auspices of the Center and the Department of Malaylam, ‘Kumaranellurile Kulangal’, a docufiction on the celebrated writer Sri. M.T. Vasudevan Nair was screened. The postgraduate department of economics and the  Center joined hands to  conduct a power-point presentation on natural calamities. Multimedia Center and the Placement Cell conducted a crash coaching for UGC/NET on  6,7, 13,14, 20 and 21 of  December.  A short term computer course for office staff was offered in two batches.  Three issues of the electronic journal Vijnanacintamani were released during the year. The center in association with the film club of the college made a documentary on the cultural diversity of Kerala in the connection with the ten day NCC National Integration Camp held in the College.  The Center provided technical support for media in the Interzone Art Fete.  Equally prominent was the role the Center played in the online registration of first year students to the University.  The college has designed and maintained the websites of Govt. College, Kalapatta, and the Interzone 09.

41.  Linkages developed with national / international research bodies:

The College has approached ISSM, Kolkata, for the registration of the e-journal and subsequent process in underway. 

42. Any other relevant information:

1. Language Lab: The College has a full fledged language lab with ten computers, listening devices and an LCD projector. It uses E.T.N.L. and has a good number of language learning programs.  Every language department uses the facilities available here.
2. Resource Persons: P.P. Prakashan, lecturer in Malayalam, is member of (a)State Resource Group up to Plus Two (b) Focus Group of Curriculum Formation Committee and (c) State Text Book Committee.  are active resource persons .

Jameel Amamad, lecturer in Malayalam, delivered lectures at the University of Madras as a resource person on emerging trends in Malayalam poetry.

3. Development of software: The College developed and used software for admission and IT calculation.
4. CDC: The College Development Council which comprises elected public representatives, district collector, students and teachers has been in place since 1987. It caters to the infrastructural and academic needs and aspirations of the college by providing financial support.  This year the CDC chipped in a substantial sum for the construction of the new canteen-cum-post office building and undertook other renovation activities.

5. Other clubs and bodies:

    The college has a good number of clubs and forums meant to create overall  growth of the student community:

i) Tourism Club: The tourism club conducted a one-day trip to the environmentally important Nellirmpathy on 21 February and its members have made a documentary on the emerging patterns of Arurveda medical tourism. A student was selected to participate in the state level workshop at Kumarakom in January 2008. Sri. Ajimon George is the convener of the club.

ii)  Women’s Cell: The Women’s Cell has been constituted with a view to address and redress the many issues faced by women in the college. Mrs. P.K. Sainaba, Member, Women’s Commission, formally inaugurated the Cell on 16 February 2009. She presented a paper on women empowerment too. A counseling center has been formed with Dr. P.V. Ashalatha as the chief counselor.

iii) Music Club: The Music Club periodically arranges gathering wherein students get a chance to sing different kinds of songs and hone their skills.  The activities of Club culminated in a function presided over by Sri. Suku Sopananm.

iv) Fine Art Club: The Fine Arts club remained vibrant and vigorous throughout the year, conducting events and more importantly equipping students in participating in the zonal and inter-zonal level competitions.  The fact that the College fared fairly well in the A Zone Art Fete of the University and finished fourth is ample testimony to their work and presence. The college made its presence felt in the interzone through G. Saritha who won third prize in Hindi versification and essay.

v). Film club: The film club of the college—Frames—produced a documentary entitled Vibgyor and screened the same in the ten-day National NCC camp already referred to.  The club, along with the Multimedia Center, arranged a campus film festival as part of the Interzone 09.

VI) Entrepreneurship Development Club:  The ED chalked out plans to nourish entrepreneurial skills in students and to give them better perceptions on evolving business scenario with the assistance of governmental agencies.

PART—C

Plans of the institution for the next year (2009—10).

1. Finalization of campus beautification process
2. Attempts to get INFLIBNET
3. Purchase of books and equipment
4. Repair of buildings
5. Expansion of the Internet Club
6. Print edition of the e-jounral
7. Recognition by the ISSM
8. Training prorams for NET, SET and other competitive examinations
9. Effective utilization of the UGC and other funds
10. Re-accreditation by the NAAC
11. Proposals for Center of Excellence and Heritage College
12. Formation of a Poor Aid Fund
13. Benchmark practices as directed by the NAAC

Funding agencies  

The UGC has allotted Rs. 3,88, 416 in three installments as part of the ongoing XI plan. The procedures to settle the last plan have been completed. The college has received Rs. 8,40,000 as plan fund in the current year and has utilized the amount in full. The postgraduate department of Chemistry has been selected by the Department of Science and Technology for s special aid of Rs, 35 laks  under FIST. Fund utilization is steered  by a committee of teachers and office staff specially formed for the purpose.