KUK Self Study Report Part
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CONTENTS Declaration by the Head of the Institution 1 Statement of Compliance 2 Executive Summary 3-15 Profile of the University 16-29 Criterion-wise Analytical Report 30-158 Criterion I: Curricular Aspects 30-45 Criterion II : Teaching, Learning and Evaluation 46-64 Criterion III : Research, Consultancy and Extension 65-88 Criterion IV : Infrastructure and Learning Resources 89-107 Criterion V: Student Support and Progression 108-126 Criterion VI : Governance, Leadership and Management 127-144 Criterion VII : Innovations and Best Practices 145-158 Action Taken Report on the recommendations of Peer Team 159-163 2008 Core Indicators & Desirable Indicators 164-168 Annexure I 169 Annexure II 170-182 – 2 – – 3 – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The foundation of Kurukshetra University was laid by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, on 11 th January 1957. On that special day etched with history and tradition, Dr. Prasad shared his idea of Kurukshetra University: “This University will draw people to that store of knowledge which lies hidden in Sanskrit and other Indian languages.” The University which started with a focus on Sanskrit and Indic Studies took a big leap forward in 1961 by transforming its initial unitary character into a multi- faculty university. Presently, the University comprises of 10 faculties on the campus with 47 departments and institutes. There are 376 colleges from 9 districts of Haryana affiliated to it. Since its inception the University has pursued excellence in teaching and research. Today, it is widely acknowledged as a premier institution in key areas of higher education like science & technology, humanities, social sciences, commerce and management, law, indological studies, education, fine arts and sports. With a highly qualified and motivated teaching faculty, Kurukshetra University offers students from throughout the country a world-class education by providing learning experience designed to develop intellectual abilities as well as social, moral and ethical values in consonance with the inscription on the University's insignia – ;ksxLFk% dq# dekZf.k – embodying performing actions while steadfasting in state of yoga . The major focus of the University’s goals and objectives is on achieving academic excellence through generation and dissemination of new knowledge without losing sight of the disadvantaged sections of the society. Critical thinking and free exchange of ideas have been identified as key ingredients towards intellectual growth and national development. The campus of the University has often been rated as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. The most remarkable feature of the campus is the seamless interconnection of nature and the built environment. The University has an excellent infrastructure in terms of two national research centres, smart-classrooms, well-equipped modern teaching and research laboratories, central and departmental libraries, administrative blocks, hostels, community centre, auditoria, shopping centres, examination wings, play grounds, swimming pool, gymnasia, health centre, campus school, teaching and non-teaching clubs, canteens etc. The University has earned a name in the areas of teaching, research, co-curricular activities and infrastructure. The nation-wide survey of institutions of higher learning conducted by India Today and Nielson in 2016 has ranked the Department of Fine Arts at 6 th position, Institute of Mass Communication and Media Technology at 8 th position, the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management at 9 th position, the Institute of Law at 19 th and University Institute of Engineering and Technology at 25 th position. In the digital space, the University has emerged as a popular institution of higher learning and has been ranked 29 th by 4icu.org out of 748 institutions of higher – 4 – education. Further, University has been ranked 52 nd out of 4002 institutions by www.webometrics.info , Ranking Web of Universities. A brief account of different criteria follows. Criteria – I Curricular Aspects Keeping in view the importance of curriculum design, its implementation and desired learning outcomes, the University lays a great emphasis on its policies regarding curricular aspects as per regional and national goals, in consonance with the latest international developments in different areas of study. The University offers 175 undergraduate and postgraduate programs including Ph.D. in 47 subjects on the campus. In addition to offering postgraduate and research programs in basic disciplines of arts, science and commerce, it offers professional and specialized programs in the emerging areas like gender equality, population control, social justice, environment protection, etc. New programmes in emerging areas like Defence Studies, Nano Science & Technology, International Hospitality Business Management, Women Studies, Forensic Science, Microelectronics and VLSI design, Printing, Graphics & Packaging, Multimedia, etc. have been added to the list of courses on offer to the learners. Other recently introduced new programmes are M.A. (Applied Yoga & Health), Certificate Course in Sports Dieticians, Certificate Course in Gym & Aerobic Instructor, Certificate Course in Panchayati Raj in Rural Development & Certificate Course in Bhagavadagita. A directed thrust is visible in course curricula on issues like nationalism, peace and harmony, gender equality, social justice, environmental protection, etc. so that the students passing out of the university may assume the role of engines of growth for national development while pursuing the careers of their choice. Keeping pace with the changing times, in the year 2016, Kurukshetra University has undertaken a comprehensive exercise of curricular reforms and has implemented Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in all UGC approved post-graduate courses being offered by the Departments and Institutes on the campus. This exercise has resulted in upgradation of the structure of the course curricula to match with global standards and will allow flexibility of learning to the students, enabling them to pursue studies in the subjects of their choice. Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), the nodal body on the campus, is instrumental in recommending measures for quality sustenance and enhancement. Review of course curricula is normally undertaken on a regular basis in order to keep pace with the enormous growth and advancements in respective disciplines. While revising or modifying the curricula, proper care is taken to retain important knowledge traits while removing the redundancies in order to meet the emerging needs of the students and other stakeholders within the guidelines of the regulatory bodies. More than 69% of the programmes follow semester system of examination. These measures coupled with the system of continuous – 5 – evaluation by way of sessional tests, seminars, viva-voce in practicals, summer training, internship, etc. help in strengthening teaching-learning process. Earnest efforts are made on inculcating innovative traits in students by providing them opportunities to interact with leading luminaries in different fields through conferences, symposia, seminars, expert lectures, etc. Criteria – II Teaching-Learning and Evaluation The University has been following, in letter and spirit, all government schemes to ensure inclusive and holistic growth of students. With its courses quite high on demand, 9960 students drawn from diverse backgrounds are being imparted world-class education on the campus by a dedicated team of 333 highly qualified and motivated teachers. Admissions to various courses offered on the campus are made strictly as per merit, in a very transparent manner, abiding by the University/ State Government rules. Reservation policy of the State is also implemented holistically. The traditional pedagogy of lecturing is richly supplemented with project work, field visits, case studies, experiments, computer simulations, role playing, workshops and other such means. Taking full advantage of the advances in Information Communication Technology (ICT), the conventional teaching-learning methods are judicially supplemented with the ICT gadgets and blended learning practices by using e-learning resources available through the UGC-INFONET and M-tutor e-tutorials. The faculty members of science departments make use of virtual laboratories such as Electronic Workbench, Matlab, Simulink, Lab VIEW, etc. to demonstrate to students the simulation of many course-specific complex concepts. Access to e-resources through the high speed campus-wide LAN and Wi-Fi networks has transformed the campus into 24x7 learning place. The faculty members are encouraged by the University to enhance their academic and research capabilities by facilitating them to avail visiting professorships, post-doctoral research and faculty exchange/development programmes, and to attend national/ international conferences/ workshops, etc. As a unique initiative, the University also provides a start-up research grant from its own resources to the newly appointed faculty members in the form of minor research projects, thus helping them to have basic facilities necessary to embark upon more comprehensive research programmes. The University has remained vigilant and open to the newer technological developments related to various aspects of teaching, learning, and evaluation. During the last five years, the university has invested generously to ensure that each department has smart class rooms and at least one well-equipped