FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE DEEMED UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY ACCREDITATION SELF-STUDY REPORT Submitted to : NATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION COUNCIL P.O. Box No. 1075, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore – 560072 CONTENTS PREFACE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CRITERION I 1. CURRICULAR ASPECTS 1.1 CURRICULUM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT 1.2 ACADEMIC FLEXIBILITY 1.3 FEEDBACK ON CURRICULUM 1.4 CURRICULUM UPDATE 1.5 BEST PRACTICES IN CURRICULAR ASPECTS CRITERION II 2. TEACHING-LEARNING AND EVALUATION 2.1 ADMISSION PROCESS AND STUDENT PROFILE 2.2 CATERING TO DIVERSE NEEDS 2.3 TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESS 2.4 TEACHER QUALITY 2.5 EVALUATION PROCESS AND REFORMS 2.6 BEST PRACTICES IN TEACHING-LEARNING AND EVALUATION CRITERION III 3. RESEARCH, CONSULTANCY AND EXTENSION 3.1 PROMOTION OF RESEARCH 3.2 RESEARCH & PUBLICATION OUTPUT 3.3 CONSULTANCY 3.4 EXTENSION ACTIVITIES 3.5 COLLABORATIONS 3.6 BEST PRACTICES IN RESEARCH, CONSULTANCY AND EXTENSION CRITERION IV 4. INFRASTRUCTURE AND LEARNING RESOURCES 4.1 PHYSICAL FACILITIES 4.2 MAINTANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE 4.3 LIBRARY AS LEARNING RESOURCE 4.4 ICT AS LEARNING RESOURCES 4.5 OTHER FACILITIES 4.6 BEST PRACTICES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTUCTURE AND LEARNING RESOURCES CRITERION V 5. STUDENT SUPPORT AND PROGRESSION 5.1 STUDENT PROGRESSION 5.2 STUDENT SUPPORT 5.3 STUDENT ACTIVITIES 5.4 BEST PRACTICES IN STUDENT SUPPORT AND PROGRESSION CRITERION VI 6. GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP 6.1 INSTITUTIONAL VISION AND LEADERSHIP 6.2 ORGANIZATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 6.3 STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT 6.4 HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 6.5 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 6.6 BEST PRACTICES IN GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP CRITERION VII 7. INNOVATIVE PRACTICES 7.1 INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM 7.2 INCLUSIVE PRACTICES 7.3 STAKEHOLDERS RELATIONSHIPS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • The Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development declared Forest Research Institute as Deemed to be University vide verification No. F.9-25/89-U.3 dated 6th December, 1991 under section 3 of the UGC Act 1956. • The Forest Research Institute is one of the Institutes under Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education which is an autonomous Council of Govt. of India, under Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change . • Following are the objectives of the FRI Deemed University as laid down : Objectives i) To impart education in such branches of forestry and environment as it may deem fit. ii) To provide for research and for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in forestry and environment. The disciplines pursed in the Institute are Silviculture, Resource Survey and Management, Social Forestry, Minor Forest Produce, Ecology and conversation, Genetics and tree propagation, Forest protection, Forest Botany, Forest Products and Forest operations. The thrust areas are bio-diversity, tree improvement & quality seed production, non-wood forest products, Chemistry of Forest Products, Social Forestry & Wasteland Afforestation, design development of modern forestry tools, etc. iii) To create awareness about forest and environment among the people. iv) To carry out such other acts and things as may be necessary or desirable to further the safeguarding of environment and protection of forest and wildlife. Mission and vision of the FRI Deemed University : To generate, preserve, disseminate and advance knowledge, technologies and solutions for addressing issues related to forests and promote linkages arising out of interactions between people, forests and environment on a sustained basis through research, education and extension. • Thrust area of the FRI Deemed University- Forestry, Environment & Wildlife . • The University has a reputation of being extremely circumspect to the developments in the rapidly changing society and environment. Therefore, to develop a knowledge society and deep understanding of topics and individual knowledge management skills, continuous review of the syllabi and curriculum of different courses are being done. Emphasis is also being given on new information and communication technologies. • Subject material has been made applied and skill oriented with the inclusion of latest techniques, industrial visits, field studies/surveys, term papers, dissertations etc. Skills developed in such a way are very helpful in addressing the current environmental issues. • Computer/information technology component is the integral part of the curriculum of the courses like Forestry, Environment Management, Wood Science and Technology and Cellulose and Paper Technology. 1 • The following courses were introduced after declaration as Deemed to be University and courses intake has been increased: Name of Programme Year of Starting No. of Seats 1. M.Sc. Forestry (1996) 38 2. M.Sc. Wood Science and Technology (1996) 38 3. M.Sc. Environment Management (2000) 38 4. M.Sc. Cellulose and Paper technology (2011) 20 Quality Policy Forest Research Institute, Dehradun is d edicated to carry out multi disciplinary forestry R & D, Education and Extension aimed at creation and dissemination of scientific knowledge for sustainable development, management, conservation and utilization of forest resources and environment management. The Institute is committed to achieve continual improvement through the following objectives: • Generation and dissemination of knowledge for conservation, development and sustainable management of forest resources and environmental protection. • Customer satisfaction through timely delivery of quality products and services. • Human resources development through quality education and training. Authorities, Administration and Research Units • The Board of Management is the principal executive body of the University and has the powers to take all necessary decision for the smooth and efficient functioning of the University. • The Academic Council shall be the principal academic body of the University and shall subject to the provisions to the Memorandum of Association and the Rules and Bye-Laws shall have the control over and be responsible for the maintenance of standards of education, teaching and training, inter departmental co-ordination, research, examinations and tests with in the Institute and shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be imposed or conferred upon it by the Rules and Bye-Laws. • The Deemed to be University conducts entrance test for M.Sc. programme regularly in the month of May. The multiple choices test is conducted in 12 centres across India. The centres are Bangalore, Jodhpur, Chandigarh, Jorhat, Coimbatore, Kolkata, Lucknow, Dehradun, Ranchi, Delhi, Shimla, Jabalpur. The students are selected on the basis of the above entrance test. Results are also being posted on website. From the year 2013-2015 online entrance exam were be conducted for admitting students in M.Sc. programme but in the year 2016 again off-line entrance exam was held. • University has implemented 2009 Ph.D. Regulation act of the UGC and admitting Ph.D. scholars after all India Entrance examination and interviews. Six months pre-Ph.D. programme is also organised for them which is the requirement of UGC. The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Forestry by Forest Research Institute Deemed University is awarded to those fulfilling the conditions as laid down in the ordinance. Till date 782 candidates have been awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 2 • The following are the recognized Research Centres/Research Units of FRI Deemed University: 1. Indian Institute of Forest Management, Nehru Nager, P.O. 357, Bhopal, M.P.- 462 003 2. Tropical Forest Research Institute, P.O. R.F.R.C., Jabalpur-482 021 3. Arid Forest Research Institute, P.O. Krishi Manhi, New Pali Road, Jodhpur – 342 005 4. Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Pathaghati, Shimla – 171 009 5. Institute of Wood Science & Technology, P.O. Malleswaram, Bangalore – 560 022 6. Institute of Rain & Moist Deciduous Forest Research, Jorhat, Assam 7. Institute of Forest Genetics & Tree Breeding, Coimbatore - 641 002 8. Institute of Forest Productivity, ‘Aranyodaya’, Ranchi-Gumla, N.H.- 23, Lalgutwa, Jharkhand, Ranchi – 834 002. 9. Forest Research Institute, P.O. New Forest, Dehradun- 248 006 10. Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi-680 653, Thrissur Distt., Kerala 11. Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun – 248 001 12. Indian Plywood Industries Research & Training, P.O.: 2273, Tumkur Road, Bangalore – 560 022 13. Forest Survey of India, P.O.: I.P.E., Kaulagarh Road, Dehra Dun – 248 195 14. UP Forest Research Institute, Kanpur – 24 15. Indian Institute of Remote sensing, (NRSA), 4th, Kalidas Road, Dehra Dun 16. G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Distt. Almora – 263 643 17. Central Pulp & Paper Research Institute, Saharanpur 18. Institute of Forest Biodiversity, P.B. No . 2129, Dulapally, Kompally, Hyderabad • All the class-rooms are having audio-visual gadgets for enhancing the quality of learning. • The University has a regular Academic Calendar which ensures timely conduct of semester examinations and continuous monitoring and evaluation of learning progress. • The University is fully residential and has separate hostels for boys and girls in the campus. Facilities like internet, common room, television, gym, indoor and outdoor games are available to the students. • The FRI houses National Forest Library and Information Centre which is one of the largest depositories of books and journals in the field of forestry and environment of the country. • The University