Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Deemed to Be University
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Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Deemed to be University Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) 2018-2019 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research AQAR 2018-19 Part A 1 Name of the Institution Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Name of the Head of the institution Prof. Sandip Trivedi Designation Director Does the institution function from own campus Yes Phone no./Alternate phone no. 2222782306 Mobile No 9892105000 Registered Email [email protected] Alternate Email [email protected] Address 1, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Navy Nagar, Colaba, City Mumbai State Maharashtra Pin Code 400005 2 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research AQAR 2018-19 2 Institutional status University Deemed Type of Institution Co-education Location Urban Financial Status Centrally Funded Name of the IQAC Coordinator Prof. Amol Dighe Phone no. / Alternate No. 2222782432 Mobile 9967396593 IQAC email address [email protected] Alternate email address [email protected] 3 Website address Weblink of the AQAR: (Previous year) https://www.tifr.res.in/NAAC/tifrSSR.pdf 4 Whether Academic Calendar prepared during the year? Yes If yes, whether it is uploaded in the Institutional website Yes https://www.tifr.res.in/~sbp/new2015/Academic_Calendar_2018.pdf 5 Accreditation Details Cycle Grade CGPA Year of Accreditation Validity Period 1st A+ 3.68 2016 02 Dec 2016 to 01 Dec 2021 3 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research AQAR 2018-19 6 Date of Establishment of IQAC 15 Feb 2016 7 Internal Quality Assurance System 7.1 Quality initiatives by IQAC during the year for promoting quality culture Item /Title of the quality initiative by IQAC Date & Duration Number of participants/beneficiaries TIFR was included in the 12B list of UGC. Honoraria for the thesis examiners were revised from Rs.5000 to Rs.10000 (for Ph.D. thesis). Honoraria for viva- voce and M.Sc. theses were also correspondingly revised upwards, starting October 2018. The nationwide written entrance test of TIFR, GS2019, was made computer-based this year. It was conducted with the help of Tata Consulting Services in all the Centres (more than 30). It is planned to continue with the computer- based tests even in the future. The “University Rules and Procedures” document was updated. In the Main Campus, arrangements were made to provide on-campus accommodation to all incoming Ph.D. students. With timely room-transfers of students (and more students completing their PhDs on time), this may be made a regular feature. In the Main Campus, the Sarojini Damodaran Fellowships for the travel of students abroad for collaborations and conferences, as well as for inviting eminent visitors to TIFR, has been established. The online module for Visiting Students Research Programme selections has now been developed in-house in TIFR Colaba and will be used for the 2019 VSRP program. Earlier, software developed by an external agency was being used. The Subject Board for Mathematics changed their admission procedures for their Main Campus operations, eliminating the interviews, but having a written test (long answers) which will help judge the mathematical skills of the students in a more reliable way. The Subject Board for Physics also implemented a second written test with long 4 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research AQAR 2018-19 answers, and only interview students selected through it for the admissions to the Physics programmes at the Main Campus. Year-long programmes, bringing external experts to educate all campus members (faculty, students, staff) on sexual harassment laws and procedures, have been started in NCBS Bengaluru. An online alumni portal has been launched in NCBS Bengaluru to facilitate interactions with alumni and to initiate activities in alumni groups around the world. Some formal mechanisms to improve writing was put in place for the students from the NCBS, Bengaluru. There were multiple faculty-taught courses on scientific writing, and there was a tie-up with Cactus Communications for thesis editing services. International travel awards for students from NCBS, Bengaluru was instituted by raising funds from philanthropic sources. Computerization of University Cell procedures is being carried out in steps. Synopsis reports and course feedback forms are now already computerized for some Subject Boards, the same will be done for the forms for Registration, thesis submission, etc. To make it easier for the women candidates to come to TIFR Main Campus to give admission interviews, it has been planned to provide accommodation for unaccompanied women interview candidates for Physics, Maths, and C&SS, where the number of such candidates is generally low. TIFR Physics Graduate School will complete 50 years in 2019. Iw was decided to organize an event celebrating the 50 years of Graduate School (GS50), and showcasing its achievements so far, is being organized. This will be a two-day meeting at the beginning of Nov 2019. Regular student exchanges with Australian National University, Canberra, Australia and Wesleyan University, Connecticut, USA TIFR-HBNI MOU was renewed paving way for common courses between two deemed to be universities. 8 Provide the list of special status conferred by Central / State Govt NA 9 Whether the composition of IQAC as per latest NAAC guidelines: Yes 10 No. of IQAC meetings held during the year One 15 Feb 2019 5 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research AQAR 2018-19 11 Whether IQAC received funding from any of the agency to support its No activities during the year? 12 Significant contributions made by IQAC during the current year (Max five bullets) TIFR was included in the 12B list of UGC. The nationwide written entrance test of TIFR, GS2019, was made computer-based this year. It was conducted with the help of Tata Consulting Services in all the Centres (more than 30), and the experience was very positive for all the Subject Boards involved (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, C&SS). It is planned to continue with the computer-based tests even in the future. The online module for Visiting Students Research Programme (VSRP) which is conducted in summer, for selections, has now been developed in-house in TIFR Colaba and will be used for the 2019 VSRP program. Earlier, software developed by an external agency was being used. Funds were raised for travel expenses of students from external philanthropic sources for example the Sarojini Damodaran Fellowships for the travel of students abroad for collaborations and conferences, as well as for inviting eminent visitors to TIFR. 13 Plan of action chalked out by the IQAC in the beginning of the Academic year towards Quality Enhancement and the outcome achieved by the end of the Academic year Plan of Action Achievements / Outcomes Revision of honoraria for the thesis examiners. Honoraria for the thesis examiners were revised from Rs.5000 to Rs.10000 (for Ph.D. thesis). Honoraria for viva- voce and M.Sc. theses were also correspondingly revised upwards, starting October 2018. Converting the paper-based written entrance test for The nationwide written entrance test of TIFR, GS2019, was the Graduate school admissions to online mode. made computer-based this year. It was conducted with the help of Tata Consulting Services in all the Centres (more 6 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research AQAR 2018-19 than 30) and it is planned to continue with the computer- based tests even in the future. Updation of University Rules and Procedures The "University Rules and Procedures" document was updated. In the Main Campus, to make on-campus In the Main Campus, arrangements were made to provide accommodation available to all incoming students on-campus accommodation to all incoming Ph.D. students. With timely room-transfers of students (and more students completing their PhDs on time), this may be made a regular feature. To raise funds for travel expenses of students from "Funds were raised for travel expenses of students from external philanthropic sources. external philanthropic sources for example the Sarojini Damodaran Fellowships for the travel of students abroad for collaborations and conferences, as well as for inviting eminent visitors to TIFR. To make Visiting Students Research Programme The online module for Visiting Students Research selection online. Programme (VSRP) selections has now been developed in- house in the Main Campus and will be used for the 2019 VSRP program. Earlier, software developed by an external agency was being used. To computerize the University Cell Procedures Computerization of University Cell procedures is being carried out in steps. Synopsis reports and course feedback forms are now already computerized for some Subject Boards, the same will be done for the forms for Registration, thesis submission, etc. 7 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research AQAR 2018-19 To renew the TIFR-HBNI MOU TIFR-HBNI MOU was renewed paving way for common courses between two deemed to be universities. 14 Whether the AQAR was placed before statutory body? Yes Name of the Body: Institute Academic Council Date: 30 Sep 2020 15 Whether NAAC/or any other accredited body(s) visited IQAC or interacted with it to Assess the functioning? No 16 Whether institutional data submitted to AISHE? Yes 28 Feb 2019 17 Does the Institution have a Management Information System? Yes If yes, give a brief description and a list of modules currently operational (Max 500 words) Datanet is the pan-TIFR Management Information Systems, which is TIFR’s Integrated Information System (TIIS) for accounting, budgeting, procurement, material receipts, and inventory. Another module 'MANCH' is used for sharing minutes of meeting and wider consultation among the faculty members. Additionally, individual centers have developed independent local modules to cater to their needs. [NCRA] PACTS Module at NCRA has been modified to include the online APAR tracking for all staff members. [ICTS:] ICTS One account: It is an LDAP based user account. LDAP is the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol that includes Intranet, Internet through mac address registration (at ICTS), HPC cluster access, Private cloud storage, Gitlab Access, Eduroam wireless, VPN (Virtual private network), etc.