Self Study Report Part-II : Criteria-wise Inputs C O N T E N T S Sr. No. Name of the Criterion Page Nos I Curricular Aspects 01 – 24 II Teaching, Learning and Evaluation 25 – 55 III Research, Consultancy and Extension 56 – 107 IV Infrastructure and Learning Resources 108 – 141 V Student Support and Progression 142 – 184 VI Governance, Leadership and Management 185 – 220 VII Innovations and Best Practices 221 – 239 Declaration by the Head of the University - NAAC : Self Study Report – Part-II 2014 CRITERION I : CURRICULAR ASPECTS 1.1 Curriculum Design and Development: 1.1.1 How is the institutional vision and mission reflected in the academic programmes of the university? The vision and mission of the University are reflected in all the academic and community outreach programmes. Within a span of 24 years of its existence, the University has adhered to its vision and mission consistently to become a leading center of higher education in the Khandesh region. The academic bodies of the University, such as – Academic Committees of Schools, Board of Studies (BOS), Faculties, Board of Colleges and University Development (BCUD), Research and Recognition Committee (RRC), Board of University Teachers Recognition (BUTR), Academic Council and Senate, while undertaking issues related to the introduction of new academic programmes or upgradation of existing curricula, ensure that they are in tune with the vision and mission of the University. Accordingly, the University offers a wide range of following programmes – U.G. Programmes P.G. Programmes Ph.D. Programmes University Main University University Campus Campus Campus 11 62 37 Affiliated Affiliated University as a Colleges Colleges whole 61 70 46 Besides these academic programmes, due emphasis is given to the holistic development of the students through co-curricular, extra-curricular and extension programmes. By developing region specific and need based technical know-how for agriculture /industrial sector through ‘Lab to Land’ and ‘Lab to Industry’ Programmes initiated by the University. The University has developed a Mobile Science Exhibition Unit (Van) for visiting remote, rural and tribal areas as well as other universities for popularization of science amongst the students as well as the common man including farmers. Values of humanism are instilled in our students through specialized programmes of Gandhi Research Foundation, Sane Guruji Sanskar Kendra, Chhatrapati Shivaji Adhyasan, Department of Dr. Ambedkar Thoughts and School of Thoughts. 1.1.2 Does the university follow a systematic process in the design and development of the curriculum? If yes, give details of the process (need assessment, feedback, etc.). North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon 1 NAAC : Self Study Report – Part-II 2014 Yes, the university follows a systematic process in designing and development of the curriculum as given below: Needs assessment: The process of needs assessment for designing and development of the curriculum is generally informal. The various steps adopted by the University in understanding the needs assessment for the curriculum development includes - Due considerations are given to the suggestion of the Academic Bodies regarding needs/requirements at local, regional, state, national and global level. Since 2009, the adoption of academic flexibility by the Schools/Institute has ensured involvement of expertise, continuous upgradation and need based curriculum design. For the first time in the field of higher education, our University has taken an initiative to formulate a Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) under ‘Think Tank’ theme which includes invited academia as well as the representatives from the industries for innovation and new interventions to be implemented through healthy interactions. The suggestions of this committee on the academic programmes are given due weightage while restructuring the curricula. The model syllabi designed by UGC/AICTE/ NCTE/ICAR/BCI/PCI/INC are also given due weightage while developing/restructuring the curricula of UG and PG Programmes. The opinions/suggestions received from renowned academia, industrialists and scientists through their formal/informal interactions with faculty members in the seminars/ conferences/workshops on the curricula are taken into consideration while restructuring the curricula. The needs/requirements of stakeholders such as – students, parents and alumni for curriculum upgradation and design are considered. Feedback: Feedback on the existing curricula is regularly obtained formally/informally from the stakeholders such as – teachers, academia, industry personnels, students, parents and alumni. The University has already developed and implemented students feedback system on various issues related to curriculum, teaching and learning. The feedback on the curriculum is placed in the academic committee meetings of the Schools/Institute for discussion. The Alumni Association/Meet provides a platform for interactions and discussions about the changes to be brought in the existing curricula. Teachers both from Schools/Institute of the University and affiliated colleges give feedback on various aspects of syllabi and evaluation process through regularly organized subject workshops. Subject Associations also meet regularly wherein the feedback on the existing syllabus is obtained. The information/feedback is obtained from the industry personnels during their visit to the University Schools/Institute for conducting campus interviews. The Head of the Department being the Chairman/member of Board of Studies, initiates the necessary steps for accommodating the relevant feedback. Process: The Board of Studies in the respective subjects of the faculties formulate the different sub-committees to prepare the preliminary draft of the curricula by considering the inputs of needs assessment and feedback processes. The preliminary draft of curricula are then placed in the meetings of respective Board of Studies (BoS) for further discussions and modifications. The BoS organizes workshops, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon 2 NAAC : Self Study Report – Part-II 2014 wherein the members of BoS and concerned subject teachers from affiliated colleges are invited to share their views about the modifications to be incorporated in the curricula. The curriculum finalized by the respective BoS is placed before the concerned Faculty for approval. The Faculty either approves or refers it back to respective BoS for making suggested changes and to reconsider it again in the next meeting. After approval by the Faculty, the curriculum is then placed before the Academic Council for final approval. The Academic Council either approves or refers it back to the concerned faculty, along with suggestions, if any and is reconsidered in the next meeting of the council. The approved curriculum is displayed on the University Website for information to all stakeholers. The process of design and development of curriculum is shown in the following Exhibit-1. 1.1.3 How are the following aspects ensured through curriculum design and development? a) Employability Employability is ensured through curriculum designing and development as given below: Majority of the courses offered by the University are innovative, applied and need based. The statutory academic bodies of the University always take into consideration the requirements of International/National and local employment market while developing curriculum without compromising on the basic requirements of the concerned discipline and core values. The University has included project course/industrial projects/study tours in majority of UG and PG programmes, which help to inculcate independent thinking, scientific attitude and analytical abilities among the students, thereby promoting employment. The professional academic programmes ensure inclusion of courses on Soft Skills, Communication Skills, Entreprenuership Skills, Interpersonal Skills; Psycho-Social Dimensions useful for industries, research institutions and agricultural sectors. The University takes special care to incorporate the contents of NET/SET/GATE syllabi while developing or restructuring the existing curricula. Besides this, the University conducts NET/SET coaching classes through the UGC’s Coaching Scheme for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and Minorities. The University has established a Central Training and Placement Cell (CTPC) which aims at providing an interface between the young UG/PG, Ph.D. students looking for placement and the corporates seeking to recruit the talent. The University aspires to create an interface between the industry and the University where not only the employability but the industries needs through curriculum design and academic research are being taken care of. b) Innovation: The University is committed to make higher education accessible to the youths in the jurisdiction of University, who largely come from the rural and tribal background. To realize these commitments, the University has been innovative in approach since its inception. The noteworthy innovative practices adopted by the University during last 5 years are as follows: North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon 3 NAAC : Self Study Report – Part-II 2014 Exhibit I-1 : Curriculum Design and Development Scientific Advisory Committee under Think Tank Theme Guidelines and Model Teachers Syllabi of the Curriculum Design Emerging Trends, formal and Regulatory Bodies informal interactions with academia/ like - UGC/AICTE/NCTE/ Assessment and Development