OF NAAC CYCLE-I ACCREDITATION (2006): “B++” GRADE (CGPA: 2.60) Submitted to National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) An Autonomous Institution of the University Grants Commission P.O. Box No 1075 Nagarbhavi Bangalore-560072 India BNC SSR 2016 CONTENT CONTENTS Pages Preface i-ii Executive Summary 1-12 SWOC Analysis 13-16 Profile of the College 17-28 CRITERION-WISE INPUTS • Criterion I : Curricular Aspects 29-38 • Criterion II : Teaching-Learning and Evaluation 39-64 • Criterion III : Research, Consultancy and Extension 65-102 • Criterion IV : Infrastructure and Learning Resources 103-125 • Criterion V : Student Support and Progression 126-162 • Criterion VI : Governance, Leadership & Management 163-191 • Criterion VII : Innovations and Best Practices 192-198 Profile of Officer-in-Charge 199-203 EVALUATIVE REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENTS SCIENCE • Department of Anthropology 204-211 • Department of Botany 212-221 • Department of Chemistry 222-232 • Department of Economics 233-239 • Department of Geography 240-247 • Department of Mathematics 248-256 • Department of Microbiology 257-267 • Department of Physics 268-275 • Department of Statistics 276-283 • Department of Zoology 284-294 ARTS Department of Bengali 295-303 Department of Education 304-313 Department of English 314-321 Department of History 322-328 Department of Philosophy 329-335 Department of Political Science 336-342 Post Accreditation Initiatives 343-349 Annexure -1 a) Department Wise Publication 350-384 Annexure -2 a) Affiliation – Section 12 (B) 385 b) Affiliation – Section 2 (F) 386 c) Certificate of Accreditation of Cycle -1 (2006) 387 Certificate of Declaration 388 BNC SSR 2016 PREFACE PREFACE Bidhannagar College, a well-known co-educational institution, has the rare distinction of offering quality education to students from Kolkata as well as the suburbs, owing to its location on the fringes of the city. Since its inception thirty years ago, on a modest scale with a handful of teachers and a few departments, it has now developed into one of the premier government colleges in the state with sixteen undergraduate and three post-graduate departments. The college is awaiting its second accreditation by the NAAC, after the first accreditation in 2006. The college has made remarkable strides since then. It has been granted financial support by the Department of Science and Technology on the recommendations of the FIST Advisory Board (FISTAB) which includes funds for equipment for teaching and research in the science department, a computer laboratory, books and an e-learning room. Computer training, ‗Basic Computer Course‘, conducted by NIELT (National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology), under the Ministry of Communications and IT, Government of India, is offered to students of the first year. Besides this, the college also offers NET-SET Training programme in Life Science/Arts, funded by the UGC. The college has a number of student-aid programmes to help needy students, such as Merit cum Mean scholarship, Inspire, SC/ST Scholarship and scholarship for Minority students. Since the last accreditation, three new undergraduate departments (Anthropology, Education, Geography) and a postgraduate section in chemistry have been set up. Bidhannagar College celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2009 with great fanfare, including academic as well as cultural programmes. A commemoration volume was brought out on the occasion with contributions from eminent personalities, teachers, staff and students. Bidhannagar College has expanded greatly in the last few years. A new six-storey building has been constructed with a plan for setting up and functioning of the Principal with his Office, the different Humanities Departments and other purpose. Besides this, a canteen cum Cafeteria has been constructed which is of great use to students, teachers and office-staff. The huge play- ground is well-maintained and provisions for indoor games and a multi-facilitate gym have also been made. The beautiful garden and the newly set-up gymnasium are matters of pride for the college. In fact, Bidhannagar College is quite famous for its greens and variety of trees. The peaceful and pleasing atmosphere of the college owes much to the beneficial presence of Nature all around. The cheerful atmosphere of the college is greatly conducive towards building a healthy, student- teacher relationship. The quiet surroundings help in improving the quality of teaching and research. Teachers of Bidhannagar College are deeply committed to their academic responsibilities. Apart from routine classes, special classes are held for weaker students. Students record is actively maintained in the college. Students are encouraged to develop an original, critical approach towards their studies. Being an exclusively Honours and post-graduate teaching college, the standard of education is naturally of a high order. Teachers are actively involved in research activities and have a number of ongoing research projects, sponsored by the i BNC SSR 2016 PREFACE UGC, DST West Bengal, MOFPI and other agencies also. The college takes pride in the number of prestigious publications by its teachers. A number of UGC-sponsored seminars have been held in recent times, with eminent speakers from different parts of the country. Besides, lectures by teachers of the college to encourage inter-disciplinary trends of thinking are regularly organized. For example, a lecture on Higgs- Boson theory was arranged by the Department of Physics which was attended by students and teachers of different departments, as it was of absolutely current interest. Student seminars are organized by different departments to motivate students in independent thinking. Apart from routine excursions organized by Science departments, extension activities and educational tours are undertaken for providing valuable exposure and experience to students of the college. The career-counseling cell of the college works actively towards providing guidelines for career choices as well as job opportunities. Various cultural programmes are held throughout the year to celebrate occasions such Independence Day, Rabindra Jayanti, Republic Day, Environment Day, Bhasha Dibas and so on. Students are encouraged to participate actively in these programmes for the development of cultural and patriotic values. The Students‘ Union organizes an annual fest, ‗Dhun‘, and the Freshers Programme ‗Alaap‖ which is extremely popular. Different schemes to ensure mental and physical health are undertaken by the college. The NSS (National Service Scheme) unit of the college is actively engaged in various awareness programmes. The college takes pride that the Anti-Ragging Cell, has not received any cases so far. Also, the Women‘s Grievance cell (in match Visakha Guidelines) in the past has not received any complaint from students or members of the staff. The process of formation of Internal Complaints Committee is on and it is to be operative any time now or then. The newly shifted college library in the New Administrative Building has a rich collection of the latest, advanced reference books as well classic texts and basic books. The library has started digitization of its catalogue to facilitate users. Bidhannagar College strives at every level to provide the best all-round education to its students. The aim is to nurture young minds so that they graduate into responsible citizens who succeed individually, as well as care for collective improvement in society. While academic training is the fundamental aim of the college, there is as much emphasis on character-building and cultivation of values. The college is proud of its former students who have achieved great success in different academic and cultural fields, and nourishes the hope that present students will continue with the rich legacy, paving the way for a bright and glorious future for Bidhannagar College. ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BNC SSR 2016 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CRITERION -1: CURRICULAR ASPECTS 1. Curriculum Planning and Implementation a) The college has its goal in imparting all-round education to its students. And the students are inspired to work for the betterment of society along with developing their individual talents and learning the right values. The teachers and the non-teaching employees actively extend their co-operation in this regard. b) The institution follows the curriculum set by its affiliating university (West Bengal State University) in all its undergraduate courses. A number of teachers as members of the Board of Studies of different subjects in the University actively contribute to the curriculum formation in Undergraduate level. The Postgraduate departments on the other hand are autonomous in status and their curriculum is set by the Post Graduate Board of Studies of respective Departments. c) The stated objectives of the curriculum are implemented through class teaching and regular assessment of students‘ activities 2. Academic Flexibility a) The Institution has its focus on holistic development of pupil providing complementary programmes related to computer literacy and Social Service activities related to NSS, Sports and Culture related programmes. b) The college is a Honours College offers 16 Undergraduate Honours programmes and 3 Post Graduate degree programmes. The UG programmes are affiliated to West Bengal State University and follow their curriculum while the PG programmesare academically autonomous. 3. Curriculum Enrichment a) In context of the cross-cutting issues the measures