SELF-STUDY REPORT (FOR RE-ACCREDITATION) VOLUME – I (Preface, Executive Summary, Profile of the University and Criteria-Wise Analytical Report) Submitted by: Nirma University Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Ahmedabad- 382 481 Web Site: www.nirmauni.ac.in Submitted to Director National Assessment and Accreditation Council P. O. Box No. 1075, Nagarbhavi Bangalore -560072, Karnataka, India April 2015 SELF-STUDY REPORT (FOR RE-ACCREDITATION) VOLUME – I (Preface, Executive Summary, Profile of the University and Criteria-Wise Analytical Report) Submitted by: Nirma University Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Ahmedabad- 382 481 Web Site: www.nirmauni.ac.in Submitted to: Director National Assessment and Accreditation Council P. O. Box No. 1075, Nagarbhavi Bangalore -560 072, Karnataka, India April 2015 Self-Study Report: Nirma University 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME – I A Preface from Director General 01-02 Executive Summary 03-24 B Action Taken Report on the Observations made by the NAAC Peer 25-39 Team Profile of the University 40-50 ANNEXURE-I: Copy of the UGC 2(f) Recognition Certificate 51 ANNEXURE-II: Copy of the Recommendation from the UGC for 52 granting the status of 2(f) and the Action Taken Report ANNEXURE-III: Copy of the Notification from the Pharmacy 53-54 Council of India for the Recognition of Institute of Pharmacy Programmes C ANNEXURE-IV: Copy of the Notification from the Bar Council of 55-56 India for the Recognition of Institute of Law Programmes ANNEXURE-V: Copy of the Notification from the Council of 57-59 Architecture for the Recognition of Institute of Architecture Programme ANNEXURE-VI: UGC Inspection Report 60-69 ANNEXURE-VII: Compliance Report Submitted by the University 70 ANNEXURE-VIII: Copy of the NAAC Accreditation Certificate 71-72 Self-Study Report: Nirma University 2015 ANNEXURE-IX: Copy of the NAAC Peer Team Report of First 73-80 Accreditation Cycle Criteria-Wise Analytical Report 81-238 Criterion – I: Curriculum Aspects 81-95 Criterion – II: Teaching, Learning and Evaluation 96-124 Criterion – III: Research, Consultancy and Extension 125-156 D Criterion – IV: Infrastructure and Learning Resources 157-176 Criterion – V: Student Support and Progression 177-197 Criterion – VI: Governance and Leadership 198-230 Criterion – VII: Innovation and Best Practices 231-238 VOLUME – II Self-Evaluative Reports of the Constituent Institutes 239-388 Institute of Technology (IT-NU) 239-288 Institute of Management (IM-NU) 289-310 Institute of Pharmacy (IP-NU) 311-338 E Institute of Science (IS-NU) 339-354 Institute of Law (IL-NU) 355-375 Institute of Architecture (IA-NU) 376-386 Annexure:A –Nirma University Code of Ethics for Research (CER) 387-388 Declarations from the Head of the University 389-390 Self-Study Report: Nirma University 2015 PREFACE Nirma University, the first private state university of Gujarat and promoted by legendary industrialist and philanthropist Padma Shri Dr. Karsanbhai K. Patel, has moved from strength to strength and its commitment to quality is unwavering. This is why it went for the NAAC accreditation as soon as it became eligible for it. Now it is poised for the second cycle of accreditation. Nirma University has six constituent institutions, i.e., Institute of Technology, Institute of Management, Institute of Pharmacy, Institute of Science, Institute of Law and Institute of Architecture. Another important institution of the University is Centre for Continuing Education that serves the needs of the existing students, outside students, executives and public at large. The University is ranked among the top five private universities in the countries by prestigious magazines, like the Week in June 2014. Further, it is ranked as 6th best university among the top 25 universities in India by Higher Education Review in 2014. Its various institutions are also ranked among top professional colleges. For example, Institute of Management is consistently ranked among top 25 business schools by magazines like Business Today, People Matters, and Outlook. Similarly, Institute of Technology is ranked in the category of ‘Premier Engineering Colleges’ amongst the Best Engineering Colleges across the country by The Education Post in 2014. Further, it is listed in the category of Top Engineering Colleges of Super Excellence by Competition Success Review in 2013 and 2014. In addition, it is ranked at 12th in the DataQuest CMR T-School Survey 2014. The ISTE has given the Institute Best Chapter Award for the year 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Moreover, the ISTE has given the Institute National Awards for the Best Teacher in Gujarat state in the year 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. The Fee Regulatory Committee of the state of Gujarat has categorised the Institute of Technology, Institute of Management and Institute of Pharmacy as A grade institutions. During the assessment period, the University commenced Institute of Architecture in 2014 and launched B.Arch. programme. Institute of Management started an integrated BBA-MBA programme in 2013. Similarly, Institute of Technology started eight M.Tech. programmes as under: Instrumentation and Control (Control & Automation) Mechanical Engineering (Design Engineering) Mechanical Engineering (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) Electrical Engineering (Electrical Power Systems) Electronics and Communication Engineering (Embedded System) Computer Science & Engineering (Information & Network Security) Mechanical/Electrical / Chemical Engineering (Energy System) M.Tech. Programme - By Research (For all branches) In the same vein, Institute of Law commenced one year LL.M. programmes in: Constitutional and Administrative Law Corporate and Commercial Law Criminal and Security Law Science, Technology and Law Preface Page 1 Self-Study Report: Nirma University 2015 Legal Pedagogy and Research The Institute of Pharmacy commenced the following M.Pharm. programmes in: Clinical Pharmacy Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Finally, the Institutes of Pharmacy and Science started the following Master programme: M.Sc. in Cosmetic Technology The University adopted Outcome Based Education (OBE) and restructured the curricula of various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in 2013. Further, it is consistently moving towards learner-centric education and focussing on developing faculty to meet new educational requirements. All institutes have focussed on blended learning and have used ICT creatively to enhance student learning. Faculty members have not only performed their roles as an instructor but also as a mentor to focus on the holistic development of the student. The University also reformed its examination system and decided to focus equally on formative and summative assessment. The research focus of the University has been bolstered by providing greater funds and developmental opportunities to the faculty. Its various institutes have produced increasingly higher number of articles in national and international journals and filed a substantial number of patents. The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi provided SIRO recognition to the University. Further, it provided FIST grant to the Institute of Pharmacy. The University has closely worked with its recognised research centres and added value to them and benefitted from their expertise and recourses. The University has constantly stressed on employability and entrepreneurship among the students. Its students are well placed in different industries and its interface with the industry is being fortified. This is why the University has become the most preferred educational institution in the region. Quality assurance is a participative and systematic process. The University has worked constantly on quality assurance over last five years with different stakeholders, such as students, faculty, academic leaders, administrators, recruiters, industry experts and management representatives. Institutional leaders and IQAC co-ordinators have played important roles in promoting quality in their respective institutes. Finally, management has provided unequivocal support to various quality initiatives. I take this opportunity to express my heart-felt gratitude to one and all and hope that we shall continue our march to provide high quality education to our students and to supply world class graduates to our recruiters. (Anup Kumar Singh, Ph.D.) Preface Page 2 Self-Study Report: Nirma University 2015 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Preamble: Dr. Karsanbhai K. Patel, the internationally renowned entrepreneur and the founder of Nirma Industries, crystallized his long cherished dream of providing world class facilities through the foundation of Nirma Education and Research Foundation (NERF) in 1994. While establishing the NERF, the objects were defined which were subsequently translated into the Vision and the Mission statements of the University as mentioned underneath: VISION Shaping a better future for mankind by developing effective and socially responsible individuals and organizations. MISSION Nirma University emphasizes the all-round development of its students. It aims at producing not only good professionals but also good and worthy citizens of a great country, aiding in its overall progress and development. It endeavours to treat every student as an individual, to recognize their potential and to ensure that they receive the best preparation and training for achieving their career ambitions and life goals. Starting the journey with the above Vision and