DRAFT REPORT OF THE PEER TEAM ON THE INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION

OF BIRJHORA MAHAVIDYALAYA

SECTION I: PREFACE

The Birjhora Mahavidyalaya was established in the year 1986 as a Science College as the concerted effort of a dedicated team to promote higher education in Science in a comparatively backward tribal area of Assam. The Team’s objective was to impart quality education for young aspirants who would take admission in institution like the IITs, IMMs and IIScs. Etc. The founding members instead of having a professional college resolved to impart general education with a traditional pattern with a flexible mindset. They provided education in basic Science with scope to open up new course as and when demand would arise. Their aim was to open quality education to the learners. The mission before them was "youth empowerment through access to education, particularly higher education, inculcating scientific spirit and traditional human values enabling to share in purposeful societal needs"

The Birjhora Mahavidyalaya came into existence in June 1986 as an affiliated college of the Gauhati University. Its campus has an area of 16.23 acres (50 Bighas) located little away from the Bongaigaon Township amidst natural scenic beauty of green hills and fertile valleys. The college received University Grants Commission recognition under 2f and 12b in May 1998. It is a private Non-Government College sustained by State Government grant in aid scheme.

The establishment of the College opened up equal opportunities to the students of a backward region of Assam who aspired higher social status through merit. The college does not discriminate on the ground of race, gender, language, religion, caste, culture and physical disabilities. Since its establishment the college has succeeded in spreading knowledge in science up to the graduation level and thereby contributing to the man power growth of the state. It is needless to say that the college has made as impact in the socio-economic life of the people of lower Assam having earned reputation as a promising co-education college. It has broken the barrier of social reticence drawing large number of girl students to the portals of higher education.

In its efforts for self awareness/assessment the college has volunteered to be assessed and accredited by the NAAC and has submitted Self Study Report to the National Agency in December, 2003. The NAAC accordingly constituted its Peer Team with Professor P. K. Mishra, Former Vice Chancellor, North Orissa University as the Chairman, Dr. Debabrata Chaudhuri, Principal, Ashutosh College, Kolkata and Professor Amitabha Deb Roy, Life Sciences, Tripura University as members and Mr. B. S. Madhukar, Deputy Adviser, NAAC as the coordinator.

The Peer Team visited Birjhora Mahavidyalaya during 15-16 March 2004 and carefully perused and analysed the Self Study Report submitted by the Institution. During their visit the Team went through all the relevant documents, visited the Teaching Department and facilities, interacted with the various sections of the College. The Peer Team also interacted at length with the Principal, Teaching and Non-teaching Staff, Management Committee, Students, Parents, Alumni and the Senior Citizens of the town. Based on the above exercise and keeping in mind, the criteria identified by NAAC, the assessment of the institution under various criteria, the encouraging features of the institution as well as the issues of concern specific / relevant recommendations are given in the following paragraphs.

Section – II : Criterion - wise Analysis

Criterion – I: Curricular Aspects

Birjhora Mahavidyalaya, established in 1986 has science stream only with conventional Major Courses like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Zoology, Botany and general course English, Economics, Statistics as well as one Vocational Course i.e. Information Technology.

In 1992 by establishing IGNOU study centre within the campus it has further expanded educational avenues.

Very recently realising the importance of computer education the college authority introduced Information Technology as a Vocational course of the U.G.C.

It is a good sign that the authority has sent proposals to the UGC through the university for introduction of several vocational job orienting courses such as Industrial Chemistry, Forest and Wild Life Management, Sericulture, Biotechnology and Communicative English. For the growing demand BCA course may also be opened.

The college has taken imitative and introduced one year certificate course in I.T. keeping parity with syllabi of Tezpur University which is a welcome step.

It has also taken steps to introduce short duration courses on Mushroom Cultivation and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants for the benefit of the students and society. Such programme or complementary to teaching of basic science subjects which the college imparts to meet its goals and objectives. The college may initiate dialogue with academic Peers and local industries for initiating more such programmes.

Some faculty members have taken part in workshops on redesigning of curriculum of the university.

Criterion – II: Teaching, Learning Evaluation

The students are selected based on their academic records and interview.

The College provides remedial courses to the educationally disadvantage students by arranging tutorial classes. This is done by interaction and conducting class tests and unit tests.

The advance students are encouraged through personal contact with teachers. Students are also encouraged to use the study materials of IGNOU course for further knowledge.

It is a good practice that some departments like Physics and Botany have formed clubs & societies, which may help the students to learn beyond the prescribed syllabi of the University. The syllabi are unitized according to the teaching schedule through the year.

Teaching aids like OHP is occasionally used in class rooms and new teaching methods like Seminars and workshops are adopted by few departments. The frequency of use of such aids and teaching methods may be increased and practiced by all departments.

The numbers of teaching days are 158. This may be increased for betterment of students. The teacher – taught ratio is good in all departments except in English, Economics and Statistics. This may be compensated by engaging part-time teachers at present. The college has initiated Spoken English in the regular class routine.

The college communicates the evaluation methods at the beginning of the year. The overall performance of students is monitored from the beginning of the year by conducting periodic tests.

All appointments to permanent teachers are done according to the rules and regulations framed by the Govt. of Assam. The college has freedom to engaged part time teachers.

Two teachers have taken part in international seminars and three teachers have taken part in national seminars. More teachers may be encouraged to participate in seminars/workshop. Many of the teachers have gone through refresher courses.

Students’ feed back system has recently been introduced. This is appreciable.

The Principal and the teachers may encourage students to take up Chemistry Major in their academic pursuits.

Criterion – III: Research, Consultancy and Extension

The numbers of Ph. D. holders is 6 and equal numbers of teachers undergoing Ph. D. programme at present.

There are two on going projects – one each in the departments of Zoology and Botany. Potential departments like Botany, Zoology, Physics and Statistics may apply for minor research projects of U.G.C.

One faculty member of Zoology department has few recent research publications to his credit. More attentions may be given by the teachers towards research publications. To support research activities more journals may be subscribed.

The college was brought under COSIP of U.G.C. during 2000-2001. But now it is discontinued. Efforts may be made by the authority for its reintroduction.

Students of the college participate in extension activities through their NSS programme. Activities like tree plantation, blood donation camps, health checkup, AIDS awareness programme are arranged. The students expressed their appreciation for providing opportunities in activities related to Wild Life conservation.

The departments of Zoology and Botany may explore possibility of providing consultancy in their respective areas of operation.

Criterion IV : Infrastructure and learning resources

The Birjhora Mahavidyalaya situated at a semi-urban location of Bongaigaon, Assam with a total campus area of 16.23 acres and has an ideal educational environment to students and teachers for all round development.

The college has adequate number of classrooms, science laboratories, computer centre, library, separate administrative building, separate recreation rooms for boys and girls with facilities for indoor games.

Laboratories of the departments of Chemistry and Physics need immediate renovation and up-gradation. In addition the College has Mushroom cultivation Centre, Nursery, Lotus ponds, Demonstration plots for Medicinal plants, Vermicompost tank, Patchouli cultivation cum demonstration plot, Butterfly Rearing centre, Orchidarium etc. (Herbal Garden Complex). Apart from its own infrastructures, the facilities available at IGNOU study centre are also available to the college. Department of Zoology and Botany deserve compliments for their academic and extension activities.

The college has 6590 books in its racks and 6 periodicals. It has been reported that 457 books have been added to the Library recently. There are small departmental libraries. Efforts should be made to increase the numbers of Books and journals in the library. Also there is need for sufficient space in students’ reading room and a photocopy machine. It has been noted that the college has already taken initiative to construct a new library building and a seminar hall. The working hours of the library may be suitably altered for the benefit of the users. Necessary arrangement for computerization of the library and providing book bank services to the needy students to be looked into. It has been reported that the library recently installed library management package.

There is a computer centre in the college. Efforts may be made to provide computers to all departments with LAN facilities. Internet facilities has been recently introduced. The teachers and students should be encouraged to avail of this facilities.

At present the college does not have any hostel and staff quarters. The need for providing such facilities may be evaluated and appropriate action may be taken.

Though the college does not have any Health Centre of its own, first aid services and health check up by local doctors are arranged.

The college utilizes its infrastructure facilities by way of extending its support services to IGNOU, allowing other organisations to hold Examinations, Seminars, Meetings, workshop etc.. The Herbal Garden Complex not only helps the students of life sciences, but also provides training opportunities to the local youths and NGOs through practical demonstrations, and the college may be proud of this complex.

A small workshop may be established in the college and attached to the department of Physics.

Criterion V: Students support and progression

The pass percentage of the students is satisfactory. The drop out rate is negligible. On an average about 5% of students get First Class.

The college publishes a well-documented prospectus for the benefit of the prospective students. recently the college has initiated a carrier guidance cell, though it does not have any employment cell. The Alumni Association has also been recently established. So also Extension Cell, Women’s Cell, Planning Forum have been activated recently. It is hope that their activities will be sustained.

Facilities for Indoor games and Cultural activities are available. Nature Club, Physics Club, Debate Club are functioning in the college. The students expressed the need for further improvement of indoor games and recreation facilities.

Financial grants are available for SC, ST and OBC students which are distributed in timely manner.

The institution has initiated mechanism to get feedback from students and guardians recently. Self-appraisal report from teachers are collected as per norms.

The sport facilities need argumentation. The students expressed a desire for engagement of a physical instructor in this regard.

Criterion VI : Organisation and Management.

The college is managed by the Governing body constituted as per ‘‘The Assam Non-Government College Management Rule (revised), 2001’’, with the principal as its ex-officio Secretary and he is responsible for implementation of the various policy decisions of the Governing Body. Departmental matters are managed by the HODs. The students and teachers are involved in day-to-day affairs of the college through various committees. These helps the principal to think about other development programmes.

To overcome the manpower constraints, the college engages Guest Teachers for academic purposes, and also engages persons on temporary and daily wage basis. Faculty members, office and library staff are encouraged to attend Refresher/Orientation or training courses from various external agencies like IGNOU, NIEPA etc. Submission of self-appraisal reports has been introduced for teachers.

The financial transactions are jointly made by the secretary (principal) and the Treasurer. Apart from tuition fees, college receives financial grants from the UGC and the state Government. The college has done well to mobilise resources from the MLA’s local area development fund, Buniyad Scheme (Govt. of Assam) and general public. The College may reintroduce other fund raising activities as practiced in the past.

Receipts and expenditures of the college have been audited by internal auditors appointed by the GB up to 2002-2003, and by the Government auditor upto 2001-2002.

Service books of the teachers and the staff, important documents, cash books, receipts and dispatched records etc. are well maintained.

A Grievance Redressal Cell has been recently opened in the college.

Criterion VII : Healthy Practices

In the context of the working of this institution the following healthy practices have been noticed by the Peer Team.

The College is aware of the changing social needs in higher education and accordingly introduces new courses like Information Technology.

The departments maintain lesson plan and progress diary for each teacher.

The Principal and members of the Governing Body are monitoring academic programme.

The college maintains very good team work among the teachers.

There is linkage with the local industries and societies. The linkages in research and training with the Bombay Natural History Society, Assam Electronic Development Corporation (AMTRON), (Govt. of Assam Undertaking), North Orissa University, Assam Science Society are commendable. The society provides funds to promote research of minor projects.

The college has well maintained herbal garden.

The Department of Mathematics conducts Math Olympiads and Talent Search Tests.

Department of Chemistry conducts Chemistry Olympiad.

Section – III: Overall analysis

The Birjhora Mahavidyalaya over the years has worked towards achieving its goals and objectives. The Peer Team is satisfied in the progress achieved by the college so far. The following are the significant observation of the peer team.

The Birjhora Mahavidyalaya has consolidated itself as an Sciences College with adequate class room facilities, laboratories, equipments, library and qualified faculty members.

The management takes keen interest in its physical and academic expansion/growth.

The student teacher relation is very good.

The courses are covered in time and examinations are held as per university regulation.

The students take interest in curricular, co-curricular end extra curricular activities.

Some have represented the college in University level sports and cultural programmes.

The teaching staff are keen is research activities and they publish the results of their research works in provincial journals/bulletin.

The promising teachers have taken recourse to innovative methods like creating aquarium, herbal garden, vermicompost, mushroom cultivation etc.

The college encourages minor research projects, and orientation/refreshers courses for knowledge updating of teachers.

The principal takes interest to get funds from the MLA fund, State Government and UGC for various expansion works.

The teachers organize regular debates, Seminars, Workshops and special coaching for students who need such attention.

The College campus is well maintained.

Some suggestions: -

The college library needs to be computerized.

The working hours of the library need to be increased. As far as possible each department be provided with a computer and all members of teaching and non-teaching staff be trained in using computer.

A hostel for the girl students appears necessary.

The reading room facilities for students need further extension.

Like wise drinking water in Boys common room may be provided.

The management may consider giving a new look to the courses offered in Economics and Chemistry.

The allocation for the library may be increased to subscribe for journals and magazines.

The management may have to think of a long term plan for all-round development of the college.

A play ground is considered essential with provisions for either a full time or part time Physical Training Instructor.

All students passing out of the college should get opportunity to learn the use of computer.

The NAAC Peer Team enjoyed the warm hospitality of the college authorities during their short stay at Bongaigaon. They are grateful to the staff members, Principal, and Management Committee for the same. They cherish happy memories of the cultural programme put up by the students and staff, and hope for a very bright future for the institution.

Signature of Peer Team Members

 

(Prof. P. K. Mishra) Chairman

(Prof. Amitabha Deb Roy) Member

 

 

 

(Dr. Debabrata Chaudhuri)

Member

 

 

Signature of the Principal

( Mr. Mrigen Das )

Principal,

Birjhora Mahavidyalaya,

Bongaigaon.