In pursuance of its Action Plan for performance evaluation, assessment and accreditation and quality up-gradation of institutions of higher education, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore proposes that every accredited institution should establish an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) as a post-accreditation quality sustenance measure; accordingly in 2004 IQAC has been established. Since quality enhancement is a continuous process. The IQAC will become a part of the institution’s system and work towards realization of the goals of quality enhancement and sustenance. The prime task of the IQAC is to develop a system for conscious, consistent and catalytic improvement in the overall performance of institutions.
The role of the coordinator of the IQAC is crucial in ensuring the effective functioning of all the members. The coordinator of the IQAC may be a senior person with expertise in quality aspects. She/he may be a full-time functionary or, to start with, she/he may be a senior academic /administrator entrusted with the IQAC as an additional responsibility. Secretarial assistance may be facilitated by the administration. It is preferable that the coordinator may have sound knowledge about the computer, its various functions and usage for effective communication. The coordinator of the IQAC and the secretary will have a major role in implementing these functions. The IQAC may derive major support from the already existing units and mechanisms that contribute to the functions.
Objectives :-
The primary aim of IQAC is –
- To develop a system for conscious, consistent and catalytic action to improve the academic and administrative performance of the institution.
- To promote measures for institutional functioning towards quality enhancement through internalization of quality culture and institutionalization of best practices.
Strategies :-
IQAC has evolved mechanisms and procedures for-
- a) Ensuring timely, efficient and progressive performance of academic, administrative and financial tasks
- b) The relevance and quality of academic and research programmes
- c) Equitable access to and affordability of academic programmes for various sections of society
- d) Optimization and integration of modern methods of teaching and learning
- e) The credibility of evaluation procedures
- f) Ensuring the adequacy, maintenance and proper allocation of support structure and services
Functions :-
Expected functions of the IQAC are –
- a) Development and application of quality benchmarks/parameters for various academic and administrative activities of the institution
- b) Facilitating the creation of a learner-centric environment conducive to quality education and faculty maturation to adopt the required knowledge and technology for participatory teaching and learning process
- c) Arrangement for feedback response from students, parents and other stakeholders on quality-related institutional processes
- d) Dissemination of information on various quality parameters of higher education
- e) Organization of inter and intra institutional workshops, seminars on quality related themes and promotion of quality circles
- f) Documentation of the various programmes/activities leading to quality improvement
- g) Acting as a nodal agency of the Institution for coordinating quality-related activities, including adoption and dissemination of best practices
- h) Development and maintenance of institutional database through MIS for the purpose of maintaining /enhancing the institutional quality
- i) Development of Quality Culture in the institution
- j) Preparation of the Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) as per guidelines and parameters of NAAC, to be submitted to NAAC.
- k) Sharing of research findings and networking with other institutions in India and abroad.