Performance Evaluation, Assessment and Accreditation and Quality Upgradation
IQAC
In pursuance of the National Action Plan of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore, for performance evaluation, assessment and accreditation and quality upgradation of institutions of higher education, the NAAC proposes that every accredited institution should establish an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) as a post-accreditation quality sustenance measure. Since quality enhancement is a continuous process, the IQAC will become a part of an institution’s system and work towards realising 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 performance of institutions. The IQAC will make a significant and meaningful contribution in the post-accreditation phase of institutions. During the post-accreditation period, the IQAC will channelize the efforts and measures of an institution towards academic excellence.
IQAC shall evolve mechanisms and procedures for:
E nsuring timely, efficient and progressive performance of academic, administrative and financial tasks
The relevance and quality of academic and research programmes
Equitable access to and affordability of academic programmes for various sections of society
Optimization and integration of modern methods of teaching and learning
The credibility of evaluation procedures
Ensuring the adequacy, maintenance and functioning of the support structure and services
Research sharing and networking with other institutions in India and abroad.
Functions
Some of the functions expected of the IQAC are:
Development and application of quality benchmarks/parameters for various academic and administrative activities of an institution
Dissemination of information on various quality parameters of higher education
Organization of workshops, seminars on quality related themes and promotion of quality circles
Documentation of the various programmes / activities leading to quality improvement
Acting as a nodal agency of the institution for quality-related activities
Preparation of the Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) to be submitted to NAAC based on the quality parameters
Benefits
IQAC will facilitate / contribute:
To a heightened level of clarity and focus in institutional functioning towards quality enhancement and facilitate internalization of the quality culture.
To the enhancement and integration among the various activities of the institution and institutionalize many good practices.
To provide a sound basis for decision making to improve institutional functioning.
To act as a change agent in the institution.
To better internal communication.
Composition
The IQAC may be constituted in every institution under the chairmanship of head of the institution with heads of important academic and administrative units, a few teachers and a few distinguished educationists/representatives of local committee. The composition of the IQAC may be as follows:
Chairperson: Head of the Institution
A few senior administrative officers
Three to eight teachers
One or two members from the Management
One/two nominees from local society
One of the teachers as the coordinator of the IQAC.
Though NAAC suggests the composition, the institutions can customize it to suit their size and complexity. IQACs would facilitate better planning, coordinator and monitoring of various functions within an institution. It would also give the stakeholders an opportunity to participate in a cross-sectional functioning of the institution to promote quality enhancement initiatives and activities.