Y.S. RANA, CHANDIGARH—Three city college outstrip others in the region when these were awarded ‘A’ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) recently. The colleges are Post-graduate Government College, Sector 46, Government College for Girls, Sector 11 and PG Government College, Sector 42.
While talking to The India Post Mrs Gurjeet Kaur, Principal, PG Government College, Sector 46, Chandigarh said that a team of 3-member team from NAAC had visited the college in September last. She further stated that college was evaluated in seven categories which included examination, evaluation and assessment of learning study; research work; extra-curricular activities; implementation of central schemes and sports. The ‘A’ Grade colleges were given enhanced UGC financial and RUSA grants, she said.
She further said that the college came to limelight because of its standing in extra-curricular activities including workshops, youth-related seminars and job festivals which was organized every year by the college. Nearly 200 students of the college got placements every year. The college has also done well in research work. She gave all credit to its staff for marvelous support and efforts that the college achieved this milestone.
Mrs Kaur also stated that her college has not started science stream so far as such a number of students especially of Air Force personnel were being refused admission. The college had well-built building along with labs provision for the purpose but non-appointment of science teaching faculty, the college could not start science stream. “Students of southern sectors have to take admission in colleges in other sectors,” she said.
She also said that her college had a number of students from Afghanistan, North-East and Ladakh besides other states across the country but there was no hostel on the premises of college. These students faced a lot of board and lodging problems, she added. She also revealed that proposal for construction of hostel has been approved and drawing was also passed by the Architect Department but construction of building has not started so far. The college needs hostel urgently, she feels.
Since 2010 undergoing assessment and accreditation from NAAC is mandatory for Arts, Science, Commerce and recognized colleges. A college which is accredited with the highest grade in two consecutive cycles from NAAC will be provided autonomous status provided it obtains “No Objection Certificate” from the affiliated university. It has also been made mandatory of video-recording of all NAAC visits.
An ‘A’ grade from the NAAC for two cycles (10 years) and having an ‘A’ grade in the third cycle also is awarded autonomous status if the affiliating varsity has no objection. So far, autonomous status was granted to colleges with a permanent affiliation to a university. Nearly 500 colleges across the country have got autonomous status so far.
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is an organisation that assesses and accredits institutions of higher education across the country. It is an autonomous body funded by UGC headquartered in Bangalore.