CRITERIA 5

Criterion V Student Support and Progression

 

5.1.1 Profile (General, SC/ST, OBC) of students for the last two batches

2006-07

Course	Total	Male	Female	SC	ST	OBC
Degree
P.G.
M.Phil
Ph.D

2007-08

Course	Total	Male	Female	SC	ST	OBC
Degree	1955	1222	733	407	44	766
P.G.	586	206	380	74	17	219
M.Phil	48	21	27	11	0	18
Ph.D	129	54	75	25	0	36

 

1. What are the efforts made by the Institution to minimize the drop out rate and facilitate course completion by the students?
   

   All the Teaching departments offer counseling to the students through their interactions outside the class hours in the tutorial sessions. The economically backward students get the benefit of financial assistance of the Government in the form of Scholarships. Various Endowment prizes and Merit awards instituted in the different departments offer the students a motivation to excel in their studies. Class PTA meetings organized at the department level addresses issues such as student absenteeism, and underperformance.
   

2. On an average, what percentage of the students progress to further studies and for employment? Give details for the last two years (U.G to P.G to Ph.D and/ or to employment?
   

Under Graduate level

Year of pass	Higher studies	Employment	Self Employment	Other
2007-08	52%	20%	12 %	6%
2006-07	54%	18%	16%	12%

Post Graduate level

Year of pass	Higher studies	Employment	Self Employment	Other
2007-08	25 %	45 %	15 %	15%
2006-07	20 %	48%	20 %	12%

 

1. How does the institution facilitate the placement of its outgoing students? What proportions of the graduating students have been employed? (Average of the last five years)
   

   A Placement cell functions in the college to assist in student placement by arranging job interviews and examinations by the private and Multinational companies in India. The cell also supports students by giving counseling and through personality development programmes. Timely information about different job openings in different sectors of the Indian job market is provided to students through notices and circulars.
   

   1. How does the institution facilitate and support students for appearing and qualifying in various competitive examinations/ Give details of the number of students coached, appeared and qualified in various competitive examinations. (Average of the last five years) (UGC-CSIR NET, SLET, GATE, CAT, GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, Civil Services Exam etc)
      

      Individual departments support students in preparing for UGC-CSIR NET examinations by conducting orientation classes during the tutorial sessions. The College has a Coaching centre dedicated for training students for appearing in the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary)Examination in which about 90-100 students are trained every year in two batches. Students are also assisted in appearing for the examinations like GATE. Interactions of students with meritorious alumni being organized by the departments also help students in preparing for these competitive examinations.
      

   2. Give a comparative analysis of the institutional academic performance with reference to other colleges of the affiliating University and the University average. (Pass percentage, distinctions, gold medals, and University Ranks)
      

Under Graduate

Year	Pass Percentage	Distinctions	Ranks
2007-08	68.59	70	5
2006-07	71.50	62	6
2005-06	65.40	58	5
2004-05	73.50	68	6
2003-04	64.00	59	4
Year	Pass percentage	Distinctions	Ranks
2007-08	76.50	40	8
2006-07	70.50	32	6
2005-06	69.50	36	5
2004-05	75.40	42	6
2003-04	67.00	28	5

 

1. Student Support
   

5.2.1 Does the institution publish its updated prospectus, handbook and other student information material annually? If yes, what is the information disseminated to students through these publications?

The College publishes an annual calendar and prospectus giving information about the various departments, courses being offered, their intake and other infrastructural facilities available. The information about the college and its departments is also available in the college website www.universitycollege.org.in.

1. Does the institution provide financial aid to students? If yes, specify the type and number of scholarships/freeships given to the students during the last academic year by the institution (other than those provided by the social welfare departments of the State or Central Governments)
   

   Apart from the Govt. scholarships and fee concessions there are several initiatives at the department level to give financial assistance to needy students. Endowment awards have been instituted by several departments to give cash benefits to meritorious students. Besides, faculty members of various departments help students in remitting examination fees and in other needy situations.
   

2. Give details of schemes for student welfare? (Insurance, subsidized canteen facilities, special diets, student counseling support, 'earn while you learn' scheme etc).
   

   The College, being a public institution has several student welfare schemes. There is a College canteen that provides food at subsidized rates for students. The Women's study unit has over the last five years organized programmes aimed at the welfare of girl students. These included training in Artificial flower making, life skills development, legal counseling and personality development. The National Service Scheme units of the College organizes programmes aimed at development of student personality through annual ten day camps, special programmes such as the Legal literacy classes conducted on an annual basis and training programmes.
   

   The job oriented add on courses such as the one on Travel and tourism offered at the Degree level is aimed at imparting professional skills to students. Students of the college are sent to various outside the campus programmes such as quiz, debate and other competitions. The NCC and Navy units of the College conducts several programmes every year to develop student personality and skills.
   

   The National Service Scheme has now four units in the College with a total capacity of 400 volunteers. Annual programmes of the NSS such as the Legal Literacy Classes for Graduate Students and the Annual Ten day special camps are aimed at developing student personalities in a holistic manner. Besides, volunteers get opportunities to attend state and national camps being organized by the NSS. In the National Camp held in Chennai during January, 2008, Mr. Rahul, volunteer secretary of the College unit was selected as a best participant. Programme Officers and Volunteer Secretaries of the NSS take active role in the organization of various programmes at the College level.
   

3. What types of support services are available to overseas students?
   

   Overseas students are given support during their initial college days in adjusting to the new environment. This is being done by the concerned group tutor. Besides the College gives special assistance to these students in terms of getting a hostel accommodation and overcoming language barriers.
   

4. Give details of the placement and counseling services for the students?
   

   The student placement and guidance cell at the college level offers facilities for students to improve their job skills as well as to find suitable job placements. The placement cell, upon request from prospective employers, organizes campus recruitment programmes. The Cell has organized several such drives during the last five years and a total of about 85 students have got placement in multinational companies. Companies such as the Infosys, TCS, Tata AIG, Wipro and ITC have recruited final year graduate students from the College through Campus interviews.
   

5. How does the institution encourage and develop entrepreneurial skills among the students?
   

   Skill development programmes such as the ones organized by the Womens' study unit, NSS and NCC units help development of entrepreneurial skills in students.
   

6. Does the faculty participate in academic and personal counseling? If yes, please give details of services provided during the last academic year?
   

   The faculty members engage students in counseling to solve academic and personal issues at the department level. The staff council of the department discusses issues regarding student participation in academic activities and the need for support. The Student grievance cells at the department level are a platform personal counseling for students. The Class PTA meetings organized by the departments last year was specially meant for addressing personal issues of students related to education.
   

7. Is there a separate guidance and counseling centre for women students? If yes, enumerate the activities of the centre.
   

   The Women's Study unit of the college is specially designed for the purpose of welfare of the women students. The various programmes organized during the last five years are:
   

Sl. No.	Date	Programme	Nature of programme	Resource person
1.	March 2004	Women Empowerment	Seminar	Smt. Sugatha kumari
2.	October, 2004	Legal Campus Clinic	Counseling	Addl. Sub Judge, Shri. S.S. Vasan
3.	November, 2005	'Life Skill Development for Women Empowerment'	Lecture	Dr. Sarada Rajeevan
4.	November, 2005	Artificial flower making	Training programme	Dr. Valsala kumari
5.	February, 2006	Violence against women	Lecture	Dr. T.N. Seema
6.	October, 2007	Women and Society	Talk	Dr. B. Sandhya IPS
7.	November, 2007	Women and Law	Talk	Advt. Geena Kumary
8.	December, 2007	Dowry System	Discussion	Smt. A.G. Oleena
9.	October, 2007	Women and Society	Talk	Dr. B. Sandhya IPS
10.	March, 2008	International Women's Day	Talk	Smt K.K. Shylaja MLA

 

1. Is there a cell/committee constituted for prevention/action against sexual harassment of women students? If yes, detail its constitution and enumerate its activities (issues addressed during the last two years)
   

   Yes, the College has constituted a committee for the prevention of harassment of women students. A lady faculty member is the Convenor of the Committee and there are nominated faculty members.
   

2. Does the institution have a grievance redressal cell? If yes, what are its functions? Detail the major grievances addressed during the last two years.
   

   Every department has a grievance cell comprising the staff council and led by the Head of the Department. Student complaints are addressed to the Head who then passes it on to the staff council. Serious issues are discussed in the staff meetings and the rest are sorted out in an informal manner. Student feed back about teachers and teaching is collected regularly and forms the basis for quality improvement.
   

   However, under special circumstances the College Council sets up special bodies to resolve serious issues that affect students and college.
   

3. Is there a provision for acquiring computer skills/literacy for all students in the curriculum? If yes, give details on how it is imparted, and level of proficiency.
   

   The Curriculum doesn't provide for the acquisition of computer skills for all students. However, the College has a Computer Centre that caters to the needs of the student community. The computer operator employed by the College PTA gives special assistance to students reaching the centre in basic computing skills and also in internet browsing. Besides, the tutorial sessions organized at the department level give opportunities to students for acquiring these skills.
   

4. What value-added courses are introduced by the institution to develop life skills; career training; community orientation; good citizenship and personality development of students?
   

   Field visit to jail and Rehabilitation centers by students and teachers of the Department of Philosophy in the year 2008 was an exercise aimed at inculcating the social responsibility in students. Distribution of food to the inmates using the funds donated by alumni was another exercise in this direction.
   

   Annual ten day camps of the NSS as well as the training camps of the NCC and the Navy give special emphasis to developing a good value system in students. Personality development is another aim of such programmes.
   

5. How does the institution ensure safety and security of the students, faculty and the institutional assets?
   

   The College has posted two security guards by utilizing the PTA funds to ensure the safety and security of the students, faculty and the institutional assets. Besides during night time there is a watch man on duty who takes care of the institutional assets.
   

6. Student Activities
   

5.3.1 Does the institution have an Alumni Association?

The college has an alumni association whose meetings are mostly organized in the college campus itself in which many senior alumni participate. The meetings also discuss the steps to be taken for the development of the College. These suggestions are conveyed to the College council through the Principal who adopt the possible suggestions. Besides, there are also Department wise alumni associations, of which the ones maintained by the Physics and Chemistry Departments are notable.

The University College Alumni Senior Citizen's Association (UCASA) is a registered body (Reg. No. T 4035/06) and its current office bearers are:

    President          :     Mr. S. Ayyappan Nair IAS (Rtd)

    Vice President : 1. Mr. S. sukumaran Potti

                 2. Capt. N.N. Nair (Rtd)

    Secretary        : Col. N.J. Sankar (Rtd)

    Treasurer        : M. S. A. Azeem

There are a total of about 300 registered members. The website of the association is www.Universitycollegealumnisca.web.com

Activities during the last two years - During the last two years the alumni association has participated in the several developmental activities of the College. This included financial assistance to meritorious students of the college and assistance towards the beautification of the college campus.

Details of the top ten alumni occupying prominent positions

Details of the contribution of alumni to the growth and development of the institution.

Alumni association as well as alumnus individually interact with the College and respective departments in student motivational Programmes, development discussions and academic support.

1. How does the institution encourage the students to participate in extra curricular activities including sports and games? Give details on the achievement of students during the last two years. (Institution level, Inter University/Inter state/National/International)?
   

   The staff advisor of the College takes initiative in the over all welfare of students. Besides, the college has given charge to faculty members to support students who participate in quiz programmes, arts fests and sports competitions. Faculty member in charge of quiz and debate selects students for various inter collegiate and state level competitions. Many students of the college have over the past won prestigious quiz competitions. The College gives special attention to the students participating in the University Youth festivals. Two faculty members including one lady lecturer are appointed as accompanying teachers to support the student participants. Also, the PTA spends considerable sum for the student expenses incurred in connection with such events. Miss. of the final B.A. English secured the maximum points in the Kerala University Youth Festival of 2007 and got the prestigious Kalathilakam title.
   

   The Department of Physical Education organizes special training camps to prepare students for sports and games both within and outside the state. The College Hand ball team has won the South India Inter University Hand Ball competitions organized at Trivandrum in 2008 and University level competitions in St. Cyril's College, Adoor in 2007. Mr. Rajeshkumar of II B.Sc Geology has won a National level title in the competitions in fencing held during December 2008. Mr Abhiram of I B.Sc Zoology represented the State and the University in Water polo at the national level and won First prize. Besides, several students from the college has won several sports awards and recognitions.
   

   Miss. Binitha A.N. Research Scholar, Department of Zoology won the Young Scientist Award at the State level in 2007.
   

2. How does the institution involve and encourage students to publish materials like catalogues, wall magazines, college magazine, and other material?
   

   A faculty member is given charge of guiding and supporting students in the publishing of a college magazine. College magazines published annually give opportunities to students to express their literary skills.
   

   Besides, individual departments also encourage students in literary activities. The Exhibition of famous writers organized by the students of the Department of English in the year 2008 was with the active support of the department faculty, both in terms of financial assistance and creative support.
   

   The annual ten day camps being organized by the National Service Scheme units of the College devote special attention in this regard. Students with the guidance of the Programme officers publish wall papers on all camp days describing the camp activities in a creative fashion.
   

3. Does the College have a student council or any similar body? Give details on its constitution, major activities and funding.
   

   The College has a democratically elected student union which looks after student welfare through its various programmes. The College Union comprises a Chairman, Vice Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer, Arts Club Secretary and Representatives from the Departments. Besides, there are two University Union Councillors who represent the College students in the Kerala University Union. The major activities of the union include organizing of general debates, discussions and talks on relevant issues involving local leaders, ministers and people from the literary field, Arts Fest of two days that give opportunities to students to express their talents, Film fest and College Day. Staff Advisor and other faculty members assist students in the holding of competitions. College union receives funds for its various programmes from the donations from students and faculty as well as from the PTA. University Union also supports the College Union in organizing different programmes.
   

4. Give details of the various academic and administrative bodies and their activities (academic and administrative), which have student representations in them.
   

   Academic bodies which have student representation include
   

5. Does the institution have a mechanism to seek and use data and feed back from its graduates and from employers, to improve the growth and development of the institution?
   

   Alumni who work in different professional organizations give feed back about the effectiveness of the academic training they underwent in the institution. Similarly, employers who interact with the Placement cell give valuable inputs on student capabilities.
   

1. Best Practices in Student Support and Progression
   

5.6.1 Give details of institutional best practices towards Student Support and Progression

    Alumni, during their visit to the departments where they studied are involved in awareness programmes for junior students. The Geoforum of the Department of Geology takes special interest in involving alumni in sharing their experiences for the benefit of the existing students. The Student Acheivers' Day organized on 10 December 2008 by the Geoforum in the Department of Geology is a case in point. Former students who got selected in various professional organizations at national and international levels were invited and asked to share their experiences. They were also given mementos by the department.

The Literary club, Drama club and the Debating club of the Department of English in which students and teachers are involved is a notable venture in the direction of student support and progression.

Medical support given to needy students by the Department of History is a different exercise aimed at student support. Volunteers of the National Service Scheme take part in voluntary blood donation to needy patients in Government Hospitals. The College got the Blood Donors Award of the State Government for the year 2007.

Evaluative observations made in the previous NAAC assessment report and how they have been acted upon

1. A formal Grievance redressal mechanism for students needs to be established
   

   The College now has Greivance redressal cells at the college and department level. At the College level this has been tied up with the Anti Ragging cell comprising a committee with Principal as the Chairman. The cell receives complaints from students and acts upon the merit of the case. In the case of a complaint or a grievance the concerned department committee is asked to report within a week about the issue. The Council then places it before its meeting to take appropriate action. The Department committees act in tandem with the College level cell and have the Head as the convenor and all faculty members as members. In September, 2008 the college organized an anti ragging awareness campaign through these cells in which legal experts took classes.
   

2. Student evaluation of Teachers could be mandatory
   

   The Departments have now a formal mechanism to collect feed back from the students in a printed format. Teacher evaluation of students is conducted during the final year of the academic programs and the assessment sheets are collected by the Head of the Departments. The Head then summons individual teachers and apprise him/her of his/her performance as assessed by the students.
   

3. A student Advisory Bureau could be established for advising students about the courses/programmes in India and Abroad
   

   The College has established a Student help desk to advise students about opportunities in higher education. This desk also helps students in getting information about examinations, both at the University and at the National level.
   

4. Establishment of a formal placement cell could also be explored
   

   The College has a formal placement and guidance cell with a faculty member as its Convenor. The Cell has been able to arrange campus interviews by leading national and multinational companies and over 85 students have got placement over the last five year period. Besides, the cell also conducts awareness classes for the students on placement opportunities.
   

5. The College needs to activate Alumni Association at an early date
   

There is an active Alumni Association for the college which holds frequent meetings. The office bearers interact with the Principal and the members of the IQAC on issues relating to the state of the College. These suggestions are given due weightage and are discussed and acted upon.