Academic policy

ACADEMIC POLICY GUIDELINES

NALANDA DEGREE COLLEGE endeavors to foster a culture of excellence in education that equips students with the knowledge, skills, social responsibility, inclusivity, to address global challenges. Students are prepared to excel in their chosen fields, by their involvement in academic programs and services to cultivate a community of learners and leaders, to become active citizens and make positive impact on the society. The academic policy document embodies the college’s academic objectives and the plans intended to execute them.

OBJECTIVES:

The academic policy, procedure and program promote and encourage academic excellence, student progress, uphold academic integrity, student active learning and engagement. Support faculty through faculty development programs- encouraging innovation, creativity, novelty in teaching, learning and continuous improvement of students and faculty.

The college instills transparency, accountability, intellectual standards, ethics, integrity, career development, ideal lifestyle, work life balance, soft skills, communication skills, professional ethics, and responsible behavior for overall success. These strategic collaborations expand the academic programs and operations towards achieving the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of the institution by strategic planning and goal-setting processes.

QUALITY PARAMETERS IN THE COLLEGE ARE MAINLY ESTABLISHED THROUGH:

• Academic quality is attained by maintaining relevant curriculum, qualified faculty, effective teaching, evaluate and improve all round academic performance in all areas.
• The course material and syllabus is followed by inclusive curriculum and pedagogy. Along with academics extracurricular activities, industry partnerships, collaborations, technology and digital infrastructure, laboratory facilities, library, classrooms, seminar hall, alumni relations and network is ensured. ICT based education & flexible learning enhances collaboration and communication including digital resources and virtual classrooms.

CHALLENGES:

To implement potent academic policies, collaborative efforts of students, faculty and management are required to address certain challenges.

Every year, the institution addressing, maintaining academic integrity, managing inclusion, balancing academic accountability and freedom, assuring the success and professional progress of students. Encouraging faculty research, addressing the student discipline and conduct, balancing faculty development with career growth prospects. Adapting novel technical and academic expansion.

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Understanding and implementing specific academic responsibilities set by regulating authorities like the affiliating University, State Government, APSCHE imply commitment, and performing competent academic responsibilities and obligations.

• To achieve academic brilliance, the college management guarantees the execution of assorted policies to accomplish the institution’s mission and vision, meeting the limitations.
• The Chairman, playing a vital role in promoting the institution’s growth and promoting adequate resources for maintaining high academic standards, by implementing the academic policies and procedures regulated by the authorities including academics and other sectors. Empowering young generation and staff towards quality teaching learning experience.
• The Principal ensures accurate up to date record maintenance of both the physical and soft records to facilitate compliance with regulations.
• The Principal plays a crucial role in balancing both the academic and non-academic responsibilities, creating a productive learning environment that benefits the students and the college.
• The Academic committee imparts academic integrity with a rewarding academic experience in the preparation of academic calendars, setting examination policies, semester plans, well planned, executed and evaluated, imparting quality education.
• Various academic events like seminars, workshops, conferences, lectures, webinars, collaborating a vibrant academic culture and providing hands on training along with skills building.
• The Examination Committee ensures smooth conduct of assessments, upholding the highest standards in credibility and reliability during the conduct of internal and external exams in compliance with academic regulations, calendars and ultimately the final results publication.
• The Heads of Departments contribute the overall development and succession of the institution by effective subject allocation, allocating sufficient time for course completion, departmental strategic lecture planning, Teaching-Learning progress, and other academic responsibilities.
• Faculty, academic staff ensure responsibility in shaping the academic landscape, contribute to a well rounded academic experience by quality teaching, syllabus thoroughly covered, enriching students knowledge with guest lectures, remedial classes, regular tests, assignments and assessments fostering students growth.
• Conducting regular academic audits to ensure academic policies and programs meet the high standards of academic quality, reputation and institutional goals.

ACTION PLAN

To achieve particular goal or objective, a detailed roadmap outlines the following steps by creating a comprehensive action plan of academic activities.

• To achieve the department goals the Heads of each Department outlines specific strategies like subject allocation to potential faculty members before the commencement of every semester. Then the essential components like a schedule outlining the academic timetable, academic calendars are well structured including co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, important academic dates, events, list of holidays, workshops, seminars supporting students’ academic, personal and professional growth.
• The essential documents called Lecture plans and Course Information Sheets are well structured by the faculty members under the guidance and verification by the Head of the Department.
• Modern education essential components, Course material and content delivery create dynamic inclusive learning environment using ICT tools that support student success.
• Reviewing the attainment of Course Outcomes (CO’s) by the department refine teaching practices, enhance student learning, keeping in view of the previous teaching learning strategies.
• To ease the transition of the new students in the first year into the new academic environment, an Induction Bridge Program and Orientation sessions are designed with the rules and regulations of the institution to help the students navigate the challenges of higher education.
• Supportive environment, to acquire new skills and knowledge, is provided through workshops and interactive sessions with hands on approach to teaching and learning, focusing on required skills.
• A specialized unit of Research and Development cell focusing on innovation, experimentation and development of novel ideas, identifying opportunities and challenges collaborating with academia, industry and government agencies by conducting seminars, workshops, conferences and projects.
• Faculty members develop and update course material, conduct assignments, extra classes, class activity, complete course syllabus according to the institution’s academic program, tracking and documenting student attendance records.
• Internal test, assignments tutorial marks are mapped by designing and implementing a Web Application for Course Outcome (CO) and Program Outcome (PO) to achieve the desired learning objectives.
• Implementing a Mentor – Mentee system with groups of 15 to 20 students, faculty as mentors towards career advancement and professional skill development, by exchanging knowledge.
• Feed-back Committee’s primary goal is to collect, analyze and act upon the feedback from multiple stakeholders like students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and the management for delivering high quality services.
• The examination Committee ensures timely conducting of internal exams, assessment and publication of marks in an organized manner. By following a predetermined schedule it conducts university examinations in a fair and supportive environment.
• Arrangement and organization of several skill enhancement seminars, workshops, guest lectures, student centric programs like cultural events, sports, athletics, self-defense training, industrial visits, visiting orphanages and old age homes to explore and gain practical experience in various fields and develop new skills.

ACADEMIC MONITORING AND STUDENT SUPPORT

• For academic monitoring and student support, various committees work together to instill a supportive academic environment, monitoring academic activities along with extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
• The Academic Committee provides guidance on academic matters, recommends required remedial actions on academic matters like course selection and planning, syllabus coverage, maintaining examination standards, students issues and solutions.
• The mentor-mentee system allocates faculty mentors to student groups, implementing meaningful relationships, maintaining academic and non-academic records. They are the primary source of communication for both the students and parents, building a supportive network.
• The student Welfare Committee address student grievances like mental health and stress, supporting their personal and emotional well-being.
• The Feedback Committee collects and addresses feedback from various stakeholders for improving academic experience.
• The Grievance Redressal Cell addresses and resolves complaints and grievances in a fair, timely and transparent manner.
• The Discipline Committee investigates and addresses incidents and maintains discipline within the organization and around the college, for a safe and respectful environment.
• The Extension Committee oversees and coordinates extension activities aiming to extend the institution’s resources, expertise and services to the students and the institute like plantation, cultural activities, sports, blood donation camps, first aid awareness seminars, cleanliness campaigns, donations and fund raising programs, rallies for student and societal progress.
• The women empowerment cell promotes gender equality, women empowerment, addressing gender bias, discrimination by conducting workshops, awareness programs on health, well –being, creating safe environment and a culture of respect and empathy towards women.
• The institute constitutes other cells and committees to ensure the efficient and effective running of the institution.

ACADEMIC AUDITING

Academic auditing involves a systematic conducting of annual auditing in every department under the advice and direction of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The internal and external experts of the committee evaluates the quality and effectiveness of academic policies, programs, internal and external examinations, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, feedback mechanisms and mentoring, to maintain academic standards.

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (FDP)

To build the gap between quality research and teaching skills among the faculty members, Faculty Development Programs are provided periodically. The programs enhance pedagogical skills meeting future industry demands and improve intellectual environment in the institution.

PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (PDP)

Personality Development Program offers personal and professional skill enhancement, communication, interpersonal skills by expert guest lectures, seminars, counselors and senior faculty for the overall development, well-being and positive mindset among the students.

PLACEMENT ACTIVITIES

Placement facilitates internships, career opportunities and job placements by connecting students and potential employers. The Training and Placement Cell (T&P Cell) conducts resume building workshops, skill development workshops, career counseling, mock interviews, technical and skill based certification courses, online placement platforms, to bridge the gap between Campus and Corporate World.