Mr. C.K. Talukdar, Principal i/c Chairman Dr. C. Densingh Coordinator Mr. P. Talukdar Asstt. Coordinator Dr. Durgeswar Barman Asstt. Coordinator Mrs. D. Kalita Asstt. Coordinator Mr. A.K. Sadhu Advisor Mr. L.C. Baruah Member Mr. H. Raja Member Mr. A.K. Medhi Member Mr. J.K. Gupta Member

Report of the Peer Team on Institutional Accreditation of B.H.B. College, Sarupeta.

Section 1: Preface

B. H. B. College volunteered to be assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and conducted the preliminary self-study in June,2003. The self-study report was submitted to NAAC by the institution in December 2003. A peer team was constituted by the Council to visit the institution and validate the self-study report. The peer team consisting of Prof. Atul Sarma, Vice Chancellor, Arunachal University as Chairperson, Dr. R. N. Mishra, Principal , G. M. College as Member Coordinator and Dr. Nihar Ranjan Patnaik, Prof of History, Ravenshaw College  Cuttack as Member visited the institution on 29th  to 30th September, 2004.

The College at Sarupeta in Barpeta district of Assam was established in July 1971 in a backward district with rural surrounding. At the   time of inception it had student strength of only 18 and has now about 400 students. It is affiliated to Gauhati University. The college was brought under deficit grants in aid scheme of the Government of Assam in September 1983 though it was initially established at the private initiative and with public donations in cash and kind. It was recognized by the University Grants Commission under 2 (f) of the UGC Act 1956 in 1995.

The College has a campus spreading over 9.3 acres of government allotted land. It has developed reasonably good infrastructure.  It offers undergraduate programmes in Arts leading to B.A. Degree of Gauhati University in eleven disciplines- Assamese, English, Education, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Political Science Philosophy, Sanskrit. Arabic, Bodo and Computer Applications. In regard to MIL, students have been given the flexibility of choice amongst Assamese, Alternative English, Arabic and Bodo    It also offers major in six disciplines viz. Assamese, English, Education, Economics, Political Science and Philosophy.  The College introduced UGC sponsored vocational course in Functional English from 2002-03 and another three career oriented programmes-Creative Writing, Entrepreneurship in small-scale industries and Early Child Care and Education from 2004-05

There are 21 permanent, eight temporary and four part-time teachers of which three teachers have Ph.D. and one has M.Phil. Degree. Out of 33 teachers, ten are women. Non-teaching staff adds up to 14 inclusive of one Technical staff.

The College has more than 400 students at the TDC level leaving aside more than 375 students at higher secondary level. More than 60% of the TDC student is girl. Students are largely from the nearby rural areas. More than 25 % belong to the ST/SC & OBC category and another one quarter comes from linguistic and religious minorities. Thus the College caters to the needs of higher education for different sections of the rural population in and around Sarupeta.  The success rate of the students is about 50%.  Significantly, the dropout rate is disproportionately is high at about 30%.

The College has a Central Library, Computer Centre, Common rooms, Sports facilities, Gymnasium, Canteen, Water treatment plant, Career counseling and Grievance Redressal Cells. The College Library has 6980 books and seven journals in addition to departmental libraries and the book bank donated by an alumnus.

Out of 223 working days the College observes 170 teaching days. The unit cost of education of the College including the salary component is Rs. 22069 and Rs 11460 exclusive of salary. The unit cost includes the cost of providing higher secondary education. It has some welfare schemes for employees.

The peer team carefully perused and analyzed the self-study report submitted by the institution. During institutional visit, the team went through all the relevant documents, visited the departments and the facilities, and interacted with the various constituents of the institution. The academic, co-curricular, extra-curricular, sports and extension facilities of the institution were visited. The peer team also interacted at length with the Governing Body, Head of the institution, faculty, non-teaching staff, students, and parents and alumnae of the institution. Based on the above exercise, and keeping in mind the criteria identified by NAAC, the peer team has taken the value judgment. The assessment of the institution under various criteria, the commendable features of the institution as well as the issues of concern are given in the following pages.

Section 2: Criterion-wise Analysis

Criterion I: Curricular Aspects

As an affiliated college of Gauhati University, the college follows the syllabi prescribed by the University for the Programmes it offers in Humanities and other career/job oriented self financing courses. The college has adopted non-semester (annual) pattern in keeping with the Gauhati University regulations. As indicated earlier, the college has introduced a couple of job-oriented courses as elective options. In addition, the college has introduced recently a first level computer course on self-financing basis.

To introduce a new programme within the regulations of the present university system, the college takes one to two years and the university permits only two courses at a time to be introduced. The college has introduced four vocational/career-oriented courses as mentioned above The NSS section unit of the college has been doing fish farming.

Additionally, the college has enhanced its relevance to its neighborhood by way of involving alumni in diary and cattle farming in its campus. Similarly, a weaving center has been set up under the active participation of a lady teacher with skill in weaving to impart training in weaving to 12 local girls.

The college is represented at the different bodies including Board of Studies of the university. Such association has provided an opportunity for interaction with the parent university and for making suggestions and observations about academic issues thus helping in bringing suitable changes periodically.  

The college conducts occasionally seminars and workshops and invites guest lecturers to supplement academic inputs and enhance awareness of the issues and problems relevant to the college community. On the whole. the programmes are generally in conformity with the mission, goals and objectives of the institution. Impressive women participation in college education and transfer  of skills is widely perceived as one of the major contribution of the college located in the backward rural environment.

Criterion II: Teaching-Learning and Evaluation

Admission to the various courses of study in the day college is in accordance with the policy of reservation of the Govt. of Assam.. Even in the self-financing Certificate and Diploma in Basic Knowledge in computer applications outside the normal working hours, the college attempts to give exposure the underprivileged by offering the course at nominal price. The number of beneficiaries adds up to 75 in the past one year.

There is no entrance examination for admission and students are admitted on the academic performance in the preceding examinations. The college adheres to .the minimum of 30% for pass courses and 40 % for major courses. In the situation of overcrowding the college conducts aptitude test Though there is no remedial or bridge course for backward learners, teachers generally take care of such students by devoting extra hours at an informal level. The college has also provided for tutorial classes in the normal routine. Though the university regulation does not provide for internal assessment, teachers regularly conduct three unit tests and students are informed of their respective performance and remedial measures are taken..

At the beginning of each term, a teaching plan is drawn up by a senior staff of each department. The syllabi is unitized according to the annual system of teaching. Apart from unit tests, Mid-term tests and terminal exams are conducted. The final examination is designed and conducted by the University of Gauhati.

The use of overhead projectors and audio visual aids supplements classroom teaching in some of the departments. However, there is need to develop a centralized audio- visual facility for easy access of equipment to faculty for use in the classroom and to develop their own teaching aids. Character and personality development is promoted through yoga, elocution, debate competition and symposia. The college has a debating and literary society. Leadership training programmes are conducted under NSS.  The association activities of some departments provide scope for extra curricular and co-curricular learning.

Due to the total freeze on recruitment by the state government, the management has provided for 12 teaching hands on temporary/part-time basis out of its own fund though at a very nominal rate of remuneration.  The college encourages teachers to avail of the faculty improvement programme of the UGC, major and minor research projects, and participation in regional and national seminars/workshops apart from their participation in the refresher and orientation programmes. There is institutional mechanism for faculty performance appraisal.

Criterion  III: Research, Consultancy  and Extension

A quarter of permanent faculty has been engaged in research in addition to their normal teaching responsibilities. Four faculty members have taken up minor research project than 50% of teachers are engaged in active research in the college. There are three ongoing research projects funded by the UGC

The college publishes magazine and news bulletin. The Department of Assamese and English departments have brought literary magazines.

The NCC is very active in the college. At times of natural calamity the entire college participates in relief works under the umbrella of NCC and NSS.. The college has a full-time NCC officer who regularly takes parade and organizes camps.

The NSS with its motto ‘Service to humanity’, organizes Medical camp, Adult education, Community development, and awareness programmes on Aids, mass literacy drive, health and hygiene programmes. It has adopted three villages where all the above activities have been conducted. A trained officer heads the NSS unit. The needy students of the college are given financial aid There is scope for further utilization of student potential for extension activities and outreach programmes especially in the field of women empowerment.

Criterion IV: Infrastructure and Learning Resources

During the past three and a half decade the college has expanded its infrastructural facilities in the form of buildings, library, laboratories and computer as well as a generator to meet the frequent power failure situations. A library cum reading room and a conference hall and a 30-seated women’s hostel are under construction with the development grants of the   UGC and the state government. These are expected to be completed shortly. The college undertakes maintenance work under the supervision of a college construction committee. Development fee collected from students are utilized for the purpose.

Almost all departments have libraries of their own for the use of students. The books are however limited in number which call for further enlargement. With the new library block being constructed, more space could be provided to the students to browse through the books. Apart from the limited computer facilities available at the computer centre, the department of English, library   and the Principal’s office have computers. The computers are maintained internally and occasionally from an external agency. The central library has fully computerized its acquisition. It has also reprographic facility for students.  Computer facility may be augmented to meet the growing needs of students. Internet facility is not available at present even though it was installed but did not work properly due to poor support of the provider viz. BSNL. It has to be revamped.  The college has sought financial support from the UGC. In view of widely felt need internet facility has to be revamped.

The college has facilities for sports and games such as football, volleyball, a spacious playground, basketball court, table tennis, badminton, and cricket. The Volley Ball and Foot Ball of the College respectively in Inter College Competition (2001-02), Gauhati University. A trained Yoga Teacher conducts regularly Yoga Classes on honorary basis.

Criterion V: Student Support and Progression

The College publishes an updated prospectus at the time of admission into the first year. The prospectus contains detailed information on the missions of the College, programmes and courses offered, fee structure, facilities available, list of faculty members etc. 

All the students of the College are from within the State of Assam. The College has no special provision for overseas students.

The pass percentage of the student from the college  is higher ( 50%) than the overall percentage of the University ( around 40%), indicating better than average performance, Some students of B.H.B College have received State and National Merit scholarships and stipends.

The College has a Career Counselling Cell with a teacher acting as the Co-ordinator. He advises the students on career opportunities and encourages them to go into self-employment. The Cell has considerable scope for organising the Counselling activities more effectively. The teachers are available for academic and personal counselling for the students. 

The College tries to provide a variety of recreational facilities for all round development of the students. Apart from the indoor and outdoor games, the students take part in debating, cultural programmes and one act plays. Some of the students contribute Articles in wall Magazines/College Magazines.

The ex-students of the College have formed an Alumni Association. The Association has started to raise funds for the development of the College. One of the Alumni has contributed books worth Rs. 1 Laks. And another one has contributed artefacts for folk culture Museum. Further the association has donated fund for erecting the College Gate. On the whole the involvement, enthusiastic and pro active role of the Alumni is highly commendable.

Criterion VI: Organisation and Management

A Governing Body (GB) consisting of 10 members is managing the College. This is not brought in alignment with the Assam Aided College Management Rules, 1976, as amended in June 2001, It is because the GB constituted prior to the amendment is still in operation. One major deviation from the amended Act relates to the absence of any teachers’ representatives. The principal is the academic and administrative head of the institution. He runs the day to day administration of the College under the broad supervision of the GB constituted according to the provisions of the earlier Act. The GB usually accepts the recommendations made by Selection Committees in matters of appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff

The GB, after its formation in 2001, has introduced several good practices and taken several developments initiatives. The notable among these are introduction of the system of self-appraisal by teachers, filling up of vacant posts of teachers and appointing part-time teachers according to requirement, starting some add-on courses, construction of a new women’s hostel and formation of an Alumni Association. The college has constituted several committees to look after the Academic matters, granting of scholarships, liaison with UGC, preparation of academic calendar and the college routine, Sports and Physical Education and conduct of election of the Students’ Union.

The Academic Committee prepares the Academic Calendar, updates the prospectus and the general routine. It determines the modality of reviewing the self-appraisal reports of teachers and takes necessary steps to maintain discipline in the College.  The Admission Committee is in charge of conducting the admission process to both degree and Higher Secondary classes.. Besides these, the Examination Committee, the Library Committee, Seminar Forum and the Career Guidance and Counselling Cell function within the demarcated areas of responsibilities. The functioning of the Committees is expected to facilitate decentralisation and transparency of administration. The Science Society constituted in the College has conducted several useful awareness programmes so as to promote scientific temper of students, teachers and the neighbouring community at large.

The directives of the State Government guide the tuition fees charged for the colleges under deficit scheme and these are uniform all over the State. Additionally however the College Management has introduced a development fee of Rs. 200/- per annum from every student.

The College prepares its annual budget and obtains the approval of GB. The  expenditure is made in conformity with the budget provisions. The College has a system of Internal Audit and the GB appoints the auditor. The auditing by the internal auditor is up to date till March 31, 2004. But the auditing by the local fund auditor as mandatory is far behind- the last audit being in 1994. It is noted that the college does not maintain an asset/stock register which is not in keeping with the principle of sound financial management. It is desirable that the college introduces proper inventory management system.

Criterion VII: Healthy Practices

The Peer Team has identified some good practices that have contributed to the improvement of the administration and academic performance of the College. These are listed below :

Section 3:  Overall Analysis

The peer team, after going through the self-study report and after its visit to various academic and physical infrastructure and facilities, is very impressed.  It  is of the view that the college has  progressed relating itself to the goals and objectives of promoting higher education among the disadvantaged sections of population in a highly backward rural areas ravaged by recurring natural calamities. Its single most important contribution rests on its ability in mass participation of women in higher education.

Having said this, we have also noted a few areas of concern that the college authority should address

The peer team is of the opinion that this exercise will be useful to the institution to initiate the quality enhancement strategies towards further growth and development.

Finally, the Peer Team is pleased to note the contribution of the college in spreading higher education among the weaker section of the society in this part of Assam. Its progress and achievements are noteworthy. Even so, it is still to aim at reaching out newer horizon of learning and higher academic heights.

The Peer Team greatly appreciates the enthusiasm and commitment of the Principal and his colleagues in the progress of the institution. The Peer Team compliments the entire academic community of the College for maintaining congenial atmosphere and ambience for pursuit of knowledge and skill.

The members of the Peer Team would like to place on record their sincere thanks to the Principal, President and members of the GB, Co-ordinator, Internal quality Assurance Cell, faculty, non-teaching staff, students, parents of the students and alumni for their co-operation and assistance during the visit of the NAAC Peer Team.