Introduction:
In order set up and maintain standards in academics, administration and clinical teaching functions of the college, the JSS College of Physiotherapy decided to constitute the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC).This would enable efficient monitoring of standards of the education in the institution, as per guidelines of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
Since its inception, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the college has been working on developing quality and monitoring performance indicators for the institution. The IQAC has been instrumental creating and adhering to the standards of all the 7 criteria, as per the NAAC. Through its regular meetings, the IQAC monitors, reviews and suggests to the college on the progress made by its departments on the defined action plan.
The IQAC has defined the Vision and Mission of the college, in consultation with the parent institution, the JSS Mahavidyapeetha. It has also evolved the strategic plans for the college and has aligned the core values to be incorporated into each of its activities.
Composition of NAAC Committee (IQAC)
The IQAC was constituted in the year 2017 under the chairmanship of Principal, with assistance by a Coordinator, and senior faculty members. At its inception, chairman nominated the following faculty under it:
- Dr Kavitha Raja - Chairperson- Principal
- Mrs Annie Thomas - Coordinator
- Mr Jakson K Joseph, Mr Vijay Samuel Raj - Members
Goals
- To develop a quality system for conscious, consistent and catalytic programmed action to improve the academic, clinical and administrative performance of the College.
- To promote measures for institutional functioning towards quality enhancement through internationalization of quality culture and institutionalization of best practices.
The has the following functions
- Development and application of quality benchmarks/parameters for the various academic, clinical and administrative activities of the Colleges;
- Arrangement for feedback responses from students, parents and other stakeholders on quality related institutional processes;
- Documentation of the various programmes/activities of the College, leading to quality improvement;
- Acting as a nodal agency of the college for coordinating quality-related activities, including adoption and dissemination of good practices.
- Development of the Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) of the College as per the parameters set by the NAAC, to which it is applying for accreditation, as well as the NABH, to which the JSS hospital (where the students are posted for clinical exposure) is accredited.
- The has created its exclusive window on its website, to regularly report on its activities.
The term for the faculty is 2 years. For decentralization and efficient monitoring of the college, the IQAC decided to audit the functioning of the college under three broad areas-Academics, Administration and Clinical (fig 1-1).
Checklist for auditing was prepared and Mr Jakson was in charge of Academics, Mr Bipin was in charge of Clinical and Mr Vijay Samuel was in charge of administration. It was decided to have an audit every three months and at the end of it, report was to be submitted to the Chairman. Based on the audit, suitable action could be taken.
This has enabled the IQAC to act as an efficient body in monitoring the functioning of the college. This has improved the standards in curriculum delivery, clinical teaching and administration of the college.
Highlights of improvements seen in the functioning of the college-
- Reforms in conduction of internal assessment:
- The IQAC suggested in having double valuation of theory answer scripts instead of one, and a further third valuation, whenever there is a deviation of more than 15% in the two valuations.
- Re examination for students who fail to score 50%.
- Initiation of faculty development programme: has enabled the faculty to improve their levels of knowledge and become competent with national standards. Many of them have bagged awards/ prizes in conferences/ presentations.
- Constitution of Institution Review Committee to scrutinize all research papers from faculty as well as students, to be published nationally and internationally. Many of the papers have been published in indexed journals and some of the students have also bagged awards in presentations in national conferences.
- The college has received several research grants received from various agencies, and the numbers have gone up substantially. This has enabled appointment of three research associates exclusively for working on grants, and many more are in line to join as research associates.
- Orientation to newly appointed faculty and non teaching staff.
- Improvements in the library services and addition of new books/journals each year.
- Good practices of the institution - evolution of and adherence to SOPs and SCALB.
With the resignation of the Coordinator- Mrs Annie Thomas as well as one of the members-Mr. Jakson, the committee was re constituted in 2018 and the following members were nominated:
- Dr Kavitha Raja - Chairperson- Principal
- Mr Vijay Samuel Raj- Clinical in charge. - Coordinator
- Mrs Renukadevi M- Academic in charge, Mr Prashanth V M (Administration in charge), Mrs Suvarna - Members
- Mrs Drakshayini, Mr Mahadevappa, Mr Niranjan - Non teaching staff
