We must not see NAAC accreditation just as an event
Quality is a concept; it’s a philosophy; it’s a journey; it’s also what we practice. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) strives to create awareness and understanding of quality, and quality assurance in higher education as a necessary ingredient to national development.
The accreditation status in case of higher education signifies that the particular Higher Educational Institutions (HEI) – a College, a University, or any other recognized unit therein achieves the standards of quality as set by the accreditation agency on grounds of performance, linked to the educational processes and outcomes, covering the programmed, teaching-learning, evaluation, faculty, research, infrastructure, learning resources, organization, governance, financial well-being and student services.
From the point of view of students, NAAC grading helps the students to choose the institution for higher studies. Getting the highest grade of A++ for any institute is certainly a great achievement. For the record, many big brands in the field of higher education, living on their past glory or on the strength of an associated corporate brand, have not been able to rise to the challenge which the rigorous NAAC inspection poses.
The inspection is based on both qualitative and quantitative criterions. Guided by its vision, “to establish, maintain and promote centers of excellence for imparting quality professional education in India and abroad” and striving to achieve its mission of “Man Making, Character Building, Nation Building”, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies has always believed in the holistic development of its students.
This is the spur behind our elevation to the highest category after a recent inspection. Shouldering the responsibility of being a HEI, we believe in disseminating relevant knowledge, identifying skill gaps, and running specially designed programs to build the right skills to develop a workforce suitable to the changing needs of the economy. Providing the best state of the art infrastructure along with introducing progressive initiative to hone the cognitive, problem solving, leadership and communication skills of our students has been at the center of the years of efforts that the Institute has put in and will continue to put in to transform “education”.
With various Centers of excellence, numerous value-added and skill enhancement courses, lectures from the best experts in the field, workshops for hands-on experience, VIPS continuously strives to cater to the needs of the changing order of the business environment. The teaching pedagogies followed at the Institute are specially designed to ensure maximum student engagement. Not just intellectual, VIPS caters to the socio-emotional and mental wellbeing of its students and staff. Inner Space – The spiritual Centre at VIPS is a unique offering that provides students and staff a place to unwind and be with oneself. The NAAC A++ grade reflects the untiring efforts and commitment of the Institute towards imparting quality education par excellence.
Constant support and motivation from the management provided additional zeal to the team to take care of any minute change required to present the work more comprehensively and meaningfully. The team worked beyond their comfort zone to take care and cover all technical aspects of the process. Continued commitment to contribute, a visionary leadership and a meticulous team are the key pillars to reaching this milestone in our unstoppable journey.
We must not see NAAC accreditation as an event that concludes with receiving the accreditation certificate. When viewed from the lens of the inspiration and purpose of internal improvements, it gives a new sense of direction to build strength and overcome weaknesses and also helps in strengthening systematic ways of planning. It’s an exercise which every teaching institution should undertake.
(The authors are Chairman and Principal of Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, New Delhi)
