The IQAC was established on 1st July 2004

In pursuance of its Action Plan for performance evaluation, assessment and accreditation and quality up-gradation of institutions of higher education, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore proposes that every accredited institution should establish an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) as a quality sustenance measure. Since quality enhancement is a continuous process, the IQAC will become a part of the institution’s system and work towards realization of the goals of quality enhancement and sustenance. The prime task of the IQAC is to develop a system for conscious, consistent and catalytic improvement in the overall performance of institutions. For this, during the post-accreditation period, institutions need to channelize its efforts and measures towards promoting the holistic academic excellence including the peer committee recommendations.  The guidelines provided in the following pages will guide and facilitate the institution in the creation and operation of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC).  The work of the IQAC is the first step towards internalization and institutionalization of quality enhancement initiatives.  Its success depends upon the sense of belongingness and participation in all the constituents of the institution. It will not be yet another hierarchical structure or a record-keeping exercise in the institution. It will be a facilitative and participative voluntary system/unit/organ of the institution. It has the potential to become a vehicle for ushering in quality enhancement by working out planned interventionist strategies by IQAC to remove deficiencies and enhance quality like the “Quality Circles” in industries.

Operational Features of the IQAC

 Quality assurance is a by-product of ongoing efforts to define the objectives of an institution, to have a work plan to achieve them and to specify the checks and balances to evaluate the degree to which each of the tasks is fulfilled. Hence devotion and commitment to improvement rather than mere institutional control is the basis for devising procedures and instruments for assuring quality. The right balance between the health and growth of an institution needs to be struck. The IQAC has to ensure that whatever is done in the institution for “education” is done efficiently and effectively with high standards. In order to do this, the IQAC will have to first establish procedures and modalities to collect data and information on various aspects of institutional functioning. The coordinator of the IQAC will have a major role in implementing these functions. The IQAC may derive major support from the already existing units and mechanisms that contribute to the functions listed above. The operational features and functions discussed

Functions

Some of the functions expected of the IQAC are:

a) Development and application of quality benchmarks.

b) Parameters for various academic and administrative activities of the institution.

c) Facilitating the creation of a learner-centric environment conducive to quality education and faculty maturation to adopt the required knowledge and technology for participatory teaching and learning process.

d) Collection and analysis of feedback from all stakeholders on quality-related institutional processes.

e)Dissemination of information on various quality parameters to all stakeholders.

f) Organization of inter and intra institutional workshops, seminars on quality related themes and promotion of quality circles.

g) Documentation of the various programmes/activities leading to quality improvement.

h) Acting as a nodal agency of the Institution for coordinating quality-related activities, including adoption and dissemination of best practices.

i) Development and maintenance of institutional database through MIS for the purpose of maintaining /enhancing the institutional quality.

j) Periodical conduct of Academic and Administrative Audit and its follow-up.

k) Preparation and submission of the Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) as per guidelines and parameters of NAAC.

Benefits

IQAC will facilitate / contribute to 

 a) Ensure clarity and focus in institutional functioning towards quality enhancement.

b) Ensure internalization of the quality culture.

c) Ensure enhancement and coordination among various activities of the institution and institutionalize all good practices.

d) Provide a sound basis for decision-making to improve institutional functioning.

e) Act as a dynamic system for quality changes in HEIs.

f) Build an organized methodology of documentation and internal communication.