Introduction
As per the guidelines of "National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)", the establishment of "Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC)" is a mandatory requirement for all NAAC-accredited institutions. Recently, Anna University accredited by NAAC in the year 2023 with A++ grade (CGPA 3.54 out of 4). The IQAC of Anna University, since its inception (Since 30.10.2012), has been consistently and actively involved in quality sustainability and quality enhancement activities. It is a participative cell of the University that works on evolving strategies to remove deficiencies and enhance quality, thus channelizing the efforts of the University towards achieving holistic academic excellence.
Objectives
The objectives of the IQAC are to
To develop a system for conscious, consistent and catalytic action to improve the academic and administrative performance of the University.
To promote measures for the institutional functioning towards quality enhancement through internalization of quality culture and institutionalization of best practices.
Accordingly, IQAC strives to evolve mechanisms and procedures for
Ensuring timely, efficient and progressive performance of academic, administrative and financial tasks.
The relevance and quality of academic and research programmes.
Equitable access to and affordability of academic programmes for various sections of society.
Optimization and integration of modern methods of teaching and learning.
The credibility of evaluation procedures.
Ensuring the adequacy, maintenance and proper allocation of support structure and services.
Sharing of research findings and networking with other institutions in India and abroad.
Functions
Some of the functions expected of the IQAC are as follows :
Development and application of quality benchmarks/parameters for various academic and administrative activities of the institution.
Facilitating a learner-centric environment conducive to quality education and faculty maturation to adopt the required knowledge and technology for participatory teaching and learning.
Arrangement for feedback response from students, parents and other stakeholders on quality-related institutional processes.
Dissemination of information on various quality parameters of higher education.
Organization of inter and intra-institutional workshops, seminars on quality-related themes, and promotion of quality circles.
Documentation of the various programmes/activities leading to quality improvement.
Acting as a nodal agency of the Institution for coordinating quality-related activities, including adoption and dissemination of best practices.
Development and maintenance of institutional database through Management Information System (MIS) to maintain/enhance institutional quality.
Development of Quality Culture in the Institution.
Preparation and Submission of the Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) as per guidelines and parameters of NAAC.
Benefits
IQAC will facilitate / contribute
Ensure heightened level of clarity and focus in institutional functioning towards quality enhancement;
Ensure internalization of the quality culture
Ensure enhancement and coordination among various activities of the institution and institutionalize all good practices
Provide a sound basis for decision-making to improve institutional functioning
Act as a dynamic system for quality changes in HEIs
Build an organised methodology of documentation and internal communication.
Monitoring Mechanism
The institutions need to submit yearly the Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) to NAAC. A functional Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and timely submission of Annual Quality Assurance Reports (AQARs) are the Minimum Institutional Requirements (MIR) to volunteer for second, third or subsequent cycle’s accreditation. During the institutional visit the NAAC peer teams will interact with the IQACs to know the progress, functioning as well quality sustenance initiatives undertaken by them
The Annual Quality Assurance Reports (AQAR) may be the part of the Annual Report. The AQAR shall be approved by the statutory bodies of the HEIs (such as Syndicate, Governing Council/Board) for the follow up action for necessary quality enhancement measures.