The Hindu : NAAC will help States set up quality assurance cells

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

NAAC will help States set up quality assurance cells

By K. Ramachandran

CHENNAI, JAN. 17. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has come forward to support State Governments in setting up quality assurance cells (QACs), according to its adviser, Latha Pillai. The cells will be a major initiative in promoting quality and sustaining it in all higher education institutions. "We want State Councils of Higher Education to act as the apex body for such activities. Of course, we leave it to the governments to take up the activities," Dr. Pillai said. The QACs would provide inputs for colleges/universities to prepare self-study reports.

The institutions should send the reports to it to evaluate them and decide on grant of accreditation and quality status. The QAC could also support professional and faculty development programmes in accredited institutions.

Dr. Pillai, who was here to participate in a conference on "developing competitive strengths in institutions of higher learning" organised by the Ethiraj College for Women, told The Hindu that the NAAC would provide funds for setting up the cells. Maharashtra, Hyderabad, West Bengal and Orissa had come forward to take advantage of the proposal.

Though there was growing awareness of quality assurance in colleges and universities, the NAAC was also laying emphasis on sustaining quality in accredited institutions. Many colleges which attained autonomy also secured the NAAC's accreditation. "Some of them start feeling that they have nothing more to achieve." So in pursuance of a National Action Plan, the NAAC proposed that all accredited universities and colleges establish Internal Quality Assurance Cells (IQAC) as a post-accreditation quality sustenance measure.

Guidelines had been provided to institutions for creation and operation of the (IQAC), especially to help in internalisation and institutionalisation of quality enhancement.

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