Quality Systems Update 14th February 2009
The Revised criteria and procedure for undergraduate Engineering Program Accreditation by NBA, the National Board of Accreditation (an arm of AICTE- All India Council for Technical Education) is welcome move.
The NBA has committed to a plan to become a full member of the Washington Accord by June 2009. While joining the Washington Accord has always been on the cards (NBA has been a provisional member from Jun 2007) and often talked about as the direction of NBA, the revision of the accreditation process and public commitment to a plan and dateline are firm steps - long strides, actually- in that direction.
The implications of NBA joining the Washington Accord
The degree of a student from an Accredited Program in India will be considered substantially equivalent to the degree in any of the member countries of the Accord- including USA, UK, Australia and Singapore. Indian students with aspirations for higher studies or career abroad are likely to choose accredited programs over non-accredited programs.
The Revisions
As consultants in the field of Quality in education and specifically for the accreditation process for NBA and NAAC, we are thrilled to observe the improvements in the revised criteria. Most of the revisions are in the direction of what we have been advocating over the years.
The scope now has been expanded, the assessment process made more objective, disclosures/commitments expected for extended periods from the past. Let us give you some instances below so you understand the drift.
Comprehensive Formulae have been prescribed to arrive at the marks for: Faculty Adequacy and their Qualification AND Faculty Activity Points (which considers Teaching, Research and Continuing Education). Both these parameters have a qualifying minimum marks prescribed.
Teachers – Students ratio during the last three years is the criterion for awarding marks. (This means that institutions can no longer hire faculty -'just for the assessment’!!)
The Revised criteria and procedure for undergraduate Engineering Program Accreditation by NBA, the National Board of Accreditation (an arm of AICTE- All India Council for Technical Education) is welcome move.
The NBA has committed to a plan to become a full member of the Washington Accord by June 2009. While joining the Washington Accord has always been on the cards (NBA has been a provisional member from Jun 2007) and often talked about as the direction of NBA, the revision of the accreditation process and public commitment to a plan and dateline are firm steps - long strides, actually- in that direction.
The implications of NBA joining the Washington Accord
The degree of a student from an Accredited Program in India will be considered substantially equivalent to the degree in any of the member countries of the Accord- including USA, UK, Australia and Singapore. Indian students with aspirations for higher studies or career abroad are likely to choose accredited programs over non-accredited programs.
The Revisions
As consultants in the field of Quality in education and specifically for the accreditation process for NBA and NAAC, we are thrilled to observe the improvements in the revised criteria. Most of the revisions are in the direction of what we have been advocating over the years.
The scope now has been expanded, the assessment process made more objective, disclosures/commitments expected for extended periods from the past. Let us give you some instances below so you understand the drift.
Comprehensive Formulae have been prescribed to arrive at the marks for: Faculty Adequacy and their Qualification AND Faculty Activity Points (which considers Teaching, Research and Continuing Education). Both these parameters have a qualifying minimum marks prescribed.
Teachers – Students ratio during the last three years is the criterion for awarding marks. (This means that institutions can no longer hire faculty -'just for the assessment’!!)
What does the revision imply to stakeholders?
The institutions which have been practicing sustainable quality systems over the years will find it easier to achieve accreditation, than those who seek accreditation just as a marketing stamp. Institutions which have invested in processes will be differentiated and reap the benefits.
To NBA, the Assessment and Accreditation committee will now have lesser scope for subjectivity. This ensures that different teams do not arrive at vastly differing conclusions.
To students, the programs that will be accredited under the revised criteria, promise to be qualitatively superior to non-accredited program and may be to even program accredited under the previous criteria.
To us, the revised NBA process is a vindication of our consulting model. Our proformas and prescriptions have been objective and comprehensive; hence needing no change on account of the revised criteria.
Last Word
The revision is positive for Engineering Education in India. Institutions need to internalize the Quality systems and accreditations considered as a by-product of systems and not an end in itself. It may not be long before the revised criteria are adopted for Management, MCA and Diploma & Post-graduate courses.
Quality Systems Co
Enablers of Global Educational Institutions
14, 1st Cross, 2nd Main, Rama Rao Layout,
Katriguppe, BSK 3rd stage, 3rd Phase, Bangalore 560 085.
Email: snrao(at)qualitysystems.co.in
http://www.qualitysystems.co.in
The institutions which have been practicing sustainable quality systems over the years will find it easier to achieve accreditation, than those who seek accreditation just as a marketing stamp. Institutions which have invested in processes will be differentiated and reap the benefits.
To NBA, the Assessment and Accreditation committee will now have lesser scope for subjectivity. This ensures that different teams do not arrive at vastly differing conclusions.
To students, the programs that will be accredited under the revised criteria, promise to be qualitatively superior to non-accredited program and may be to even program accredited under the previous criteria.
To us, the revised NBA process is a vindication of our consulting model. Our proformas and prescriptions have been objective and comprehensive; hence needing no change on account of the revised criteria.
Last Word
The revision is positive for Engineering Education in India. Institutions need to internalize the Quality systems and accreditations considered as a by-product of systems and not an end in itself. It may not be long before the revised criteria are adopted for Management, MCA and Diploma & Post-graduate courses.
Quality Systems Co
Enablers of Global Educational Institutions
14, 1st Cross, 2nd Main, Rama Rao Layout,
Katriguppe, BSK 3rd stage, 3rd Phase, Bangalore 560 085.
Email: snrao(at)qualitysystems.co.in
http://www.qualitysystems.co.in
