Executive Summary - St. Albert`s College, Ernakulam

St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam
Executive Summary
St. Albert’s College is an accredited first grade Arts, Science and Commerce College
well acclaimed for its academic excellence, curriculum development and innovative
research. It is a name to reckon with in sports, literary and extra-curricular fields. St.
Albert’s as an institution came into existence as a modest primary school in 1892
established by the Carmelite Missionaries and was raised to a High School in 1898.
The College owes its origin to the foresight and sagacity of its founder Patron, Most
Rev. Dr. Joseph Attipetty, the first indigenous Archbishop, for promoting higher
education and for the upliftment of backward and minority communities in the city.
Today, it is one of the largest first grade educational institutions in the State of Kerala,
affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, functioning under the
management of the Archdiocese of Verapoly.
St. Albert’s High School which was upgraded as a junior College began functioning
on 16th July 1946 in the old High School building with 150 students in the
intermediate class. Degree courses were introduced in 1947 and subsequently, classes
were shifted to the new building just opposite to the old school building in 1951. With
15 undergraduate courses, 12 postgraduate courses including the Master’s programme
in Business Administration, Space Science and Technology and 5 Doctoral research
centers, St. Albert’s College is indeed a front – runner in the field of higher education.
Spreading its wings, the College Management commenced its services in the field of
science and technology by establishing Albertian Institute of Science and Technology
(AISAT), Kalamassery.
Throughout its history, the College has enjoyed the vision and the benevolent services
of many great men of God. The College celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1996-97 and
then began a new era of job oriented courses. During the time of the Most Rev. Dr.
Daniel Acharuparambil, the former patron, a visionary and a philosopher, the College
reached new heights in academic excellence. In 2009 the college was awarded A
grade with CGPA of 3.23 out of 4 by NAAC. In 2010, the College was recertified for
ISO 9001:2008 by TUV Rheinland. The college has been selected under FIST
Scheme of DST and Star College Programme DBT. The institution’s distinctive
characteristics mainly address the needs of the society, the students it seeks to serve,
Self Study Report, May 2015
Page 3
St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam
its own traditions, value orientations and vision for the future. The vision of the
college is to be a centre of excellence through the process of self-evaluation and
continual renewal in all its endeavors, namely, learning, teaching, research,
consultancy and other related services.
The mission of the institution takes inspiration from the Eternal Teacher, Jesus Christ,
and the college strives towards equipping young people to meet the challenges of
these modern times by providing an all- round formation. The college exists for
students and does its best to provide them with a participative and growth oriented
ambience. The College does everything to ensure excellent standards that would
secure them leadership in tomorrow’s challenging world.
The Quality Policy is evolved through meetings and interactions of the Management,
Staff members, Students, Alumni members and other Stake holders. The management
welcomes suggestions from all quarters; even from individuals personally for the
improvement, effectiveness and efficiency of the institutional processes. Regular
SWOT analysis of the institution with stake holders helps in formulating policies.
The college aims to ensure excellent standards that would secure its students
international acclaim and leadership in tomorrow’s challenging world. The college
has been rated as one among the best Colleges in the City by Nielsen- India Today
survey. In 2014, the commerce department was adjudged one of the best 50 colleges
in India. In 2012, DBT conferred Star College Scheme to the College. The institution
has played a pivotal role in the development of the curriculum by introducing new and
innovative courses such as Space Science, Medical Microbiology, Industrial Fish and
Fisheries, Aquaculture, B.Voc Logistics and Renewable Energy courses. The faculty
members are also involved in novel research activities especially in the areas of
Conservation of Endangered Species, Taxonomy, Toxicology, Aquaponics, Ethnicity
and Analytical Chemistry. Conservation Research Group (CRG), the College’s
Pioneer Research group has been recognized as one of the best ten among the world
in Conservation Studies among educational institutions.
The College follows a transparent online admission process. From 2013 onwards,
Community and Management admissions by the College are carried out through inhouse software. The knowledge and skills of the students are measured by means of
Self Study Report, May 2015
Page 4
St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam
interview during the admission process and also through a written aptitude test just
after the admission. Orientation Programmes, Bridge Classes and Remedial Coaching
are also given to bridge the knowledge gap. Concepts such as creativity, innovative
ideas, motivating others, caring about others, application of knowledge gained in class
room etc. are part of the formative evaluation. The supportive systems like tutor ing,
mentoring, different committees like feedback committee etc., and finishing schools
are used to achieve these goals. The spacious and fully automated Library with a
seating capacity of around 250 operates for 9 hours a day. It has been added with over
13908 books including international journals costing over Rs. 19,96,907 lakhs in the
last 5 years. It makes use of ICT and other tools like OPAC, Electronic Resource
Management Package, Federated Searching Tools, Website, Printers & Computers
connected with internet, D-Space, Content Management system, Resource-sharing
networks/consortia, 3D Lab facility, etc. The library has 61261 books and 90 journals
and the Book Bank caters to the needs of poor students.
St. Albert’s College has a total of 5 doctoral research centers in the areas of
Commerce, Mathematics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology. The college grants full
autonomy to the principle research investigator and ensures the prompt release of
funds as and when they are received. There are 43 Major and Minor Projects currently
running. In order to promote scientific temper and research aptitude, regular talks by
eminent scientists and visits to major research labs are conducted by the college.
There are 22 research guides in the college who ha ve contributed to the rich research
heritage of the institution. Prioritized research has been conducted in the areas of
Aquaculture, Mathematics, Commerce and Zoology. The staff members also have the
provision of taking sabbatical leave to complete their research work. In order to make
the research work useful various awareness programs are conducted so that the
information from research is passed on to the public. 43% of the faculties have
availed seed money for several research projects and all the research facilities are
centralized so that they are optimally used. The management also provides support to
teachers for presenting their research work in seminars and conferences and provides
them with registration fee and travel allowances for participating in training programs.
The college has received close to Rs. 8 million from various funding agencies
between 2007 and 2014 for research. The staff members are aided by the UGC Cell in
the audit of accounts related to the projects. The college has a spacious library and
Self Study Report, May 2015
Page 5
St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam
several well – equipped computer labs to aid researchers. The research centers work
in tandem with FIST and DBT to explore new areas of research. The college also has
6 in-house magazines which publish research articles by various faculties. 15 staff
members have received recognition from National and International organizations
including a Full Bright Scholarship during the last five years.
The institute’s infrastructure contributes towards academic growth in the form of
Technology enabled classrooms, Seminar halls, Tutorial spaces, State of the Art
Computer Labs, Renewable Energy Lab, Hardware Lab, Space Science Lab,
Interdisciplinary Instrumentation (FIST)
Lab,
Wet Lab,
Botanical Garden,
Psychology and Aqua Farm. The new building under construction will have all the
new generation features and facilities that would serve as a model for other institutes
in the state. The IT Infrastructure (MAC (Apple)/Linux/Windows/Animation),
Language lab and other associated facilities are made use by the faculty and students
for online examinations, student admissions, attendance management, skill
development, etc. The different departments are equipped with LAN, MAN and
SAAS facilities and have 241 computer systems with adequate power backup. The
institution has developed and renovated the college building, multi-purpose indoor
stadium, toilets, staff quarters, hostels and playground. Also, care is being taken to
provide with ramps with rails, drinking water and toilet facilities for students with
physical disabilities. An MoU with the nearby Lourdes Hospital, Medicentre and a
doctor visiting the campus makes the college unique. Other facilities like Counseling
and Career Guidance Centre, Health Centre, Canteen, Ladies Room, Theatre, Parking
System, Chapel, Incinerator, etc. enhance the quality of campus life at St. Albert’s.
The college emphasizes on extra-curricular activities as well to improve the physical
and mental health of the students through sports, outdoor and indoor games,
gymnasium, NSS, NCC, cultural festivals, yoga, health and hygiene programmes etc.
To this list, a Shooting Range, an indoor Basketball court and a Squash Court are to
be added shortly.
The college annually publishes a handbook that contains information related to the Vision and
Mission of the institution, Staff Details, Academic Calendar, Evaluation System, Code of
Conduct, Scholarship details, Grievance Redressal System and Rules & Regulations. All
financial assistance available to students such as scholarships and others are distributed to the
students on time; nearly 50% of students receive financial assistance from state government,
Self Study Report, May 2015
Page 6
St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam
central government and other national agencies every year. The college provides specific
support services/facilities that are available for students from SC/ST, OBC and other
economically weaker sections in the form of reservation, fee concession, scholarships,
and remedial coaching. The college also has an SC/ST monitoring Cell/ Equal
Opportunity Cell and provides coaching for Entry Into Service. Assistance is given in
various forms for participating in various National and International competitions.
Coaching for competitive exams, English speaking skills, Support for slow learners,
Interaction with institutes of higher learning and business houses, Entrepreneurial
skill development are also provided.
A number of socially relevant programmes like AGAPE- building house for a poor
student, Drachma Yon- a rupee a day for the poor are also designed and run by the
institution, Free Meal Programme, Vembanad Fish Count, Organic Manure
Preparation from Water Weeds, Crime Mapping in collaboration with Kottuvally
Panchayath,
Women
Empowerment
Programme
in
Panambukad
Village,
Entrepreneur Development Programme in collaboration with Ernakulam Social
Service Society, Computer Literacy Coaching in Kadamakudy Panchayath and
Enumeration of Coconut Trees in collaboration with the Coconut Development
Board(Govt of Kerala).
The college encourages a gamut of extra-curricular activities for the overall
development of the students. Counseling facilities are available and a full- fledged
career guidance cell is operational. A general grievance cell functions under the
guidance of the Principal and precautions are in place for the overall safety of
students. The college has a very active alumnus. Student progression records are
maintained across all departments and regular feedback is sought from the students.
The College follows decentralized leadership model. The departments are coordinated
well through the College Council under the guidance of the Principal. Welfare
schemes are executed by the co-operative society and the staff club and funds are
maintained to serve the purpose. An annual budget is prepared by the finance
committee in consultation with the planning and evaluation committee after taking
feedbacks and suggestions from all the stake holders. When the expense exceeds the
annual budget the College Management extends financial assistance.
Self Study Report, May 2015
Page 7
St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam
Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the college ensures the quality of various
activities conducted in the college. External members and students also are included
in the committees under this cell. Through Faculty Development Committee and
Professional Development Committee, the institution provides regular training to the
staff. Annual Academic Audit is done for each department. An external agency (TUV
Rheinland) audits the systems regularly and makes necessary suggestions for further
improvement.
As a part of environment consciousness, lots of initiatives are taken by the college.
The college has a Green Audit Committee looking after the environmental issues. The
committee promotes green awareness in the campus as well as in the surrounding
society through staff and students. The college taps solar energy as an alternative
energy source and also has water harvesting system in the campus. A green audit and
a seminar was conducted. The college is a member of the “Green Building Promotion
Council” and focuses on Planting trees, Waste management and Biodiversity.
Initiatives taken by the college to make the campus eco- friendly include energy
conservation, use of Renewable energy, Water harvesting, efforts for Carbon
neutrality, Hazardous waste management and e-waste management. One of the major
aims of the institution is to make a paper free campus by 2020.
Lot of innovative practices have been introduced in the college such as Monthly
Performance Report, Entrepreneurship Skill Development Centre, Bridge Course,
Motivational Awards, Starting Course of National Importance, Faculty Training
Programs, Research Groups, Parental Counseling, Finishing School, 3D assisted
Learning Facility, Smart Class rooms, Achievers’ Da y, Lab Manual Preparation and
Learning Spaces. Evidence shows that all these practices have been successful,
however the collective efforts is being made for further progress. Today under the
benevolent patronage of the Most Rev. Dr. Francis Kallarackal, Metropolitan
Archbishop of Verapoly, the College is marching ahead and moving towards higher
echelons in the field of higher education.
St. Albert’s College, thus, is an educational institution which stands for quality and
humanity without compromises. It imparts holistic education and serves the society by
molding citizens capable of facing challenges of the times; it is a place where lea rning
and service to humanity is a way of life.
Self Study Report, May 2015
Page 8