UGC peer team visits PCC (A) for assessment

UGC peer team with faculties of Patkai Christian College after the two-day visitation on July 26 and 27. (Photo Courtesy: PCC Autonomous)

Patkai, July 28 (MExN): University Grants Commission (UGC) five-member peer team came on a two-day visit to Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) (PCC) on July 26 and 27 to assess the infrastructural-financial-human resources, teaching-learning processes, adaptation of upgraded technologies, teaching-research and the progress from the last autonomy granted to the College.

Established in 1974, PCC (Autonomous) one of the oldest institutes in the state was first conferred the ‘Autonomous’ status in 2005 and following years, the College had its autonomy extended. This time round, the UGC sent a peer team to assess the college for ‘Autonomy Extension,’ stated a press release from PCC department of Mass Communications.

The team comprising Vice Chancellor, Jadavpur University, Kolkata Professor Suranjan Das; Swami Kamalasthananda, Ramakrishna MVC College, Kolkata; Addl Director, Higher Education, Nagaland,  Dr Watijungshi, Plant Pathology, SASRD, Nagaland University; Dr Tiameren and Educational Officer, UGC-NERO, Guwahati and Dr Nikhil Kumar were accorded warm welcome by the college fraternity.

During the two-day visit to the college campus, the UGC peer team interacted with the college officials, teachers, employees, students and alumni. Apart from interaction, the team visited all the departments and college facilities to take stock of the progress while also assessing the UGC grant projects and verifying the office records. 

In the exit meeting, chairman of the UGC peer team, Professor Suranjan Das advocated the need for a strong research base and asked to combine teaching-research while stating that ‘research informed teaching’ is the need of the hour. He said any academic pursuit demands to move beyond ordinary paradigm and ignite the minds of students through inclusive approach, adding that Patkai has the potential to achieve it.

He further informed that there are various agencies ready to fund the North East region. He also drew the attention of the college on the importance of ‘Public Financial Management System’ and urged them to follow it in order to keep track of funds released and used by the grantee institution made mandatory by the UGC.

Coordinator, UGC peer team, Dr Kumar lauded the college for mentoring unaccredited colleges in the state on the importance of NAAC accreditation, for implementing CBCS, accommodating students from different states, having an Indo-Myanmar Tribal Research Centre and also carrying out co-curricular activities like NSS, NCC, EU, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and Young Indians. 

Swami Kamalasthananda gave impetus on introducing online courses citing examples of e-PG Pathshala, and National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) which are initiatives of the MHRD being executed by the UGC. He also delved on Small Private Online Courses. 

Dr Tiameren representing Nagaland University (NU) put forward that the university is proud of the College for its performance over the years in many areas despite the constraints.

Principal PCC Husazu Epao thanked the UGC peer team for the suggestions and assured to implement in toto.  In support of the faculties of the college with Ph.D degrees, the Principal urged the NU representative to consider the teachers for Ph.D guide ship and not limit them to Co-guide ship.   

The UGC peer team’s visit ended with series of meetings with faculties, staffs and students. The team emphasised on strengthening the research cell while underscoring the importance of teachers’ orientation programme. The peer team also had interactive round with the students taking note of their expectations.