Vagdevi Degree College Logo

VAGDEVI DEGREE COLLEGE

(AUTONOMOUS)

( Sponsored by Sai Vagdevi Educational Society )

IQAC

Best Practices

The institutional practices the college puts forward for quality assessment.

Best Practice 1

Mentoring System

Objectives of the Practice

  • To provide more contact hours between teachers and students.
  • To maintain proper academic and attendance records of students.
  • To minimize drop-out rates of students.
  • To identify slow learners and advanced learners.

Context

The institute has implemented the mentoring system in accordance with IQAC, Higher Education's recommendations. The institute deemed it essential to incorporate this system into the college management system. In the past three years, it had swiftly and successfully implemented it. With a diverse student population in terms of educational and economic background, the system promises to provide a deeper understanding of each student and maximize their potential, thereby reducing the number of students who drop out.

The Practice

The IQAC had initiated the implementation of this system. Each year, the students' names are collected and arranged according to their subject preferences. Depending on the number of students, they are separated into groups of 20 to 25 individuals. Each group is assigned a teacher/mentor who is responsible for collecting individual students' academic performance and class attendance. The teacher/mentor is provided with pertinent information about their mentees and is expected to provide guidance and counselling as needed. On the recommendation of the mentor, parents are called to special meetings with the principal in rare instances. Faculty mentoring is conducted formally or informally by a senior faculty member or group of faculty members, to assist junior faculty in reaching their full potential as instructors, researchers, and administrators.

Evidence of Success

Even though the system has only been in place for a few years, the teacher-student relationship has improved significantly. The system has proven useful for distinguishing between slow and advanced learners. For slow learners, the institute organizes remedial classes on various subjects within the curriculum, based on the requirements deduced from a thorough examination of each mentor's report. Following the implementation of this system, remedial classes have become systematized. There appears to be a decrease in the number of students who drop out because mentors can intervene before a student falls below the attendance threshold or has been chronically absent.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

The assignment of students to groups proves to be a tiresome process, with some students occasionally choosing different courses. Time restrictions prevent the mentor/teacher from spending enough time with the mentees. The ability of the mentors to provide assistance is limited by the fact that the majority of our students are reserved and some are too complacent to share their problems.

Outcome

The mentoring system has been effectively implemented. Some enhancements need to be carried out to make the mentoring system more effective.

Best Practice 2

Campus Recruitment Training

Objectives of the Practice

  • To prepare students for placement activities.
  • To understand the significance of pre-placement preparations.
  • To organize pre-placement training, mock interviews, workshops, and seminars for students.
  • To teach students the oral and written communication skills and knowledge necessary to successfully navigate the placement process.

The Practice

The rigorous training program is meticulously planned and executed by senior faculty members with distinguished credentials in their respective fields of expertise. CRT is an intense placement-oriented drill. The purpose of the training is to prepare students for upcoming drives. Intensive training is provided on the technical and fundamental knowledge of all streams. The purpose of aptitude training programs is to evaluate and improve the problem-solving ability of candidates. Regular tests of analytical and logical reasoning are administered to enhance their skills, along with group discussions on contemporary topics and feedback on their mistakes.

Evidence of Success

To boost confidence, specialized training on communication, attitude, confidence, and behaviour skills is provided, and students engage in mock interviews and resume writing exercises. The program is initiated with a clear vision to provide placements for students from rural areas within a 20-kilometre radius of Narasaraopet. The institution's sincere efforts have begun yielding very positive results, and the data collected over the years indicate that the college's students were exemplary and became role models for their younger peers.

Problems Encountered

The majority of students at the college come from rural areas and speak Telugu as their primary language. Communication skills deficiency is one of the greatest obstacles to campus interviews, so special consideration must be given to enhancing their skills in areas such as communication and personality development. CRT classes are occasionally held outside of normal college hours, and a few students were unable to attend due to logistical issues. Due to the institute's location in a semi-urban area, numerous multinational corporations were hesitant to visit our campus.