5. ICAR ACCREDITAION
SYSTEM
5.1 Accreditation
Statement
Accreditation is a process of
assuring acceptable institutional quality and a tool
for improving educational standards. The process
intends to improve and sustain quality and integrity
of education, and to improve transferability and
marketability of students nationally and
internationally. Accreditation status of an
institution will constitute a statement to general
public that:
- It has clearly defined
and appropriate objectives.
- It has established an
environment that makes achievements of these
objectives possible.
- It is accomplishing its
objectives substantially.
- It is so organized,
staffed and supported that it is expected to
continue to do so.
5.2 Accreditation
Criteria
The statement to the general
public regarding the status of an accredited
institution must reflect in accreditation criteria.
Therefore, following four criteria have been fixed.
Criterion 1:
The institution has clear and publicly stated
objectives consistent with its mission and goals.
Evidences required to meet
this criterion are existence of :
- Short and long term
institutional goals and objectives, and
mechanism for their understanding by
different constituents of the university.
- Sound decision making
process.
- Review and evaluation
process.
- Public information system
including published materials
- Commitment to the
excellence.
Criterion 2:
The institution has organized effectively human,
financial and physical resources, necessary to
accomplish its objectives.
Evidences required to meet
this criterion are existence of :
- Board of Management of
appropriate people.
- Effective administration
through well defined policies, procedures and
organizational structure.
- Faculty members with
appropriate educational credentials.
- Sufficient number of
students in various programs and students
services .
- Safe and healthy
environment for faculty, staff and students.
- Physical facilities for
good teaching and learning.
- Adequate infrastructure
and academic resources.
- Adequate financial
resources.
Criterion 3: The
institution is accomplishing its educational
objectives.
Evidences required to meet
this criterion are existence of:
- Educational programs that
are clearly defined and properly executed.
- Appropriate assessment
mechanism for academic achievements.
- Transcript that
accurately reflect students learning.
- On-going support for
professional development of faculty, staff
and administrators.
- Evidence of salient
achievement in education, research and
extension.
Criterion 4: The
institution can continue to accomplish its objectives
and improve its quality of educational programs and
effectiveness.
Evidences required to meet
this criterion are existence of:
- Resource base - human,
physical and financial.
- Structured assessment
process that are continuous.
- Effective planning
process.
- Commitment from
appropriate authorities for continued
support.
5.3 Three Tier
Accreditation System
- University accreditation
- College accreditation
- Individual program,
faculty and departmental accreditation
5.4 Accreditation
Period
- The accreditation will be
done for the first time after successful
completion of at least one batch of students.
- After the fist
accreditation, the re-accreditation will be
done periodically, after an interval of 5-10
years.
5.5 Specialty of ICAR
Accreditation system
- Accreditation is
voluntarily in nature and not mandatory as in
case of AICTE, MCI, VCI, etc.
- Financial assistance
linked with the accreditation status of an
institution.
- No grading of an
institution / program, an emerging trend
world-wide.
- If accredited with
conditions, the stipulated conditions have to
be met within the specified time frame.
- In case of
non-compliance, ICAR financial assistance may
be reduced / stopped.
5.6 General
Institutional Requirements
An institution to meet the
four basic criteria for accreditation must fulfil
certain requirements. These are termed as General
Institutional Requirements (GIR) and include:
- Authorization
- Governance
- Mission, goals and
objectives
- Academic programs
- Faculty and other human
resources
- Students development
- Library and other
learning resources
- Physical facilities
- Financial resources
- Research and extension
education
- Other units and public
information system
5.7 Steps in
Accreditation Process
The accreditation process
involves following four steps.
- The institutional
self-study report aimed at examining how an
institution meets the criteria and the
general institutional requirements.
- Evaluation team visits
institution to validate self-study report.
- Review of the self-study
and peer team reports, and also response from
the institution by the Accreditation Board
Secretariat, and submission of its
recommendations to the Accreditation Board.
- Final decision on the
accreditation status of the institution by
the Board.
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