Assessment Report for Institutional Accreditation of … · Web viewFor the last two years the college had deficit budget. The college has an internal audit mechanism. The institution,

NAAC for quality and excellence in Higher Education

Assessment Report for Institutional Accreditation ofAnanda Mohan College, Kolkata (W.B.)

Section I : Preface

Ananda Mohan College, Kolkata volunteered to be assessed by the

National Assessment and Accreditation Council and conducted the preliminary

self study. The Self Study Report (SSR) was submitted to NAAC by the

institution. A peer team was constituted by NAAC to visit the institution and

validate the SSR. The peer team, consisting of Prof. R.S. Bawa, Registrar &

Prof.of Economics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar as Chairman, Prof..

B.N. Deka. and Prof. M.C. Agrawal as Members and Dr. M.S. Shyamasundar,

Deputy Advisor from NAAC, Bangalore as the Co-ordinating Officer visited the

institution for two days on January 12-13, 2007.

Ananda Mohan College, Kolkata is a co-educational evening undergraduate

the college affiliated to the University of Calcutta, Kolkata covering a total area of

0.90 acres (approx.). The location of the college is urban. The college was

established in June 1961 with the aim to promote the cause of education in its

highest and widest sense; to make education - the training of the mind, heart and

body- conducive to the good of Man and the glory of God. The institution is

open to all students, without any distinction of race, creed or caste. Another main

objective of the college is to impart education in accordance with the lofty

principles of the Brahmo leaders- the founders of the college.

The college was having a strength of 1333 students in the Faculty of Arts,

Science and Commerce during the session 2006-07. During the last two batches

the drop out rate was 44.71%and 47.97% and the success rate was 80.37% and

Assessment Report of Ananda Mohan College, Kolkata Æ

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87.39%. The financial category of the college is Grant-in-aid. The college has

UGC recognition under 2f and 12b since 1961.

There are 45 members in the teaching faculty, out of which 23 have Ph.D.

06 have M.Phil., 16 have PG as the highest qualification and 03 with other

qualification besides 21 part-time temporary teachers. There are 25 full time and

07 part-time members in the administrative staff, 09 full time and 08 part time

members in the technical staff. The unit cost of education of the college is in the

current year is Rs.650.55/- excluding salary component and Rs.12409.16/-

including salary component. The temporal plan of academic work of the college

is Annual System. The college has support services in the form of Central

library, Rest Room for Group D Employees, Computers, Health Centre, Sports

facilities, Canteen, Grievance redressal cell and students’ counselling cell etc.

The Peer Team carefully perused and analysed the SSR submitted by the

institution. During the institutional visit, the team went through all the relevant

documents, visited departments and facilities and interacted with various

constituents of the institution. The academic, co-curricular, extra-curricular,

sports and extension facilities of the institution were visited. The peer team also

interacted at length with the members of Steering committee, Head of the

Institution, faculty, administrative staff, alumnae, students and their parents.

Based on the above exercise and keeping in mind the criteria identified by

NAAC, the peer team has taken a value judgement. The assessment of the

institution under various criteria, the commendable features of the institution as

well as the issues of concern are given in the following pages :

Section II : Criterion-Wise Analysis


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Criterion 1 : Curricular Aspects

As this college is affiliated to the University of Calcutta, it follows the

syllabi prescribed by the parent University for Arts, Science and Commerce

faculties in the annual pattern. It offers six UG General and Honours

programmes. The college offers a number of subject combinations based on 17

general subjects 9 of which are also Honours subjects. The students belonging to

all the programmes and disciplines have to take up one compulsory paper on

Environment Studies in their Part-I course. To enhance the skill in writing

students of all the honours subjects have the option of carrying out project works.

On an average, the knowledge -skill proportion may be said to be 80:20.

During the last three years, the college has introduced four new courses

i.e. Honours course in Physics, Compulsory Paper in Environment Studies,

Geography general and Computer Sciences general. To introduce a new

programme of study after it has been conceptualised the college takes six months

to one year. After the college decides on starting a new programme, it has to

obtain permission from the Higher Education Department of the Government of

West Bengal and the University of Calcutta. The teachers actively take part in the

Seminars/workshops organised by the University on curriculum designing.

The college follows academic audit by the university. The university

inspection team visits the college from time to time to check the academic

atmosphere of the college and to carry out academic audit.

The college follows inter/multidisciplinary approach within the curriculum

set by the University of Calcutta.


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The college may start more Computer and IT based as well as management

courses like BCA/B.Sc.(IT), BBA etc. and also start some MA and M.Sc.

courses.

The college may establish a formal system of feedback on programs as

well as interaction with academic peers and employers, preferably with an

external expert facilitating the proceedings.

Criterion II : Teaching-Learning and Evaluation

The students are selected for admission to various courses on the basis of

interviews and through their academic record. Some departments select students

through counselling/interviews after short-listing the candidates through their

academic records. The college publishes updated prospectus every year for

information and guidance of the students for admission to various courses.

The college has made provisions for assessing students’ knowledge and

skills for a particular programme just after admission by unit tests. The college

provides remedial measures for the academically disadvantaged students. Being

an evening college and because of the fact that a large number of its learners

come from educationally disadvantaged background, it attaches utmost

importance to remedial classes. Teachers are advised to take care of these

students, to monitor their progress and to discuss these issues at the departmental

meetings which are held regularly. The advanced learners are challenged to

work ahead of the rest. Teachers are advised to identify such students through

periodic assessment tests and to offer them the necessary incentives to work

ahead of the rest.


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The college encourages the teachers to make a well planned teaching plan.

Departmental teachers are encouraged to draft teaching plan at the beginning of

the session by means of academic calendar. Recently, the college has started

publishing its Academic Calendar and the teachers have been asked to stick to

it. The entire syllabus of each subject/paper has been divided into several

units/modules and the number of lectures for each of them has been fixed.

Generally, the college sticks to the traditional mode of lecture method,

although efforts have been initiated from some quarters to supplement the

lecture method with other learner centered methods.

The college observed 225 working days and 170 teaching days each during

the last two years. 89% classes are taught by full-time teachers. The ratio of full-

time teachers to part-time teachers is 5:2 and the ratio of teaching to non teaching

staff is 7:4 during the last two years. The evaluation methods are communicated

to the students at the beginning of the year. They are told that the evaluation

method will be based on the following principles; the ability of the students to

pursue the programme where they are admitted; the ability of the students to

produce evidences of their comprehension of a given topic; the ability of the

students as reflected in unit tests, class tests and seminars; and the ability of the

students to attend the classes regularly.

The college has 45 permanent faculty members. New teaching positions

are created as and when the work load demands. New part time teaching posts

are created after consultation with the head of the concerned department and

with the approval of the Governing body. New whole time teaching posts are

created in terms of the relevant State Government orders.


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The college has recruited 4 part-time teachers as fresh candidates from

West Bengal. The college has the freedom and the resources to appoint and pay

temporary/adhoc teaching staff. The college is free to appoint part-time temporary

teachers in various departments in need based conditions. The college uses the

tuition fees and other fees towards paying the salary of these part-time teachers. 25

members of the teaching staff had attended seminars/conferences/workshops as

participants at National level, 03 members at International level, 02 acted as

resource persons at national level and 02 acted as resource persons at

international level.

The college follows the self appraisal method to evaluate the performance

of the faculty in teaching, research and extension. The teachers of the college are

required to submit self-appraisal report at the end of each academic year to

evaluate their performance in teaching, examination duties, research, faculty

improvement and other extension activities. Recently the teachers of the college

are also required to submit a daily report of topics covered in the class-rooms.

From the current academic year the college has introduced the system of students’

evaluation of teachers on the basis of five criteria viz. knowledge base,

accessibility, communication skill, guidance in academic matters and overall

rating of the teacher. As per instructions of the Government of West Bengal and

the University of Calcutta, all full time teachers of the college have to prepare

and submit Self Appraisal Report based on their performance of teaching,

research, extension and other college related jobs when their career advancement

is due.

The college collects student evaluation information on campus experience.

The college has started collecting Students’ feedback reports from the academic

year 2003-04. The extension and infrastructure sub committees are entrusted with


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examining the feedback reports and they forward recommendations to the college

authorities.

The college encourages the teachers to participate in faculty development

programs. The college has organised some seminars including one funded by

U.G.C. Now the college needs to take the next step and encourage more teachers

to participate as resource persons at these seminars and also organize more

national seminars, workshops etc. in the college.

The faculty contributes to the administration of the college in many ways

e.g. as members of the different Committees like Academic Sub Committee,

Finance Sub Committee, Library Sub Committee, Purchase Sub Committee and

Admission Sub Committee. Teachers actively take part in the functions of the

Grievance Redressal Cell, Students’ Counselling Cell, Extension Sub Committee,

Infrastructure Sub Committee, Academic Activities Sub Committee and Data

Management Sub Committee.

The college is yet to establish national and international linkages for

teaching and/or research.

Departmental societies can be formed which can facilitate holding inter and

intra-department competitions like debates, paper reading contests etc. Inter

college competitions may also be organised to give better exposure to the students.

Criterion -III - Research, Consultancy and Extension

The institution has limited scope to promote research culture among the

faculty and students. Being an under graduate college the students are not

involved in active research. Out of the 45 teachers, the college has already 23


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Ph.D. and 06 M.Phil. Apart from this, 5 degree holder teachers are registered as

part-time Ph.D. scholars. The college has started publishing its own Journal to

promote research culture in the college. The teachers are provided with study

leave on demand and adjustments are made in the teaching schedule. 25 % of the

full time teachers are engaged in active research. Three faculty members had been

awarded Ph.D. during the last five years. Presently the college has one on-going

project with total outlay of Rs.80,000/-.

The college is yet to make arrangements to provide financial support to

research students and publicise the expertise available for consultancy services.

The college has designated a person for extension activities on additional

charge. The various extension activities of the college are Health and Hygiene

awareness, Blood Donation Camp, AIDS awareness, Environment awareness and

Tree Plantation ceremony in which the Students’ Union of the college takes an

active part. The college has organised very important events in the recent times

like awareness campaign in the neighbourhood on Pulse Polio Vaccination, on the

hazards caused to environment by plastic use and the ways and means to prevent

the killer diseases like Dengue and Malaria as part of Health and Hygiene

awareness. The students and teachers are encouraged to participate in extension

activities by emphasising the significance of such activities.

National and International collaborations too could go a long way to

enhance educational service of the college. With this goal in mind, the college

could make efforts to generate funds for research. Getting financial assistance

from outside agencies for research would further encourage the faculty to engage

itself in research.


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Criterion IV : Infrastructure and Learning Process

The college has a campus area of 0.90 acres (approx.). The physical

facilities include class rooms and laboratories etc.

The college plans to meet the need of augmenting the infrastructure to keep

pace with academic growth with the help of available adequate facilities. There is

an Accommodation Co-ordination Committee for the college building with

representatives from the Brahmo Samaj Education Society. Six new rooms have

been added in the third floor of the building- three of which are set to be

classrooms and three others as laboratories. Besides, new IT laboratory, Physical

Chemistry laboratory and Physics/Electronics laboratory have been added. The

conditions of laboratory equipment and electrical equipment and accessories are

regularly assessed and decisions are taken to preserve and maintain them. The

college maintains its infrastructure by providing budgetary allocations for meeting

the expenses from time to time.

The college makes efforts for optimum utilisation of its infrastructure

facilities. Since the college shares the building with other two colleges situated in

the same building, the maintenance cost of the building is significantly low.

Further, the college is an evening college, it also shares the laboratories with other

two colleges, thus economising on laboratory costs, too. The college also ensures

optimum utilisation of its infrastructure facilities by holding of public and

university examinations. The efforts are made by the college to keep the campus

beautiful and pollution free. The Accommodation Co-ordination Committee of

the building meets regularly to find out ways and means to keep the campus

beautiful.


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The library has an Advisory Committee. There are 24808 books besides,

the library subscribes to 25 journals/periodicals. A computer has been purchased

for the library and computerisation of library activities is in process. The library

observes 206 working days and it works for seven hours daily. The library has

added 648 books and 16 periodicals worth Rs.1,17,371/- during year before last

and 1022 books and 15 periodicals worth Rs.1,80,479/- during the last year.

There is need to provide Internet and Book Bank facility to the students in the

main library.

The college does not provide central computer facility. There are 18

computers in the college, the teachers and non teaching staffs of the college make

use of them as and when necessary. The computers may be used during the

college hours. The Accounts section, Library, Department of Mathematics,

Commerce, Physiology, Physics and Chemistry have their own computers. The

computers and their accessories are maintained by the concerned teachers. The

college needs to make use of the services of inter-university centres like IUCAA,

INFLIBNENT etc.

The college provides preliminary health services to the students, members

of the teaching and non-teaching staff. The college is an institutional member of

the Students’ Health Home, Kolkata, where students avail medical treatment at

reasonable rates. The various physical and infrastructure facilities available in the

college are equipment and accessories for the game of football, cricket, athletics,

volleyball, badminton, carom board and table tennis etc. A few national level

cricketers are ex-students of the college. Incentives are given to outstanding

sports persons in the form of financial aid and relaxation in the rules concerning

attendance percentage. Some of the college students participated in university

level games during the previous years.


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Addition of more books other than text books, computer aided learning

packages, computer centre, computerisation of library, hostels, guest house,

reading room, auditorium, gymnasium, staff quarters, N.S.S. facility, vehicle

parking shed and different play grounds would go a long way to equip the

college to perform its mission more efficiently.

It is worthy praise that in order to promote research culture in the college,

a research journal entitled, ‘The Journal of Ananda Mohan College’ was

published recently by the college.

Criterion V : Student Support and Progression

The percentage of students appearing for the final year examination after

completing the minimum period of study was about 43.81%. The progression

to further study (UG to PG) was 47% and to employment was 38%. Prominent

positions like Consultants, Directors, Doctors, Asstt. Commissioners, Chartered

Accountants, Faculty Members and teachers etc. are held by some of the alumni.

Some of the national level cricketers are the alumni of the college. The college

maintains the record of alumni and keeps updating this record from time to

time. Since the college is Under graduate one, the data are not available about

UGC/CSIR (NET)/SLET/GMAT/GRE/GATE qualified candidates. The College

publishes its prospectus every year. The contents of the prospectus comprise a

brief introduction of Late Ananda Mohan Bose, the college and its objectives, the

rules of admission, courses offered, fee structure, general information etc. The

financial aid available to the students from the Government as well as from the

college is in the form of West Bengal Government Scholarship, Financial

Assistance for SC/ST students, train fare concession and Students Aid fund. 09


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students received financial aid during the year before last and 19 student’s during

the last year in the form of SC/ST scholarships. Many students received train fare

concession during the last two years.

The college has no employment cell and a placement officer. However,

the Students’ Counselling cell offers personal counselling to the students as and

when they approach. The College arranges seminar lectures on career counselling

for students. The teachers participate in academic and personal counselling.

Students are also referred to other professional bodies if such need arises.

All policies and criteria of admission are made clear to the prospective

students by notifying the criteria at the college notice board, by publishing the

policies and rules in the college prospectus, by the participation of teachers in the

admission procedure through counselling and motivation etc. The admission

policy of the college with regard to overseas students is same as in the case of

other students. The college has admitted a few overseas students. Various support

services given to overseas students are one window admission service, overseas

students office, special accommodation, induction courses, socio-cultural

activities, welfare programme and police clearance.

The various recreational/leisure time facilities available to students are

Indoor games, Students magazines, Outdoor games, cultural programmes and film

festivals. The college has a very active N.C.C. unit although it started functioning

only from 2004, but it has shown commendable progress. A number of students

have passed NCC ‘B’ Certificate and one student has been selected for Republic

Day Parade this year. The N.C.C. unit has also been very active in social and

awareness programmes.


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The college needs to have employment cell and to appoint placement

officer. The college could form Parent-Teacher Association (P.T.A) and get their

assistance in furthering its educational goals. The college would do well by

providing more facilities for Games and Sports and encouraging the students to

participate at inter University and National level competitions.

Criterion VI : Organisation and Management

The college has an efficient internal co-ordinating and monitoring

mechanism. For academic audit, the college has started Self Appraisal by the

teachers. They have to maintain an annual diary giving details of their

performance, seminars/workshops attended etc. along with other relevant details

and submit these diaries to the Teacher-in-charge at the end of the academic year.

There are several committees and bodies in the college with representatives from

the students, teachers and non teaching staff-which ensure better internal co-

ordinating and monitoring in the college.

The college has an in-built mechanism to check the work efficiency of the

non-teaching staff. The teacher in charge of the college always considers the

professional competence of assistants while delegating jobs to them. The teacher-

in-charge ensures that the work performed and results obtained are properly

documented.

The college has formed a special committee for preparing the academic

calendar. The college conducts professional development programmes in

different disciplines for the non-teaching staff . The institution has three

professional Chartered Accountants as faculty members. They hold meetings

with the administrative staff of the college every year to discuss financial matters.


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The college follows the Government supported fee structure in

BA/B.Sc./B.Com General and Hons. courses. There is no change in tuition fees

during the last three years. The college had an annual budget of Rs.19838099/-

and the amount actually spent was Rs.19914122/- during the last year under

various heads of expenditure. For the last two years the college had deficit

budget. The college has an internal audit mechanism. The institution, run by

Brahmo Samaj Education Society, has its own rules and regulations, particularly,

for those relating to the accounts and management of funds. The administrators

of the college duly verify all incomes including Government Grants and Tuition

fees received from the students before recording the said transactions in the books

of accounts.

The various welfare programmes available in the college are Students

Aid fund, teachers benevolent fund, staff benevolent fund, concession in fees for

economically backward students etc.

The college has Grievance Redressal cell which deals with the grievances

of the employees and others. The Grievance Redressal cell with one/two senior

teacher(s) of the college as its convener(s) entertain suggestions and complaints

from students, teachers and members of the non-teaching staff.

Various loan facilities are available to the members of the teaching and

non-teaching staff from the following bodies : loan from Ananda Mohan College

Provident Fund, loan from City College Employees’ Co-operative Credit Society;

loan from Amadar Samavaya Samity, loan from Allahabad Bank etc. The

purchase of major items is made through Purchase Sub Committees by inviting

quotations in sealed envelops and the item is purchased from the lowest bidder.


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The college could do well to mobilise resources, better organise

association of past students, form P.T.A., get assistance from society at large and

benefit the same society in return. Starting of more self financing and vocational

courses can increase the income of the college.

Criterion VII : Healthy Practices

The college adopted mechanism for internal quality checks. The teachers

are required to submit self appraisal reports annually, which are then scrutinised

and examined at the departmental levels. Students are assessed periodically

through unit tests and other periodical tests.

The college imparts value based education. Ananda Mohan College belong

to the City Group of Colleges, which bears the glorious tradition of Brahmo

thoughts and values and urges the young learners to follow the principles of Raja

Rammohan Roy, Rabindranath Tagore, Ananda Mohan Bose and other great

leaders of the Brahmo school of thoughts.

Civic responsibilities are inculcated among the students through

awareness programmes on Pulse Polio Vaccination, on the dangers of plastic use

and on the ways and means of preventing the killer diseases like Malaria and

Dengue etc. The students have to undertake a pledge that they will show

patriotism, civic sense and social responsibility in their life.

The college makes efforts towards all round development of the learners

recognising the fact that it is the job and duty of the institution to promote all

round personality development of the learners. The college tries to promote

civic responsibilities and leadership qualities among the students through the


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various activities of the Students Union, and by encouraging them to

participate in various physical, intellectual and aesthetic activities.

The college is geared to achieve its specific goals and objectives by

having well qualified teachers, responsive non teaching staff, various bodies to

look after different college related matters with representatives from all sections of

the college, imaginative and visionary planners, feedback from such bodies as the

Teachers Council, Employees union and Students union with elected

representatives etc.

The college makes efforts to bring in ‘community orientation’ in its

activities. The college encourages the Students Union to hold freshers welcome

function in order to sensitise freshers to the new routine in a higher institution of

learning. The college also recognises the need to encourage the students to reach

out to the neighbourhood community - to be part of their immediate

surroundings.

Section III : Overall Analysis

The Peer Team, after going through the SSR and after its visit to various

academic and physical facilities, is satisfied by the progress of this college.

The Peer Team would like to commend the college for some of the

positive features of its approach to quality assurance and standards and at the

same time points out some of its concerns to the college authorities for their

consideration. The Peer Team would like to commend the institution for the

following aspects :


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� A variety of subject options for Science and Arts students at UG level.� Offering Honours as well as General courses in the faculties of Arts,

Science and Commerce.� Dedication and commitment of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the

institution.� Imparting education in accordance with the lofty principles of the

Brahmo leaders- the founders of the college.� Involving Students Union in various activities of the college including

extension activities, sports and games and cultural activities.� Facilities to the teaching faculty to attend the orientation and refresher

courses as per their need. � Inculcating discipline and civic responsibilities among the students.� Faculty devoting extra time and efforts on both the educationally

disadvantaged as well as outstanding performers. � Some teachers have independent research projects and have published

research papers. � Starting a Journal of its own by the college.� Introducing student feed back mechanism about the teachers as well as the

college.

With the view to its further improvement, the Peer Team would like to suggest

the following to the institution for its consideration :

�� A large number of teachers are non Ph.Ds. They may be encouraged to

do Ph.D. � There is need to appoint a regular Principal and fill up the vacant faculty

positions as to improve the teaching learning process. � The College may explore the possibility of introducing more course


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options. Some Computer/IT related degree courses like BCA, B.Sc.(IT)

and Management oriented courses B.B.A. etc. may be introduced. � The college may take steps to strengthen laboratories and start some P.G.

courses like M.Com, M.A. in Economics, Political Science, History and

M.Sc. in Computer Sciences, Information Technology, Physics and

Chemistry. � The computer centre may be established with sufficient number of

computers with internet facility so as to make all teachers and all students

computer literate.� A Commerce laboratory for giving practical knowledge about financial

instruments may be set up.� A language laboratory to enhance the communication skill may be set up.� A Yoga and meditation centre may be started.� Better opportunities and facilities may be provided for sports and co-

curricular activities to encourage students participation in

University/State/ National level competitions by constructing an Indoor

Stadium and providing a Gymnasium.� An Women Cell and N.S.S. facility may be provided. � Teachers may be encouraged to get more research grants from various

bodies like UGC, CSIR, DBT, DST etc. and some matching research

grant may be provided by the college. � Resource generation through self financing courses and donations may be

increased. � The teachers may be encouraged to publish research papers at National

and International levels. � Formation of Parent-Teacher Association and better use of Alumni

Association using their services for the development of infrastructure in

the college and placement of students may be considered.


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� The departments may be encouraged to form departmental societies and

organise more student activities related to the subject like debates,

declamation contests etc. � The college may organise more National level Seminars/Workshops etc. � The library needs to add more latest text and reference books. The

computerisation of the library by installing latest library software may be

completed on priority basis. The Library may also be housed in a bigger

area and provide better reading room facility.� The college may provide Hostel facilities to attract students from other

distant places, especially for girl students.� Complete computerisation of the college records including Finance and

Students Profile may be completed on priority basis.� The college may launch its detailed Website.

The Peer Team is of the opinion that this exercise will be useful to the

institution to initiate the quality enhancement strategies and its march towards

further growth and development.

The Peer Team places on record its appreciation of the Principal, his

entire team and other constituents of the college for this introspection

undertaken. We wish them all the best in their pursuit of excellence in higher

education.


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Names and Signatures of the Peer Team Members

1. Name of the Chairman : Prof. R. S. Bawa

Signature

2. Name of the Member : Prof. B. N. Deka

Signature

3. Name of the Member : Prof. M. C. Agrawal

Signature

I agree with the observations and recommendations made by the Peer Team in this report.

Name & Signature of the Head of the Institution

(Dr. Suradis Chandra Datta)

(Principal) Teacher-in-Charge

Ananda Mohan College, Kolkata (W.B.)


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Documents

Assessment Report for Institutional Accreditation of … · Web viewFor the last two years the college had deficit budget. The college has an internal audit mechanism. The institution,