Best Practice-I: Enrichment Programs & Activities beyond Classroom

Goals:

• To help students to realize their potential in a variety of settings beyond the classroom.
• To encourage students to follow their passions develop new interests and build new skills.
• To develop among students a sense of self-awareness and an understanding of the college as well as of the community needs and opportunities.
• To help students develop a love for learning in their own time, expand their mind and gain skills that will help them in their academic and professional careers.

The Context:
In the academic session 2019-20 more than 35 Enrichment Programs & Activities were organized offline & Online by various departments, various committees, NCC & NSS team of the College to achieve the above goals. The schedule for organizing the programs & Activities were prepared by the various departments & committees with the help of Head of the Departments & IQAC and placed before the Principal for approval of the college Governing Body.

The Practice:
Enrichment Programs & Activities includes seminars, workshops, special lectures, awareness programs, group discussions on important issues, Community Survey, Departmental Quiz, paper presentation by the students, Film/documentary show, projects, Extempore Speech, Music Competition, Dance Competition, Essay competition on relevant issues, short term projects, on the Job training/internship for skill development, various extension activities, Celebration of important days, educational tours, field trips and industrial visits.

Evidence of Success:

• 36 University Rank holders in last six years (2013-2018).
• Average of Pass percentage in University Final Examinations (2013-2019)- B.A. Hons. (97.42%) & B.Sc. Hons. (85.40%).
• Many of our students received First Class First Rank in their University PG Programs.
• Many of our students received prizes from various competitions organized by the college, Kolkata district or the state of West Bengal.
• Many of our Ex-students are renowned Musician, Dancers, University Professors, College Professors, School Teachers, Administrative officers, Successful Entrepreneurs & Ph.D. Scholars.
• NAAC Peer Team in 2004, 2012 & 2018 appreciated the enrichment activities of our students.

Problems Encountered:
About 25% of students could not attend the enrichment programs & activities organized by various departments due to their Practical classes, Tutorials or project work.

Best Practice-II: Feedback System

Goals:

• To receives feedback from the students &Faculty Members on the syllabus & its transaction at the institution level & necessary action taken.
• To receive feedback from Alumni &Employers about the Scope of the curriculum & necessary action taken.
• To receive feedback from Students & HODs about Teaching-Learning & Evaluation process after each Semester through review meeting & necessary action taken on the basis of the report.
• To receive feedback from students on overall performance of the students & necessary action taken for improvement.

The Context:
Four types of Feedback are taken by IQAC after each Semester.

• Feedback on the syllabus & its transaction at the institution level (For Students & Faculty Members);
• Feedback on Curriculum (For Alumni & Employers, once a year);
• Feedback on Teaching –Learning & Evaluation process(For HODs & Students);
• Feedback on overall performance of the college(SSS for Students).

Feedback form on Curriculum & Students Satisfaction Survey(SSS) are in the college website under Feedback Column.

The Practice:
The students & Faculty members give their online feedback & suggestion(S) (College website) on the University prescribed UG & PG Semester syllabus & its transaction at the institution level after each semester. After analysis of the feedback, IQAC place it before the Principal for necessary action. Suggestions & Recommendations on University syllabus were sent to the University Academic Council by the Principal for consideration. The IQAC prepares a report on the basis of the feedback on Teaching-Learning & Evaluation Process and placed before the Principal for necessary action. After analysis of the Students Satisfaction Survey by IQAC, the report is placed before the Principal in the IQAC meeting for necessary action.

Evidence of Success:

• Certificate course in Spoken English has been introduced in the college.
• Certificate Course in Psychological Counseling has been introduced in the college.
• Health Unit has been opened in the college.
• Certificate course in Art & Craft has been introduced.
• Most of the Faculty members take Remedial classes for slow learners.
• University Rank Holders are rewarded in Annual College Social.

Problems Encountered:
Very few Feedbacks received from Employers.

Best Practice-III: Clean and Green Campus

Aims and Objectives:

• To carry out the swachhta activities in the campus smoothly.
• Creation of a Green Campus.
• Water Conservation to be done to reduce unnecessary water usage.
• Recycling of waste paper.
• Waste Management to be performed in the college campus.
• To conserve energy and reduce wastage in the campus.

The Context:
Founded in 1959, Basanti Devi College is a girls’ college affiliated to the University of Calcutta. The college has been reaccredited B+ grade in its third cycle by NAAC in the year 2018.One important mission of the college is "To develop a commitment among Students & Staff members towards the conservation of Environment with a goal towards sustainable development." The college has framed well defined and viable strategic goals for creation of a Clean and Green Campus & help students to dream & achieve a sustainable and healthy environment in and outside the college Campus.

The Practice & Evidence of Success:

• The college has formed Swachhta Action Plan Committee with Staff & Students to carry out the swachhta activities in the campus smoothly.
• The cleaning of the campus, classrooms, laboratories, toilets and College Garden are done by supporting staff & supervised by the NSS Unit, Students & Head of the respective Department.
• Plastic free campus drive by introducing cloth bags, paperbags, paper plates & earthen glass in the camp.
• Maintenance of taps, cisterns & water pipes is done regularly. Leakages are immediately taken care of by availing the service of the plumbing agency.
• The College has installed a Paper-recycling Unit in the campus.
• The college has facilities for the management of degradable & non-degradable waste.
• 15.5 KVA roof top Solar Panels have been installed.
• LED lights are used in the college building.
• Lights, Fans, Computers, air-conditioning machines & other equipments when not in use are turned off.

Evidence of Success:

• Dr. Indrila Guha, Principal, Basanti Devi College was awarded "Clean Environment Promotion Award 2018" in 2nd World Clean Environment Summit.
• The college has been recognized as a Swachhta Action Plan (SAP) Institution in the year 2020 by Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education (MGNCRE), Department of Higher Education, Government of India.
• The college also received First Prize under the category of Shara Poribesh (Best Environment) by Just News in Swaraswati Puja, 2020.

Problems Encountered:
Involvement of all faculty / staff students is always a challange due to their concurrent academic and administrative responsibilities.