Event Details

Transformative Reforms for Strengthening Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions in India

FROM 13 Sep 2024   TO   13 Sep 2024

Venue : SMU @

Introduction
An insightful online session was held on 13th September 2024 focusing on the theme “Transformative Reforms for Strengthening Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in India.” The event brought together academicians, administrators, and policymakers of Sikkim Manipal University to deliberate on reforms aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the evolving accreditation framework. The event was conducted by Internal Quality Assurance Cell of Sikkim Manipal University.

Key Highlights of the Session

1. Higher Education Commission of India (HECI):

• The proposed single regulatory body aims to streamline functions of higher education through its verticals:
• National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC)
• National Accreditation Council (NAC)
• Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC)
• General Education Council (GEC)

2. Accreditation Reforms:

• Transition from the existing 8-point grading system of NAAC to an Adapted Binary Accreditation System.
• Gradual progression of institutions from National Excellence (Level I–IV) to Global Excellence (Level V) for multi-disciplinary research and education.
• Emphasis on graded autonomy and choice-based ranking systems enabling students, industries, and funding agencies to make informed decisions.

3. Composite and Categorized Assessment:

• Integration of programme and institutional accreditation.
• Recognition of diversity among HEIs by categorizing them based on heritage, vision, and orientation instead of a “one-size-fits-all” model.

4. Accreditation Attributes:

• The reforms highlight assessment across 10 core attributes:
• Curriculum
• Faculty Resources
• Learning & Teaching
• Research & Innovation
• Co- and Extra-curricular Activities
• Community Engagement
• Green Initiatives
• Governance & Administration
• Infrastructure Development
• Financial Resources & Management

5. Proposed Changes in NAAC:

• Shift towards binary accreditation with future plans of maturity-based graded accreditation.
• Focus on outcomes such as skill mapping with NSQF/NCrF, promotion of the Indian Knowledge System, blended learning, and domain-specific student activities.
• Strengthening of research outcomes, innovation, intellectual property rights (IPR), and creation of Open Education Resources (OER).

Conclusion
The event emphasized that outcome-based education is the hallmark of quality education. With the proposed reforms, higher education institutions in India are expected to undergo transformative changes to align with global standards while retaining their unique national identity. The session concluded with an engaging discussion on the roadmap for implementing these reforms effectively in the coming years.