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- Activities regarding the goals and objectives of the institution.
Women’s Christian College, Kolkata forges relentlessly ahead with its focused agenda of empowerment of women. This institution stands out from others of its kind, as a sizeable portion of its student community is made up of first generation literates. This section, grossly disadvantaged economically, is nurtured with particular zeal by a dedicated teaching faculty and caring non teaching staff. Apart from this, the college caters to the intellectual needs of students from minority groups along with those belonging to the majority category. It is with a sense of fulfillment that teachers steer this heterogeneous group in their quest for knowledge. New and complex areas of scholarship are introduced to the students through class lectures, special lectures, and student seminars and inter college academic exchanges. The use of audio visual teaching aids as well as field trips and excursions constitute a multidimensional approach aimed at stimulating the interest of the student towards her subject. Interpersonal skills are developed through interaction with academicians of stature who are regularly invited to deliver lectures. Participation in in-house and inter college debates as well as inter college seminars and competitions are also instrumental in bringing latent talent to the forefront. Events such as Youth Parliament competitions call for serious involvement on the part of the college. Social awareness and social work is constantly encouraged. Students thus overcome mental as well as material barriers and part ways with their alma mater confident, mature and ready to take on the world.
- New academic programmes initiated (UG and PG).
The college has initiated Distance Education Postgraduate Programmes under the aegis of Netaji Subhas Open University in the following subjects:
English, Bengali, Mathematics, Political Science, History and MSW.
- Innovations in curricular design and transaction.
This is not applicable as all academic courses are structured by the University of Calcutta to which the college is affiliated.
- Inter disciplinary programmes started.
The Inter-disciplinary Extension Lecture Series forms part of the Faculty Development Programme introduced by the institution. It is held consistently and provides the faculty members a platform to share their expertise in their particular area of scholarship with their colleagues. Lively interactive sessions attended by all the departments bring up interesting issues and serve as intellectual stimulants to teachers normally constricted within the structured courses of the university syllabi. Interesting and socially relevant topics such as euthanasia, micro-finance and Indo-Burmese relations, covering diverse disciplines, have been deliberated upon. Students are also invited to participate in the discussions.
- Examination reforms implemented.
The college is bound to follow the schedule of examinations laid down by Calcutta University. Instead of the stipulated number of periodical tests and selection tests held till 2008, a new system of mid-term and annual tests, held before each university examination, has been implemented.
- Candidates qualified: NET/SLET/GATE etc.
Though none of the ex-students qualified in the above mentioned examinations during the last session, some of them are performing well at the post graduate level, while a few have found employment at schools in and around the city.
- Initiative toward Faculty Development Programme.
Teachers are continuously involved in academic pursuits beyond classroom teaching. Many of them have presented papers in the Inter-Disciplinary Extension Lecture series organized by the college. Besides, several faculty members have published papers in reputed journals and have been speakers at national seminars. Two faculty members have presented papers at international conferences held abroad. Teachers have also made presentations at other institutions like Indian Institute of Foreign Trade where an international conference was held. A faculty member was invited to present a paper on the topic of her research at a national conference at Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies. In order to keep themselves updated, teachers also regularly attend refresher and orientation courses. A number of them are actively engaged in upgrading their Ph.D. theses with the intention of publishing them. A teacher of the Department of the Mathematics has two M. Phil. students working under his supervision.
- Total number of seminars/workshops conducted.
Illustrious and erudite speakers from India and abroad have made presentations at many seminars, special lectures and workshops conducted by the college. Recently, Dr. Sanjay Banerji of the University of Essex gave a scintillating talk on the global financial meltdown which generated a lot of interest among both students and teachers.
On a completely different note, celebrated astrophysicist Dr Debi Prasad Duary, formerly of NASA and presently Director of Birla Planetarium, took us on a journey through space explaining in layman’s language complex concepts like Black Hole, the origin of the solar system, newly discovered planets and so on. The talk was very well received by the audience, specially as it cleared many misconceptions about constellations as well as superstitious beliefs connected with astrology. The total number of seminars held during the last session was 9.
- Research Projects (a) newly implemented (b) completed.
Along with regular academic activities of the college and university, the faculty members have been engaged in various research related work. One of the faculty members has been awarded a Minor Research Project entitled ‘A Study of Some Problems of Topology in some Generalized Settings’. Other proposals are also under consideration of the UGC.
- Patents generated, if any:
NA.
- New collaborative research programmes:
The college does not have any collaborative research programmes with other institutions.
- Research grants received from various agencies.
Some of the faculty members are applying afresh for Minor research projects. In fact, the teachers of the institution have regularly availed of grants provided by the UGC under the Faculty Development Programme.
- Details of research scholars.
A teacher of the Mathematics Department is acting as guide to two students for their M Phil dissertation under Calcutta University. However, scope for such activity is limited as the college does not offer post graduate courses under Calcutta University and the linkage with Netaji Subhas Open University has only just been established.
- Citation index of faculty members and impact factor.
Publications by some faculty members have been cited by other research scholars working in allied fields.
- Honours/Awards to the faculty:
One of the faculty members has been awarded a PhD in Science by Calcutta University on June 12, 2009. Another faculty member was awarded the UGC Teacher Fellowship under the Faculty Improvement Programme w.e.f. November 15, 2008. She is continuing with her research. A Post-Doctoral fellowship has been awarded to one of the teachers by the National Board of Higher Mathematics, Department of Atomic Energy.
- Internal Resources generated.
The college does not have any funds earmarked for research activity.
- Details of departments getting SAP, COSIST( ASSIST)/DST. FIST, etc.
NA
- Community services.
The college has made an earnest effort to participate in various community services and extension programmes.
- The Women’s Christian College Unit of the Students’ Christian Movement of India (SCMI) has been particularly active this year in the sphere of community work, acquiring skills and rendering service according to the perspective of the programme. From participating in workshops on media, gender, youth and human rights to attending leadership training programmes organized by various colleges our students have been notably responsive to initiatives aimed at holistic development of the student community.
- Two students attended the six-day workshop in Asutosh College in January 2009 on ‘Soft Skill Development and Mental Reasoning’ organized by the Foundation for Academic Excellence and Access (FAEA) funded by the Ford Foundation.
- The students of all the departments have arranged a fund raising drive for the development of the Braille Press and Library Project of the Blind Persons’ Association, 10/2 Samsul Huda Road, Kolkata 700017. The donation made up of contributions from the students and teachers was spent for the completion of the construction of a building of the Association required for the formal inauguration of a colossal Braille public library.
- Again several teachers and students have visited the Bharat Sevasram Sangha to donate clothes and money for the flood affected people of West Bengal. The Women’s Study Cell jointly helped ‘Ankur Kala’ – an organization for training destitute women by providing space in the college to exhibit and sell their products.
- The college has been granted permission to open a National Service Scheme (NSS) unit. Under the banner of NSS, we are collaborating with a British charitable organization which is operating in India through its agency T M Education. Under this programme, students will be spreading awareness about basic life skills through audio visual means among the underprivileged sections of society.
- Teachers and officers newly recruited.
Sm Anwesha Chakraborty has joined the History Department as a Guest Lecturer under the FDP scheme. Sm Krittika Mukherjee is a new recruit in the Department of Education as Part Time Lecturer. Sri Pradip Sarkar has joined the office as Clerk.
- Teaching – Non-teaching staff ratio:
35 : 15
- Improvements in the library services:
The process of creating a database following WINISIS is going on. LIBSYS (Library Software Package) will be introduced soon.
- New books/journals subscribed and their value:
Eight hundred and twenty seven new books have been purchased during the last session. Funds received as donation from the spouse of a deceased ex-student, apart from regular library fund, have been used for this purchase. Subscribed journals are added regularly. Value of books and journals purchased during this period is Rs 1,17,860/-.
- Courses in which student assessment of teachers is introduced and the action taken on student feedback :
A method has been devised by the college for student assessment of teachers in the Honours courses. The feedback is carefully considered by the teachers individually and genuine attempts are made to comply with the demands and suggestions of the students.
- Unit cost of education:
Unit cost with salary - Rs.2,289/- approximately
Unit cost excluding salary - Rs.912/- approximately
- Computerization of administration and the process of admissions and examination results, issue of certificates:
Office administration and admission process, publication of results and issue of certificates are in the process of being fully computerized.
- Increase in infrastructural facilities:
After careful planning and some reorganization of space, a fully furnished office has been set up for the Women’s Christian College - Netaji Subhas Open University Distance Education PG Study Centre. Another important addition to our infrastructure has been the setting up of a state-of the art GIS Lab for use of the students of the Geography Department.
- Technology upgradation:
- The college office is being automated.
- The college has entered into an agreement with MSME for installation of V-SAT which through its blended technology will create scope for interactive teaching/video conferencing between the college and other notable institutions throughout the country.
- Computer and internet access and training to teachers and students:
Teachers and students have access to broad band internet connection in the college library. Students receive computer training in collaboration with Interface I 4U, a franchisee of Webel within the college as part of their regular curriculum. The computer training imparted in the college is a graded 3-year self-financing course.
- Financial aid to students:
Ten to twelve percent students are offered free and half free studentships. Many economically weak students are provided with financial aid from the Endowment Funds for paying computer fees. Two very poor students are provided with daily bus fare from the Students’ Union fund so that they may attend college regularly.
A generous contribution of Rs 50,000 by the husband of a late alumnus of the college has enormously facilitated the task of providing monetary help to students in the form of scholarships from the interest accrued from the above amount. There has been an additional grant of Rs 50,000 from the same source this year to be used for the same purpose.
- Activities and support from the Alumni Association :
- Like every year the Alumnae Association funded the N B Shome Memorial Award which rewarded students securing highest marks in the General subjects in the First Year Annual/Test Examination in the college. The Association gave away the prizes accordingly at the Foundation Day Celebration on the 19th of July.
- In keeping with tradition, the Association celebrated the Annual Reunion in December. The gathering comprising a large number of students and guests made the occasion a great success.
- The Alumni Association organized a health awareness programme on Breast Cancer where a well-known oncologist attached to Apollo Gleneagles Hospital sensitized the audience about this dreaded disease through a very impactful audio-visual presentation.
- Activities and support from the Parent-Teacher Association:
There is no formal Parent-Teacher Association. However parent-teacher meetings are held on a regular basis in the case of the Honours students. Problems are broached by the parents during these sessions. The parents in turn are apprised of their wards’ conduct and performance. Since these sessions are presided over by the Principal and the Secretary, the parents have the opportunity of placing their suggestions before the college authorities directly. The parents are encouraged to meet the faculty members whenever they feel the need to do so.
- Health Services:
- The college takes the initiative to organize health awareness programmes on a regular basis.
- Aids Awareness was sought to be raised by Pepsico India Holdings Pvt Ltd.
- A workshop held by the NGO Durbar Samanway Samiti, brought to the forefront sex workers, who as the single most high risk group, interacted with the students and answered their questions about AIDS. Dr Smarajit Jana of the School of Tropical Medicine also delivered a lecture on the topic.
- General awareness on Breast Cancer was highlighted by a well-known oncologist attached to Apollo Gleneagles Hospital.
- Besides the college has an institutional membership with the Students’ Health Home, Kolkata. Students can avail of any of its facilities.
- Local doctors are also given house calls in case a student falls sick in college. A first aid kit and a sick bed are kept ready.
- There is also an unwritten understanding with Ramkrishna Mission Seva Pratisthan, a multi speciality hospital close to the college where students are removed in case of emergency.
- The Central Examination Committee for University Examinations also has a Doctor member to cater to the health problems of examinees.
- The students of the college are covered by ‘Nagarik Suraksha Policy’ for personal accidents with hospitalization expenses under Oriental Insurance Company Ltd.
- Performance in sports activities:
Plans are on to send students for participation in Inter-College Sports Meets organized by the University of Calcutta. The Annual Sports of the college is enthusiastically organized in nearby parks and is attended by both students and teachers.
- Incentives to outstanding sportspersons:
NA
- Students’ achievements and awards:
Students of Women’s Christian College have participated in a number of seminars, debates, essay competitions, and also in many cultural and extra-curricular activities in their alma mater and in other institutions. They have made their college proud through their splendid performances.
- At a seminar on War Poetry in the college premises, students presented papers on the theme which earned accolades from eminent scholars like Dr Argha Banerjee who also spoke at length on the same theme.
- Students presented papers on Milton and Feminist Approach at a neighbourhood college which was highly appreciated by Prof Shanta Mahalanobis. They also participated in a seminar at Jadavpur University on American Literature and Multiculturalism.
- A seminar held at Loreto College on ‘Cross Cultural Currents: India and the Ancient World’ also gave a platform to our students to present their views through their own papers before the internationally renowned historian Prof Shireen Ratnagar..
In each of these events, their efforts earned effusive praise from the distinguished Chairpersons present.
- Three students participated in an essay competition about the enduring relevance of Martin Luther King Junior’s ‘I have a Dream’ speech and as a gesture of appreciation of their work, received certificates signed by a son of Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King III.
- For the first time, our college organized an Inter College Debate (Founder Principal and Founder Secretary Memorial Inter College Debate) in which students from various reputed colleges of Kolkata participated. The event saw a lively and thought provoking war of words and ideas between the home team and participants from other institutions who convincingly tried to establish their position on the motion ‘Urban Development Invariably Spells Environmental Crisis.’ One of our own students was adjudged the best speaker for the motion. Celebrated media personalities and academicians who acted as judges in the event lauded the college for organizing an event which generated much enthusiasm among students and proved to be a stimulant to further deliberations on a burning issue.
- Activities of the Guidance and Counselling Unit:
The college has set up a Guidance and Counselling Unit which has an agenda of providing regular psychological support to college students.
- It was formally inaugurated by a lecture delivered by eminent psychiatrist Dr J R Ram of Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata. Two faculty members have been inducted into the unit to coordinate and oversee the workshops and counseling sessions conducted within the institution. The students are also welcome to approach the teachers with any problem they might face during their tenure in college. The faculty members always give them a patient and sympathetic hearing and are known to have helped students find a way out of difficult situations quite a number of times.
- At the initiative of the Unit, Rotary Narayan Nethralaya conducted a free eye check-up camp which benefited both students and staff members.
- Placement Services provided to students:
The Placement Cell collaborates with a number of IT Companies and other service sector units for organizing campus recruitment programmes. The cell also takes the initiative of organizing awareness programmes to keep the students abreast of various professional courses which they can opt for to gain a competitive edge in the job market.
- Development programmes for non-teaching staff:
No development programmes for non-teaching staff has been implemented.
- Healthy practices of the institution:
- The college has opened an Eco Club which in collaboration with agencies like Greenpeace, the Public Relations Society of India is organizing programmes to generate awareness about the problem of environmental degradation and also about measures to be taken to tackle the crisis. The topic of this year’s Inter college debate, ‘Urban development invariably spells environmental crisis’ is a small step in the direction of spreading awareness on the Green Movement.
- The college also motivates its students to actively participate in the literacy
programme spearheaded jointly by Vikasini (an erstwhile arm of the AIACHE) and
Women’s Christian College Alumni Association. Through the initiative of the above bodies
it has been possible to open up the rudiments of the world of knowledge to the under-
privileged children of the neighborhood with the help of the college students.
Moreover, programmes organized to commemorate International Women’s Day, Independence Day, World Sanskrit Day, Rabindra Jayanti etc form part of the value based education imparted by the college. The Women’s Cell – a subsidiary of Vikasini which often works in tandem with a number of NGOs intermittently raises a wide spectrum of issues relating to various concerns of women in the world today through programmes within the college. The Cine Club of Women’s Christian college constitutes an effort to create an interest in art films among students. Master craftsmen in the world of film-making are introduced by academics who explain the nuances and subtleties of shots during film screening sessions to an audience normally inclined to mainstream cinema.
- Linkages developed with national/international academic/research bodies:
NA
- Any other relevant information the institution wishes to add:
The college makes a sincere effort to ensure that the students become socially aware and develop leadership qualities, and acquire an attitude of service to society and nation. The Debate Club which organizes an annual debate in memory of Ms Stella Bose and Ms NB Shome the Founder Principal and Secretary respectively, of the College plays a key role in this sphere. The Cine Club, by regularly organizing film shows, familiarizes the students with the creative genius of maestros. Flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day, observance of Sanskrit Day, International Women’s Day etc. generate within the student community a sense of responsibility towards society.
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