Indore: More and more state colleges are seeking accreditation from National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), a statutory body of the University Grants Commission (UGC). According to NAAC deputy advisor Ganesh Hegde, the number of colleges with NAAC accreditation from Madhya Pradesh has increased significantly since 2014.
“In 2014 less than 100 colleges had NAAC accreditation. Today, the number is somewhere between 240 and 250,” he told Free Press during his last week visit to Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya. A look at the NAAC data revealed that 51 institutions, including universities, have A or above grade, 162 institutions have B or above grade and 25 institutions have C grade in MP.
“Earlier only a few colleges used to apply for the NAAC accreditation in the state due to lack of facilities and staff. But the trend is changing now,” Hegde said. He said: “As society looks for reliable information about quality education offered by the institutes, the NAAC accreditation provides a new sense of direction and identity to the institutions.”
The NAAC assesses the standards of institutions of higher learning and accordingly accredits them on seven different criterions. It plays a vital role in government and aided colleges as they get funds up to Rs 2 crore in every academic year.
“Initiation of student involvement for quality enhancement, Developing international linkages for mutual recognition, Promoting the concept of Lead College and Cluster of Colleges for Quality initiatives, financial support to accredited institutions for conducting seminars/workshops etc. are quality issues in Higher Education,” he added.