Panaji: Pernem taluka’s govt higher education institute Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye College of Arts and Commerce was awarded an A grade on Friday by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The institute got a cumulative grade point average of 3.1 in its third cycle of assessment, an upgrade from its previous B+ grade.
“Most of our students are from SC and OBC communities, mainly children of farmers and workers and largely first generation learners. Getting A grade for the college is an achievement for Pernem taluka. I want to thank all stakeholders,” said college principal Pravina Kerkar.
Of the 41 classrooms in the college, 37 are fitted with smartboards, and the college houses a museum with idols dating back to the second century. Besides this, the institute has an astronomy lab and a 1,000-people capacity auditorium.
“This was not possible without the support of the secretary of education and the director of higher education. Our teacher Rohit Phalgaonkar played a big part in setting up the museum among other things. It was not possible to achieve this grade single-handedly without their support,” said Kerkar.
Separate labs for geography and IT, an updated library, a centre of languages are among the other key facilities on offer at the college, which largely caters to students from economically weaker sections.