Best Practices 2019-20

BEST PRACTICE -1

TITLE OF THE PRACTICE:

Social Outreach Program

1. CONTEXT

Social outreach and services are those that extend our expertise and technological capacity to serve in our communities, our state, the nation and the world.

At the heart of the commitment are the values of engagement and communication. The specific goal is to improve and enhance the health and well-being of our communities and environment through outreach programs and collaboration with our constituents to implement a new vision for engagement and outreach at some nearby places for health, hygiene and well-being through counseling the communities and to produce a measurable output.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE PRACTICE:

•             To develop more effective, sustainable and equitable relationships with our communities to address social challenges followed by their development.

•             To create engagement task force for outreach that serves as a portal of access for the said communities and citizens.

•             To enhance the consistency, follow up and impact through the outreach.

•             To strengthen culture of support for community engagement and serve the community, with proposed activities, outreach practices with institutional initiatives.

3. THE PRACTICE:

The engagement task force is created by the Principal in consultation with all the departments. The various activities are conducted as per the need of the community, convenience of the department and available resources. These are highlighted as follows:

Dept. of Food Technology –

Nutritional Awareness:

Social Outreach Program in Food and nutrition are designed to train community members regarding developing healthy life-styles, particularly in improving nutrition and promoting physical activity. Department of Food Technology has organized various Social Outreach Programs through lectures, Demonstrations of healthy recipes, Street plays etc. These activities aimed to improve knowledge and behavior amongst community in order to prevent life-style related diseases and chronic health conditions. Such activities benefited pre-school, school going children and women of reproductive age.

Dept. of Interior Design -

To raise awareness among communities of Rashivde village, Kolhapur in the form of hygienic concern and by giving a proper interior layout plan for the Rashivde Grampanchayat also developing an alternative landscape plan for the Gramdevat Temple.

The beneficiaries were the local communities to whom the importance of proper sanitation was conveyed in form of slogan so as to make them aware of health and hygiene. As well as the Rashivde Grampanchayat and its staff along with the Talathi and Grampanchayat chairman and his members were benefitted with direct site work done by students modifying the existing interior layout of grampanchyat office to meet proper circulation and space utilization. Another targeted social outreach was the Gramdevat Temple, for which the students drafted on site landscape layout alternative plan which was beneficial for entire Rashivde community. Thus the interior department along with student and the staff conducted very successful outreach program.

Dept. of Fashion Design –

Skill Training:

Women workers from Grape winery were identified and trained for cutting, stitching and printing shopping bags in different size and shape. Staff and students were involved in this practice. Under the collaboration with Fresh Express, Sangli, training program was organized through Sakhi Ladies Training Workers. Total 30 women were trained under the label of Grape with Heart. The same shopping bags made by these women workers were displayed and distributed in Berlin Fruit Logistica – An International Fruit Conference.

4. OBSTACLES FACED IF ANY AND STRATEGIES ADOPTED TO OVERCOME THEM:

The areas of focus for outreach program were: a remote place, with less literate and diverse personalities. It was very difficult to get them aware about the health, hygiene, well – being, sustainable living and was also difficult to train the individuals with skills. So to enhance thinking and lifestyle of these people and to make them aware towards these things was a major obstacle.

Strategies adopted: - Faculty members with students of individual department visited the selected places and had interaction, demonstration and training with the specific group of people regarding above topics. Presentations were given to them in terms of colorful images, posters, 3D views, demonstration, printing techniques, and sewing techniques as per their understandable manner to ensure the success of the program.

5. IMPACT OF PRACTICES:

The positive outcome of the practice can be highlighted as:

•             Healthy participation of staff and students.

•             An increase in the confidence level and improvement in personality of the students as they are exposed to field experiences and learn to handle project from scratch till execution.

•             These experiences will boost their site knowledge and help them in their future career.

6. RESOURCES:

•             Field personnel and their availability is a prime requirement.

•             Availability of authorized persons like Grampanchayat authorities, etc.

•             Activity specific materials.

BEST PRACTICE -2

1.            TITLE OF THE PRACTICE:

Renewable Energy Resources (on – grid solar power plant)

2.            CONTEXT:

Solar energy is renewable source of energy as it can be used to produce electricity as long as the sun exists. India holds an important place in the global education industry.

India has one of the largest networks of higher educational institutions in the world. Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education reached 25.8 percent in 2017 – 18. This presents a very good opportunity for solar rooftop in educational institutions.

It also helps house renewable energy to bring down energy cost. Setting up a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant, will not only contribute towards reduction in overall costs of energy for the premises but also to contribute to a greener or sustainable environment.

3.            OBJECTIVES OF THE PRACTICE:

•             To install solar power plant on the roof terrace and generate solar energy.

•             Offsetting of green house gases.

•             To utilize the generated solar power for institution as substitute to conventional power supply.

•             To export the excess generated solar power to national grid.

•             To impart practical knowledge among students from this working.

•             To augment long term research in the field of solar power.

•             To become a role model among the public in going green.

4.            THE PRACTICE:

Considering the grooving energy demand from various sectors our college has decided to go for use of nonconventional energy resources for all its internal consumptions by installing roof top solar panels.

For the last five years, energy usage, our annual requirement is about 16824 units. We have installed 46 numbers of solar panels with the install capacity of 20kw with capital cost of Rs. 547676/- in the month of November 2018. Solar system has given excellent results which have generated 37372 units of solar energy for November 2018 to July 2020. On an average the system generates about 50 units of energy per day. That is about 18000 units per year against our requirement of 16825 units. Thus, making college self-sufficient to export the surplus energy to national grid.

Generation of solar energy has given number of environmental benefits in terms of offsetting green house gases. Such as solar energy generated is equivalent to creation of 41.6 hectare of forest land, saves 482278 kg of carbon dioxide which reduces pollution made by 6 passenger cars emitting carbon dioxide, over 106.32 hours. Reduction of 236.64 kg of nitrous oxide which is equivalent to requirement of power to 2094 computer for a year. And also reduces 1393 kg of sulphur oxide which equivalent to emission of carbon dioxide by TV over 103005 hours.

5.            OBSTACLES FACED IF ANY AND STRATEGIES ADOPTED TO OVERCOME THEM:

•             Poor service from suppliers after installation

•             Daily cleaning of panels is necessary to improve efficient power generation. Care should be taken of obstacles falling on the panels like tree shadows. So, daily maintenance and accordingly the man power are required for the same.

Strategies adopted

•             Local experts are contacted and taken service on need basis.

6.            IMPACT OF THE PRACTICE:

•             Sustainable and Renewable Energy Sources

•             Builds good will with the community

•             Good learning opportunities

•             Utilization of terrace for installation of solar panels resulting in the accumulation of truly renewable energy source.

7.            RESOURCE REQUIRED:

In house experts and local agencies.

Best Practices 2015-16

BEST PRACTICE -1

1. TITLE OF THE PRACTICE :  Industry Institute Interaction
2. CONTEXT

The higher education scenario of the region mainly focuses on the aspect of Academic performance of the students by concentrating on this aspect. Sometimes there are chances to miss out and tap the hidden talent of the students. So to bridge this gap, a program of industrial interaction is framed as a best practice by the institution as the all running programs are more professional oriented and inclined towards the industrial culture.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE PRACTICE :

As per the vision of the institute as a best practices the objective for Industry Institute Interaction are as follows:

To mould and change the outlook of the students towards their theoretical aspect by providing direct visionary plan through professional personalities outlook.

To meet the in-outs and to learn the market and customer demands, to learn the business foundation and planning.

4. THE PRACTICE :

The guidelines for Industry Institute Interaction program under Best Practice is chartered by Principal with the staff which is included in the academic calendar plan. The various activities conducted are highlighted as follows:

• Assessment of performance to motivate students & to make them aware the functioning of industries in the market.
• Organizing field visits:

As the students are exposed to the functioning of industries and having the live experience, students link their theoretical aspects with practical experiences which is imparted by such practice.

5. OBSTACLES FACED IF ANY AND STRATEGIES ADOPTED TO OVERCOME THEM :

Main obstacle for organising Industry Institute Interaction is a time factor as we need to plan according to convenience of the Industrial person with the regular curriculum.

• Strategy adopted :

To overcome this time constraints the college planned an Academic calendar and proper time schedule which is submitted to the respective Industrial person by the departments as per their departmental activity beforehand and their convenient time slot is secured within the academic calendar.

6. IMPACT OF PRACTICES :

The positive outcome of the practice can be highlighted as:

• Healthy participation of students
• Increase in confidence level of students as they are exposed to the field, market requirements and the functioning of the industry.
• Students get to know the resources needed to fulfill the demands of industry and the customers as they are in a position to relate their theoretical aspects with the field experiences.
• Industry Institute Interaction benefits student for internship, placement and self-employment.

7. RESOURCES :

• Professional personals are required to impart their experiences and their time factor is a prime requirement.
• Financial support from Management.

BEST PRACTICE -2

1. TITLE OF THE PRACTICE :  Knowledge Exchange Forum

2. CONTEXT :

As the college runs multidisciplinary profession oriented programmes, Principal and faculty members planned for this new concept of knowledge exchange forum. The staff and students of different departments get to know the glimpse of other courses (programme) contents and thus generate the interest and parallel new avenues that are open to the students.

Staff and Students of different departments exchange and interact their curriculum with one another thus bridging the gap of personal communication.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE PRACTICE :

In the line with the institutional vision this activity is been adopted as a best practices in a form of “Knowledge exchange forum“.

• To provide all round development in staff and students for teaching and learning phase.
• To develop the keen interest in other fields as to nurture the hidden talent of the staff and students.
• To promote the interaction among the staff & students and provide exchange forum of one another’s curriculum details.

4. THE PRACTICE :

The guidelines for Knowledge Exchange Forum are charted by Principal in consultation with staff and notified to the students. Under this Knowledge Exchange Forum faculty members from different departments were invited to deliver lecture in their domain subject twice in a month. Similarly, same method was practiced for the students of different departments.

5. OBSTACLES FACED IF ANY AND STRATEGIES ADOPTED TO OVERCOME THEM :

• Because of ongoing teaching plan, it is very difficult to have a common time for all the divisions of different programmes.
• Selection of suitable topic

Strategy Adopted :

• The slot for such activities are kept in mind so that the normal class routines are  not affected. The college copes the time factor issue as the knowledge exchange forum is delineated by the respective faculty of each department and the co-operation extended by the various departments students.
• Keeping in mind interdisciplinary nature of different programmes, generalized topics were selected.

6. IMPACT OF THE PRACTICE :

The positive outcome of the practice can be highlighted as:

• To promote inter-departmental relationship and interaction.
• Healthy Participation of staff and students.
• An increase in the confidence level of the students as they are exposed to new and important aspects of other subjects.

7. RESOURCE REQUIRED :

• Subject experts (in house)
• Common time slot

Space to accommodate large number of students

Best Practices 2018 -19

Best Practices I

1. TITLE OF THE PRACTICE

Add-on courses

2. THE CONTEXT:

Prevailing system of higher education in the region focuses mainly on academic aspects and performance at the expense of other innate talents in the students. Being an affiliated college curriculum is designed by the parent university. It’s very difficult to change the syllabus frequently. The present education system is student centric and need to be focused on their employability. There is a dynamic change in the requirement of recruiters which may not be 100% met through the existing curriculum. Therefore, there is a need for introduction of add-on courses to bridge this gap to make our students more employable and develop entrepreneurship skills.

So, add-on courses enable the teacher to act like motivator to the students gain maximum academic benefit.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PRACTICE

In line with the institutional vision add-on courses is been adopted as a best practice by the institution with the following objectives:

• Make our students more employable and develop entrepreneurship skills.
• Project an institution that moulds and provides all round development in the student’s educational phase.
• Develop holistic academic growth along with social and professional development.

3. THE PRACTICE:

During this academic year college has introduced six add-on courses including three foreign languages (French, German, Japanese) and three add-on courses in respective functional areas. Depending upon the course requirement, content of the course is developed with a weightage of 2 to 4 credits (one credit = 15 contact hours). For developing the course content committee of experts with head of the departments as a chairman is appointed by Principal.

The guidelines of add-on courses are charted by Principal in consultation with the management which is included in the annual academic calendar. The various activities conducted are highlighted as follows:

Assessment of performance: Motivating students to participate in form of oral, theoretical, practical and site experiences in the time schedule framed for the course.

Organizing competition: These competitions are organized with the intent of knowledge dissimilation to develop effective language skills to enable simultaneous improvement in academics.

Organizing field visits:  These activities are conducted to enable students appreciate as they are able to link actual class room teaching with practical working.

Awarding Certificate: Certificates are awarded to students on successfully completion of course.

4. OBSTACLES FACED IF ANY AND STRATEGIES ADOPTED TO OVER COME THEM:

The tight schedule involved in the University Laid-down semester system is a major obstacle faced by the college.

Strategy Adopted: To overcome time constraints, the college drafts an Annual Academic Calendar incorporating all academic as well as add-on courses framework with effective time management and to ensure success of the programme. Such add-on courses activities are slotted keeping in mind that the normal class routines are not affected. The college has been able to cope the issues of time factor due to the effective participation and cooperation from the students as well as the management.

5. IMPACT OF THE PRACTICE:

The positive outcome of the practice can be highlighted as:

• Healthy Participation of the students.
• An increase in the confidence level of the students as they are exposed to new and important aspects of their respective curriculum courses.
• Such activities as framed for short term generates interest and curiosity among the students to show their personal skills.
• Improvement in the personality and confidence level and also teamwork culture is developed among the students.

6. RESOURCE REQUIRED:            

• Professional personals are required to impart their inputs.
• Field personals are also required to impart practical knowledge.

Best Practices II

Title of Practice:  Beat Plastic 

The context that required the initiation of the practice:

The biggest change in the last several years is the strong move towards eco-friendly surrounding. It’s becoming more and more common to see shoppers using their own cloth tote when they go shopping. Stores are beginning to pose the question, “Do you need a bag?” And many countries and companies around the world are looking to reduce their plastic use by taxing or banning plastic bags altogether. Plastic is one of the major threat to environment. It is found that on and average about 500 gm of solid waste is generated per person per day. Amongst this solid waste plastic is totally non-biodegradable and remains in environment for thousands of years.  On the eve of World Environment Day United Nations declared the theme for 2018 as “Beat Plastic Pollution”. In line with this statement college has taken at most care to make it plastic free by educating students on it’s adverse impact on environment and also providing a solution by making available cotton bags.

Objective of the practice:

• To educate and encourage the students about beat plastic pollution.  
• Resource conservation and energy conservation.
• Sustainable use of natural resources.
• Use of recycled resources.
• Simplified waste management.

Obstacles faced if any:

Initially it was a big challenge to change the mind-set of the people to use cotton bags instead of routinely used plastic bags. The other obstacle is the existing curriculum which challenges the time constraints for such additional activities.

Strategies adopted to overcome them:

Awareness was created regarding the beat plastic pollution and hazards of non-biodegradable waste by providing alternate ecofriendly method. Additional time slot was allotted to accommodate such activities during the process and framing of the academic calendar.

Impact of the practice:

The outcome of this practice has made the students, staff and stake holders aware of the environmental impact. Cloth bags are better than plastic bags for many reasons, but two of the biggest reasons are: Cloth bags are reusable, decreasing the need to use more materials for single-use production and Cloth bags reduce plastic use and there by plastic pollution. Technically it takes much less energy and resources to produce a reusable bag. The advantages of cloth bags are also compounded by their environmental impact. Many reusable cloth bags are now being made from recycled materials. These recycled, reusable bags are taking otherwise discarded plastic waste and producing long lasting, durable cloth bags that can be used for years to come. Cloth bags, because of their reusable nature, help reduce the amount of single use plastic bags being used and inadvertently discarded into the environment. One of the most impactful steps we can take as individuals is to reduce our use of single plastics and substituting disposable bags with reusable cloth bags. Cloth bags are also multipurpose, which means that you could reduce your plastic use in many areas of your life. They are economical, more sustainable, and might just give you the peace of mind that you’re preventing plastic pollution with every use.

Department of Fashion Designing has initiated this best practice of making cotton shopping bags by using waste generated during the cutting process of fabric. During this academic year, about 2000 shopping bags in various sizes out of the stitching waste were made by the students and distributed free of cost to the public at large.

Resources required:

As we are running a fashion Designing department we have major wastage of fabric during the cutting process. This waste can impact the environment resources. So this waste material is appropriately and skill fully reused for making the bags which generates economic additional support to the students and also fulfills the social cause.  Lowest resources are required for this like Cotton Fabric, cotton bags can be made from organic cotton, recycled cotton (reclaimed cotton scrap) or traditional cotton, Sewing machines for stitching.