Best Practices – Rosary College of Commerce and Arts

2017-18

The College has a number of Best Practices. However, the abridged details of two Best Practices namely Inculcation of Values Grounded in Discipline and Zero Defect Examinations (and related activities including Evaluation) are given below:

1) Title of the Practice: Inculcation of Values Grounded in Discipline

Goals: To inculcate values and discipline in the students through value based education

The Context : The practice is undertaken by the Principal, Teaching Staff, Value Education Cell, Discipline Committee of the Institution

The Practice

Since the values among youth in our society are at an all-time low, a sound value system and discipline is of the utmost importance. Educational institutions are thus not only responsible for imparting education but are also responsible for creating disciplined employable candidates grounded in values. In this context, the College has made conscientious efforts to enhance the quality of teaching by integrating discipline and values into the teaching learning process. With this view in mind the College has adopted the following strategies with the intention of encouraging students to adopt practices that will reinforce discipline and values imbibed in the classroom: Discipline Committee, periodic checking of Identity cards, adjustment of lectures, leave notes, strict enforcement of dress code, attendance, class teacher/mentor system, morning and afternoon rounds to ensure discipline, CCTV surveillance, ban on use of Cell Phones in class and labs, Value Education classes, Morning Reflection, First Friday Mass, spiritual development programmes, Inter-Religious Dialogues, clubs promoting values and value building through community service, etc.

Evidence of Success

The appropriately implemented positive strategies in this area has led to improvements and long term effects on the lifestyle as well as the moral and mental makeup of the students as well as has created disciplined employable candidates

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

The competing tendencies in value based education in youth i.e virtue ethics and democratic values come in the way of achieving a 100% success rate

2) Title of the Practice : Zero Defect Examinations (and Related Activities including Evaluation)

Goals: To ensure a fair and just examination system by minimizing defects in the same

The Context:The Examination Committee of the College undertakes this practice to ensure a fair and just examination system

The Practice:

To the end of attaining the goal of zero defect, the College through the Examination Committee adopted suitable strategies to ensure the smooth conduct of exams, some of which are as follows: orientation programmes related to examinations and Project Paper for the students; orientation programme for new faculty on the ‘Conduct of Supervisions’; orientation related to Project Paper for TYB. Com/BA/BCA students and new faulty members; question bank and old question papers for ready reference; mock viva voce for the final year students; notifying parents of the attendance and academic progress of their children; scrutiny of question papers by the Examination Committee and the IQAC; quality checks on Project reports by the IQAC; 100% rechecking of assessed answer book: timely declaration of results, open house, display of important notices related to examinations and those related to unfair means, providing writer to the visually impaired and extra time for the physically handicapped students, scrupulous checks of whether the students have answered 2 ISA ‘tests’, and display of list of those who have not, display of list of students not eligible to answer the SEE ‘exams’, etc.

Evidence of Success

The measures initiated by the college in the above practice has minimized defects in the examination system and insulated the students from examination related problems

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

Designing a fair and just examination system is time consuming requiring detailed planning and longer schedules.

2018-19

1) Title of the Practice: Inculcation of Values Grounded in Discipline

Goals: To inculcate values and discipline in the students through value based education

The Context : The practice is undertaken by the Principal, Teaching Staff, Value Education Cell, Discipline Committee of the Institution

The Practice

Evidence of Success

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

The competing tendencies in value based education in youth i.e virtue ethics and democratic values come in the way of achieving a 100% success rate

2) Title of the Practice : Zero Defect Examinations (and Related Activities including Evaluation)

Goals: To ensure a fair and just examination system by minimizing defects in the same

The Context:The Examination Committee of the College undertakes this practice to ensure a fair and just examination system

The Practice:

Evidence of Success

The measures initiated by the college in the above practice has minimized defects in the examination system and insulated the students from examination related problems

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

Designing a fair and just examination system is time consuming requiring detailed planning and longer schedules.

2019-2020

1)Title of the Practice: Inculcation of Values grounded in Discipline

Goals: To imbibe sound value system and create disciplined and employable candidates grounded in values

The Context: This is a Management and College initiative which is mandatory for all the students of the College – Arts, Commerce, BCA, BBA, BBA T&T, MCom.

The Practice: The educational process involves not just academic goals but also the inculcation of moral standards to create a more civil and democratic society. The College has adopted various practices which will inculcate values and disciplined behaviour amongst the students of the college. Value education Classes engaged by experts which include priests, nuns and lay people, ban on use of cell phone during lecture hours, spiritual development programmes including First Friday Mass and morning reflection, Inter religious dialogues, CCTV Surveillance of the entire campus, Strict enforcement of dress code, Class teacher/mentor system etc. With this practice the college aspires to promote tolerance and understanding above and beyond our political, cultural and religious differences putting special emphasis on human rights and protection of the environment.

Evidence of Success: The practices so adopted by the college has helped in imbibing disciplined behaviour amongst the students within and outside the college and has helped them in becoming responsible citizens.

Problems encountered and Resources Required: Engaging in these practices without compromising on the lectures.

2)Title of the Practice: Social Responsibility

Goals: To mould and sensitize the students to be active agents of social change.

The Context: This practice is undertaken by the College to be responsive towards community-based development initiatives.

The Practice: The College is committed to being a socially responsible institution through various departments, cells, AICUF, NSS, NCC units and Conference of St. Joseph Vaz of St. Vincent the Paul, Community Outreach cell & Unnat Bharat Abhiyan who conduct extension and outreach programmes such as:

Drives /rallies on issues like ageing with dignity, population stabilization, Swachh Goem, Election awareness
Environment protection and waste management related activities like tree plantation drives, beach/coastal cleaning, plastic collection drive ,door to door campaigning on cleanliness, street plays and poster and essay competitions.
Christmas programme for the underprivileged children of Davorlim-Dicarpale Village. ∙ Socio economic survey of the residents of Paroda village.
Visits to orphanages and homes for the aged.
Blood donation and dental camps
Workshops on Paper Bag Making and distribution of paper bags to shop keepers in the vicinity. ∙ College has adopted the socio economically backward areas of Navelim,Telaulim, Davorlim, Chinchinim, Duessa and Aquem Baixo.
Distribution of footwear, stationery, cutlery etc to needy students.

Evidence of Success: The practices so adopted by the college has helped the students to be responsible and socially committed citizens thereby ensuring holistic development of students.

Problems encountered and Resources Required: Engaging in these practices without compromising on the lectures.

2020-21

BEST PRACTICE 1

Title of the Practice: Environment-Friendly Campus

Objectives of the Practice

To create a learning atmosphere that empowers students to become crusaders of sustainable living through ecologically responsible choices and inculcate a sense of environmental mindfulness through teaching and extension activities.
To optimize the use of Green Energy wherever possible while reducing pollution and harm to the environment.
To model and encourage, among other institutions, environmentally sustainable practices.

The Context

It is a globally acknowledged fact that environmental sustainability is one of the major concerns today. Escalating anthropogenic activity and human insensitivity towards the environment, and over-exploitation of our natural resources have led to environmental degradation and adverse consequences for all living creatures. Consequently, protecting the environment for future generations is of great significance. Since the youth constitute a large part of the population, there is a strong need to impart a sense of environmental stewardship and develop lifestyles that preserve and nurture our environment. Rosary College has taken the responsibility to nurture and care for the environment and integrate environment-friendly practices with the teaching-learning process. Rising above the challenges of limited land, finance, and human resources, the College has taken numerous initiatives to promote an environment-friendly campus.

The Practice

The institution has aggressively sought to endorse and inculcate an environment-friendly lifestyle amongst the staff and students through various eco-friendly initiatives and serves as the finest model. The most prominent practices include:

Environment-Friendly Campus Policy was devised to serve as a guiding light for the staff and students to promote an on-campus lifestyle that preserves and protects the environment.
Water conservation initiatives focus on tapping, reducing, and reusing water. The Rain Water Harvesting unit on campus can store 40,000 liters. The same is used for the garden and in the toilets. The boys’ washrooms have unique waterless urinals (11 nos.), and taps in the College washrooms have water aerators that further reduce the volume of consumed water. Also, cautionary notes in the washrooms prompt the students to report leaking taps or faucets. The main water pumps of the College are also equipped with sensors that prevent the overflow and wastage of water.
To reduce the consumption of plastic bottles, water refill stations are installed, and guests/dignitaries/ resource persons are served water in a glass jug. Anti-plastic and water conservation rallies, poster competitions, talks on reducing waste creation are held.
Energy efficiency: The garden and street lights around the campus are powered by solar energy, and the campus is lit with only LED lights. Also, bulbs and tube lights with motion sensors are installed at several locations on the campus, and cautionary notes are placed in every classroom and staffroom to switch off unused lights and fans.
Alternative sources of energy are promoted by installing the Solar on Grid Power Plant (Solar Panels) with wheeling to the grid that supplies 10KW power. Also, the Gobar- biogas plant that utilizes the wet waste from the canteen fuels a single burner in the kitchen.
Other waste from the canteen kitchen, such as onion peels, is carefully segregated and put in the Khamba- 3 Tier Stack Composter. The garden waste is placed in the Vermicomposting Unit. The generated compost and vermicompost is utilized for the garden plants and the surplus vermicompost is packaged and sold at a nominal rate.
The Smart garden and greenhouse has over 67 varieties of name-tagged medicinal and 30 ornamental plants with QR codes providing additional information about the plant.
The Kitchen garden promotes a mindset of self-sufficiency among staff and students. The College has optimized the available land for a kitchen garden with a variety of vegetable and fruit-bearing plants. Some garden produce such as coconuts, jackfruit, sweet potato, soursop, radish; and garden products such as coconut oil, brooms, bilimbi pickle (bhimli fruit), saplings of ornamental and fruit-bearing plants are sold. Other produce such as tamarind, kokum, bananas, papaya, guava, lime, and vegetables are distributed among the janitors.
The Biological diversity on campus promotes the idea of harmonious living with nature. There are 40 varieties of plants (butterfly garden) that especially attract butterflies and birds to the campus. There is also a nesting habitat for birds, bird water feeder, tortoise habitat, beehive boxes, a fish pond, and two aquariums on campus.
Students are urged to commute to the College by bicycle, and the staff is encouraged to carpool.
Waste management: All plastic, glass, paper, and recyclable waste on campus is mindfully segregated and disposed of accordingly. The institution also has two paper shredders.
The use of Rosary-MIS and other paper-saving practices such as retaining e-copies of teaching plans, and salary slips have reduced the quantum of paper used on campus. The BCA programme conducts its internal examinations, assignments, and lab journals in e-mode.
Students are encouraged to stitch and distribute cloth/paper bags to the public and grocery stores in the vicinity.
Programs and competitions are frequently conducted on themes relating to the environment.
The curriculum of several courses include topics relating to sustainable practices, preserving resources, climate change, green management, ecosystem, and biodiversity.
The building architecture: A Unique feature of the institution’s building permits sunlight to permeate into the structure through skylight, air vents, and passages that allow free flow of air across the campus with minimum electricity consumption. Special Mangalore tiles and metal sheets on the concrete roof of the building reduce the heat and save electricity. The institution also has an open-air stage.

Evidence of Success

Students have become mindful of the environment, and they enthusiastically participate in activities that help sustain the planet.
The College has received recognition for green initiatives.
There is a substantial reduction in the electricity bills of the College.
The College has earned revenue by selling plants, compost, and garden produce.
There is a reduction in the amount of paper used.
Through the rain-water harvesting plant, it is estimated that 6,50,000 liters of water are collected every year, which equals saving 6,50,000 liters of water annually.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

The initial cost of installing green energy systems is high.
Limited campus space is a hindrance to planning large-scale green initiatives.
A complete ban on the usage of plastic and paper on campus is challenging.

Notes

The Institution is exploring the possibility of acquiring additional land adjacent/ in the vicinity of the campus.
Though tireless efforts are made to completely stop the use of plastic on campus, it is an on-going process.

BEST PRACTICE 2

Title of the Practice

Fostering Social Sensitivity and a Public Spirit

Objectives of the Practice

Develop a spirit of social responsiveness accompanied with necessary skills to direct social action, thereby initiating a change in society.
Sensitize students to the community’s needs such that they become willing partners in rendering selfless service to the nation/state, especially in challenging times.

The Context

The youth, constituting a significant percentage of the entire population, are the backbone of our society. They are the future of communities and the country at large. As future leaders and pioneers of change, the youth shoulder a greater responsibility towards the nation. With a mission to empower students as responsive citizens, Rosary College acknowledges this noble responsibility and works towards fostering a community of proactive students armed with knowledge and skills to bring about a positive change in society. The College has initiated programs and projects to instill in students the need to get involved in community concerns, develop compassion for others, and render selfless service to those in need. This encourages the student community to move beyond their comfort zone and become productive members of society.

The Practice

The ethos of the College focuses on developing an educative community of responsive citizens, empowered with skills that promote the advancement of the nation as a whole and this serves as a perennial guiding dictum for activities on the campus.

Developing a public spirit:

Weekly Value Education classes on socially relevant themes apprise students of pertinent issues plaguing society and prepare them to generate a positive change.
Students regularly visit homes for the aged, orphanages, and homes for the needy in order to sensitize them to the problems and concerns of the underprivileged.
Plogging- picking up trash while jogging aims to promote physical exercise and a litter-free surrounding.

Community welfare measures:

Annually blood donation camps, talks, and awareness programs on organ/ eye donation are organized.
The College students have distributed books, stationery, shoes, spoons, soap, plates, and identity cards to the children of the Government Primary School, Navelim.
Christmas programs are conducted for the underprivileged from the local Government School and Nano Nagale Trust School.
Regular rallies, door-to-door campaigns, short films, and street plays through the village/ town served to inform and sensitize the locals on socially relevant issues.
As a part of the Sampanna Gaon, Swaympurna Goem, Atmanirbhar Bharat; the staff conducted surveys on the Economic Revival Plan for Village Panchayats in South Goa.
Student volunteers helped in organizing a Mega Health Camp in Navelim.
Health, diabetes, eye, and dental camps were organized for the general public.
Students mobilized relief funds to help people affected by the floods in Kerala.

Pollution and environment protection:

Cleanliness/plastic collection drives are regularly organized in the vicinity and nearby beaches.
Students regularly make and distribute cloth /paper bags through door-to-door campaigns in the vicinity.
Beautification and maintenance of the Panchayat garden and public divider near the College are undertaken.
On the occasion of Vanamohotsav, over 300 students participate in tree plantation drives.

Tackling the COVID-19 Pandemic:

The College was among the first few institutions to serve as a COVID-19 Vaccination center.
The College served food and water to over 2150 migrant passengers traveling from the Margao Railway Station to their hometowns.
Breakfast was served to migrants stranded in Goa due to lockdown at the Jawaharlal Indoor Stadium, Fatorda, and the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium, Navelim.
In the wake of the anguish and despondency brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, a Free Tele-counselling Service for the students, parents, and the general public was provided.
COVID-19 awareness videos were also uploaded on the College YouTube channel.
Seven hundred and thirty-nine students participated in various COVID-19 related awareness activities, including making videos and sharing COVID-19 awareness videos on social media, making face masks, downloading the Arogya Sethu Application, and educating the general public on the use of the application.
As an initiative to help the financially weaker students cope with the expense of online classes, resources were mobilized to procure mobiles phones for the students.
Students were encouraged to stitch/ distribute face masks in the locality, and 150 masks were given to the Collector of South Goa for distribution to frontline workers.
The College staff undertook deputations at various hospitals, health centers, and the COVID-19 counseling center to help combat the pandemic.

Evidence of Success

The local Panchayat, Health Centre, Directorate of Health Services, and other Non-Governmental Organizations appreciate the social service undertaken by the students and staff of the College.
Three hundred and thirty-nine pints of blood were collected during the blood donation camps. These helped replenish the available blood in the government blood banks.
Many local villagers benefitted from the health, diabetes, and dental camps held on campus.
Thousands of local villagers benefitted from the Mega Health Camps, where the College was a Co-partner.
The vaccination drive on-campus catered to 5,178 beneficiaries.
Three mobile phones were given to students.
Seventeen students were felicitated as COVID-19 warriors.
Caritas Goa acknowledged the receipt of Rupees 1,16,961 for flood relief in Kerela.
A donations of Rupees 42,828 was collected for the CM’S Relief Fund for COVID.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

Undertaking large-scale programs is not feasible due to lecture schedules, continuous academic activities, and financial constraints.
Acquiring permission from panchayats, police, RTO, and government offices is challenging.
Due to the strong influence of the virtual world, technology, and social media, students are not always receptive to social causes, making it challenging to foster a public spirit.
Public cooperation perception

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	principal@rosarycollege.org