Criterion VII - Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute

Deccan College, Deemed University, Pune
Criterion-VII
Criterion VII: Innovation and Best Practices
7.1 Environment Consciuosness
7.1.1 Does the University conduct a Green Audit of its campus?
In order assess the impact of the University campus on the
environment, the University conducted the green audit under the
supervision of eminent city environmentalist Prof. Sanjeev Nalavade
and his team in year 2013- 2014. It has been revealed following
facts:
The University campus is one of the green islands of the city. It has
a vast landed property and only a small portion of this is occupied by
buildings. The large remaining open area is brought under extensive
tree plantation. This has contributed greatly to the preservation of
climatic conditions around the University and has also added to the
greenery and beauty of the city. The botanical diversity on campus
includes 250 species of plants like Acacia concinna (Shikakai),
Delonix regia (Gul-mohor), Ficus benghalensis (Wad), Ficus
racemosa (Umbar), Fecus religiosa (Pimpal), etc. It is noteworthy
that the extensive plantation on campus, calm and quiet atmosphere
has attracted a great diversity of birds. Total 44 species of birds are
found on the University campus in various seasons of year. This
biodiversity includes spotted owlet, Magpie Robin, Indian Robin,
Pigeon, Hill Mynah etc. Some rarest spies have also been located on
the campus like Golden Oriole, Barn Owls, Rosy Paster Myna,
Paradise Flycatcher, Red-throated Flycatcher, Flan tail Flycatcher,
Treepie, Green Pheasant (State bird of Maharashtra).
The University is gifted with beautiful green environment. However,
not just remaining satisfied with the gift of nature, it is making conscious
efforts to preserve and cherish it. The ‘Deccan College Nature Club”
is a group of faculty and staff members which keeps record of
plantation, animal and bird habitations on the campus, undertakes
sensitization programmes as “Know Your Campus”, publishes articles
on flora and fauna on the campus in popular media. The club has
installed bird nests and water ponds to encourage bird habitation.
The curriculum of P.G. Archaeology includes a paper of
Environmental Archaeology which covers branches like botany,
microbiology, zoology, geology, thus creating a strong awareness of
environment among students. Every year the students of M.A.
Archaeology are taken to the environmental awareness tours in the
parts of Western Ghat. This practice is in place for more than past
25 years.
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Properly maintained lawn gardens and a wood island have added
to the greenery of the campus. Besides, this e-waste and other waste
is properly managed. Overall, the University campus has very positive
impacts on the environment around.
7.1.2 What are the initiatives taken by the university to make the
campus eco-friendly?
Energy Conservation
l Minimum use of AC and UPS in the Departments thus saving
energy.
l Desktops have been bought with LCD screen to save on
energy.
l Printing is minimized and is always taken on both sides of the
paper.
l Careful usage of water.
Use of renewable energy
l Solar water heater has been installed in hostels and guest house
and use of electric geyser has been stopped.
l
The latest construction in the campus are using water retaining tiles
which holds the water and then permits it to be absorbed by the
soil which in turn increases the level of ground water table.
Water Harvesting
l There is a well built on the campus. Being located in the low land
area, rain water is naturally drained into it. Water percolating from
the open land area increases the level of water in this well. This
water is lifted to the tanks and is circulated on the campus for use.
The University has undertaken new plant of water harvesting on
three buildings.
Check Dam Construction
l The University is planning check dam construction on the eastern
side of the campus.
Efforts for Carbon Neutrality
l Carbon capturing methods such as planting trees and installing flower
pots in the building areas.
Plantation
l The University has a campus of 115 acres. The campus is very
verdant. As a matter of fact, the University has arranged to plant
over ten thousand trees over the past few years with the help of
Pune Forest Department. From time to time the University keeps
planting trees after the names of great personalities of the University
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and Nation. The University has developed five beautiful gardens on
the campus.
Hazardous Waste Management
l Acids like Sulfuric acid (H SO ), nitric acid (HNO ) that are used
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4
3
in Archaeochemistry laboratory are all diluted before being drained
out and has no hazardous impact on the campus environment.
e-waste management
l The computers, printers and other electrical and electronic devices,
which are out of use and irreparable are not given to scrap vendors,
instead they are disposed off in a scientific manner. This e-waste is
given to an NGO JanAdhar, Pune which furthers this to the
Recycling agency authorized by the Government of India. In
exchange of this e-waste, the University purchases recycled, ecofriendly stationary like conference kits etc. from this NGO.
7.2 Innovations
7.2.1 Give details of innovations introduced during the last four years
which have created a positive impact on the functioning of the
University.
Certain important innovations introduced by the University during
years under assessment have exerted positive impact on the overall
functioning of the University. They deserve mention as follows:
l
The University has introduced several innovations in curricular
aspects, teaching, learning and evaluation during the assessment
periods. For instance, the University has revised syllabi of M.A.
degree courses. It has introduced new papers such as Heritage
Management, Computational Linguistics. The revision of syllabi and
introduction of new papers have created very positive impact and
a large number of students have sought admission to M.A..
programmes of the University.
l
Effective uses of technology such as AV classrooms, PPT
presentations, computerized language laboratory for study of
practical Phonetics, students’ discussion group activity have
enhanced the teaching and learning process. Newly started
Certificate Course in Research Methodology is proving usefulness
for new researchers. Computerization on the Academic section is
helping in keeping accurate records.
l
Developing of documentation programme using computer generated
Filemaker Pro, in the Archaeology Department and the digitization
of Sanskrit scriptorium are important achievement towards
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Criterion-VII
preservation of valuable data stored in the Institute. New customised
software has been implemented in the Sanskrit and Lexicography
Department. The editors have shifted from the age-old mode of
writing entry articles and have adopted machine aided editing, thus
expediting the editing of the Dictionary.
l
Library automation and Digital Library Project: All the library
functions are automated through SLIM 21 Library Management
software. This has enhanced the library services.
7.3 Best Practices
7.3.1 Give details of any two best practices which have contributed
to better academic and administrative functioning of the
University.
Title of the Practice: Liberal Policy
Objective of the Practice
The University has created Faculty and conducive atmosphere and
the staff are given freedom to carry out academic and administrative
activities. The Authority of the University encourages the Faculty
and staff to undertake various developmental activities, but at the
same time the accountability factor is also International seminars,
conferences, workshops and provided freedom to organise similar
activities in this University also.
l
Following the principle “where the mind is without fear and the
head is held high- Rabindranath Tagore”- providing mental and
physical space so that person concerned can give his/her best to
the Institute.
l
To boost research productivity.
l
To have diversity of opinion among all stakeholders in order to
increase the academic and administrative competence for the smooth
running of the University.
l
To encourage the Faculty and research staff to develop their
expertise though participation in seminars, conferences, workshops
and symposium both Nationally and Internationally.
The Context
l Since Deccan College Deemed University is a teaching cum research
Institute, there is a lot of pressure over the Faculty and research
staff to produce high quality research and publish them annually
and also to provide a high quality teaching and training to Masters,
P.G. Diploma and Ph. D. students. In this context the liberty and
freedom provided by the authority comes in advantage to carry out
research and teaching smoothly.
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Criterion-VII
The Practice
l The Faculty The research staff and students participate and present
their latest research in seminars, congresses, workshops, symposiums
in and outside the country.
l
The staff and students are encouraged to be associated with many
organization, associations, society related to one’s subject and
specialization so that the research output can get maximum exposure
both Nationally and Internationally.
l
Faculty members give specialised lectures in other Institutes as
visiting faculty.
l
The field based research of this University is always combined with
community programmes and social development.
l
Constant collaboration not only In Institute level but also individual
level with National and International Organizations.
l
Students are given open access to books, scriptorium and even to
rare collections.
Evidence of Success
As a result of this policy the Department of Archaeology was able
to excavate in the assessment period, 29 archaeological sites of different
cultural period ranging from Stone age to Medieval. It should be
recorded that no other Department, either University or Goverment in
the country is able to carry out research on such a scale and in such
diverse fields. The Department of Linguistics and Sanskrit and
Lexicography are involved in carrying out fundamental research in the
literary field. Their help is always sought by corporate bodies for advice,
feedback and training purpose. Periodically, the results of the research
are presented in National and International gatherings and the work
done by the University is always appreciated as an original piece of
research. It is also reflected in the large number of publications, many
of which in highly reputed International journals and books. The rate
of citation of the publications of this University is extremely high in
comparison to other Universities. It has been noticed that the students
and researchers of this University are always given priority in admissions
in prestigious National and International Universities, in placements, as
resource persons and for specialised training purpose.
Problems encountered and resources required
Because of the accountability factor the authorities are occasionally
constrained to take such decisions which are not appreciated by
researchers of the University. The University gets limited funding for
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research and training purpose. The resource crunch is preventing the
University in hiring research experts which are not on the regular staff
of the University to develop some neglected fields.
Title of the Practice: Departmental Synergy
Objectives of the Practice
The University has three Departments and the common aim and
objective is to undertake study and research in heritage related fields.
All the three Departments are dealing with some aspects of ancient
heritage studies and fortunately located on the same campus. It is
absolutely necessary to develop interdepartmental collaboration to meet
the aims and objectives set by the University.
Context
Most of the Departments in the country are following either literary
sources or material sources for reconstruction of past life ways. This
has not been able to remove some of the drawbacks of the
reconstruction of history. The history that is reconstructed by other
Universities by following the above practice has therefore remained
biased. In this context this University has realised the authentic
reconstruction can be done only by synthesizing archaeological and
literary sources. As both the sources are generated by three
Departments, this University is able to build authentic history.
The Practice
The University has introduced some common papers on literary
and archaeological sources for the students for the Masters and Ph.D.
Its Bulletin is the only journal in the world publishing the results of
archaeological, linguistics and Sanskrit and Lexicography fields together.
On the Editorial board are experts from all the three Departments.
Interdepartmental participation of teachers in research and teaching is
also a common practice in this University.
Evidence of success
The University has been very productive in the research and teaching
field mainly because of the support and co-operation extended by all
Departments, administration and the authority.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required
The Department of Linguistics, Sanskrit and Lexicography do not
have the required number of specialists. As a result the Faculty of
Archaeology Department has to depend on some other Departments
outside the University campus. The lapsed post of the Linguistic
Department and the posts provided by MHRD in Sanskrit and
Lexicography Department needs to be revived and filled.
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