Goa University prepares to retain 'A' grade by NAAC evaluation in 2019

After being upgraded to an 'A' grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) last month, Goa University has already begun preparations to be able to retain this higher grade at the next NAAC evaluation scheduled in 2019.

Official sources said that the NAAC peer team's recommendations to GU for further quality improvements will be forwarded to faculty members of various departments of the varsity seeking suggestions on what the implementation model GU should adopt.

The university officials are also set to meet chief minister and education minister Manohar Parrikar to discuss requirements of funds in introducing the changes recommended by the NAAC's peer team.

Later, the recommendations from NAAC will be uploaded online for suggestions from the general public, source said.

Innovations like the visiting professors scheme and the varsity's efforts during the last two years to meet all the recommendations of the previous NAAC pear team seemed to have helped GU improve its grade from the earlier 'B'. The 'A' grade is the highest NAAC has to award and it will be valid for five years.

The 2014 peer team recommends that GU should introduce new programmes like e social work, law, public administration, performing arts, education; evolve mechanisms to attract and retain world-class faculty; carry out time-bound recruitment of faculty; attract students from the rest of India and even beyond; establish incubators in areas like marine science; motivate social sciences and humanities departments to take up more research work; set up cultural and heritage museums on campus; strengthen outreach programmes; and introduce scheme to appoint emeritus professors, among others.