criterion iv infrastructure and learning...

Self Study Report, May 2015 42

St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam

CRITERION IV

INFRASTRUCTURE AND LEARNING

RESOURCES

Self Study Report, May 2015 Page 143


INFRASTRUCTURE AND LEARNING RESOURCES

4.1 Physical Facilities

4.1.1 What is the po licy of the Institut io n fo r creatio n and

enhancement of infrastructure that facilitate effective teaching

and learning?

Infrastructure Policy of the College

The College stands for the well being and educational upliftment of the

students. The Governing Body is committed in providing state of the art

facilities to the stake holders of the institution. The Governing Body

analyses the vision statement and feedback obtained from various stake

holders, the results of SWOC analysis provided by the IQAC and

prepares a log frame plan to implement its decisions. For this purpose

the College follows a three tier system:

Short-term Plan (Annual):

The Planning and Evaluation Committee annually takes

feedback from the various departments and stake holders and

proposes required renovations and additions in the

infrastructure (upgradation of classrooms, Labs and

Laboratories) to the Governing Body and the Finance

Committee.

Medium-term Plan (5 Years):

For every five years a log framing is carried out by each

department with the proposals and suggestions for future

enhancement of infrastructure and currently relevant Courses

and Support Programs for facilitating effective teaching and

learning.

Long-term Plan (10 Years):

The College prepares a long-term plan for its progress every 10

years. The College has currently initiated its plan through

“VISION 2025”.



4.1.2 Detail the facilities available for

a) Curricula r and co-curricula r activities – classrooms,

technology enabled learning spaces, seminar halls, tutorial spaces,

laboratories, botanical garden, Animal house, specialized

facilities and equipment for teaching, learning and research etc.

Facilities No./ Details

Classrooms 72 (15 to be added in 2015-2016)

Technology Enabled Learning Spaces

Albertian E-College (Online Learning) 10 PG Classrooms with smart boards 5 IT Enabled Class rooms

Audio Visual Theatre Language Lab

D-Space / E-Learning Lab (Library) Apple / Linux / Windows Computer Labs

Animation Lab 3D Facility (Library)

Renewable Energy Training Centre Math Lab Astro Lab

Computational Chemistry Lab

Seminar halls

7 Seminar Halls

Papali Hall – 2000 seats

Baccinelli Hall – 1200 seats Bernard Hall (AC) – 100 seats Seminar Hall No. 5 – 100 seats

Board Room (AC) – 32 seats Concilium (AC) - 21 Seats

Executive Hall (AC) - 15 seats

Tutorial Spaces One Classroom per department is allotted for Tutorial Space and Learning Space

Laboratories

Physics Lab (UG & PG) Chemistry Lab (UG & PG) Zoology Lab (UG & PG)

Botany Lab (UG & PG) Aquaculture Lab (UG & PG)

Specialized Laboratories: Space Science Lab Interdisciplinary Instrumentation Lab

(FIST) Renewable Energy Lab

Tissue Culture Lab Microbiology and Pathology Lab Genetics Lab

Anatomy Lab

http://alberts.ac.in/chemistry/computational-chemistry-lab/



Aquaponics / Wet Lab Weighing and Instrumentation Room CRG - Conservation Research Lab

Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden Green House Mushroom Culture

Herbarium

Animal House NA

Specialized Facilities & Equipments for Teaching

Interactive Projector

LCD Projectors Smart Boards 3D TV

LCD / LED TVs OHP facility

Digital Space Aqua Farm Aquaponics Lab

Hatchery

Learning and Research

Facilities

Interdisciplinary Instrumentation Lab Thin Film Coating Lab

Material Science Lab Spectroscopy Lab

Water Analysis Laboratory Pollution Monitoring and Quality Control Laboratory

Well Spaced Library Common Computational Facility Pathology Lab

Microbiology Lab Tissue Culture Lab

D-Space facility Journals (national/ International) e-journals

b) Extra –curricular activities – sports, outdoor and indoor games ,

gymnasium, auditorium, NSS, NCC, cultural activitie s ,

Public speaking, communica tio n skills development, yoga,

health and hygiene etc.

Facilities No./ Details

Outdoor Games

1. Football Ground 2. Hockey Ground

3. Cricket Ground 4. Tennis Court

http://alberts.ac.in/chemistry/weighingroom-2/

http://alberts.ac.in/chemistry/water-analysis-lab/

http://alberts.ac.in/chemistry/pollution-laboratory/

http://alberts.ac.in/chemistry/pollution-laboratory/



5. Ground for All the track and field events 6. Basketball Court

7. Handball Court Open Ground of 4.66 acres

Indoor Games

1. 2 Table Tennis Boards

2. 4 indoor badminton courts 3. Volleyball court

4. Carroms 5. Chess 6. Judo Hall with mats

Gymnasium

Multi-Gymnasium Centre with

following number of units. 1. 6 weight training units

2. Dumbbells 3. Barbells with different weights. Girls and Boys are given separate

timings to use the gymnasium.

Auditorium

Papali Hall with 2000 seating capacity. Balcony facility is also

available with 500 seating capacity. Baccinelli Hall with 1200 seating Capacity

2 Open Auditoriums

NSS A very active NSS unit with 150 members under the guidance of NSS

Officers

NCC

All the three NCC units are active in the College:

1. NCC Army - 50 Students 2. NCC Navy - 50 Students 3. NCC Airwing - 100 Students

Cultural Activities

The College was the champion

during the last two years of University Festival in Musical

events. Different Clubs in various Fields are working under the Arts & Cultural

Promotion Council

Public Speaking, Communica t io n Sk ills

Development

Debate & Oratory Club Language Lab

Finishing School Corporate Readiness Programme The Transferable Skill Development

Committee plans and monitors the progress of students in public

speaking and communication skills.

Yoga, Health, Dress Code and Hygiene

Talks and Workshops on these topics are arranged usually by the

initiatives of PTA, Alumni



Association, Career and Placement Cell

Finishing School

Career and Placement cell conducts

this program every year for selected third year students

Encon Club Conducts activities and awareness programs related to environment.

YI and Red Ribbon

Young Indians and Red Ribbon

Clubs are very active in creating awareness among youths.

Clubs

Prepare students for activities related

to College level and University level competitions both in Arts and Sports

4.1.3 How does the institution plan and ensure that the available

infrastructure is in line with its academic growth and is

optimally utilized? Give specific examples of the facilities

developed/augmented and the amount spent during the last four

years (Enclose the Master Plan of the Institution / campus and

indicate the existing physical infrastructure and the future planned

expansions if any).

Developed/ Augmented

1. Multipurpose indoor stadium

2. Toilets for Boys and Girls

3. Bernard AC Seminar Hall

4. Board Room

5. Seminar Hall Room No.5

6. Upgradation of Staff quarters and Hostels

7. Granite Flooring in the Main building

8. Renovated Class rooms and Smart Board facilities

9. Apple Computer Labs

10. Renewable Energy Lab

11. Interdisciplinary Instrumentation Lab

12. B.Voc Class Rooms

13. New Reception

14. New Parlour

15. Thin Film Coating Unit

16. Upgradation of Audio Visual Room



17. Zoology Research Room

18. Space Science Lab and Observatory

Future Plan

1. New College Building - 10 Storey (40 Classrooms -

Research Labs - Library - Auditorium (AC) -

Residential facility for Seminars)

2. IT enabled Class Rooms

3. Wifi enabled Campus

4. Ladies Hostel

5. Indoor Basketball/Volleyball Court

6. Shooting Range

7. Squash Court

8. State of the Art Gymnasium

9. Outdoor Mini Stadium

4.1.4 How does the institution ensure that the infrastructure facilities

meet the requirements of students with physical disabilities?

All the existing infrastructures are made and the future

construction projects in the campus are planned according

to the norms for persons differently-abled.

Ramps and slopes are created near the entrance of the

college and library to make it differently-abled friendly.

Wheel Chair is made available on demand.

Special desks that will help the learning experiences of

differently-abled persons.

Differently-abled students are provided special rooms with

specific care and attention during University exams.



4.1.5 Give details on the residential facility and various provisions

available within them:

Staff Quarters

The Facilities available in the Staff Quarters

8 family quarters

Recreational facilities like Badminton and Carroms.

Parking facility

Internet Facility

Hostel

The Facilities available in the Hostel

Accommodation for 56 students with each floor

having to ilets and dr ink ing water facility.

Recreational facilities, gymnasium, Basketball

court, Table Tennis Ha ll, Carroms.

Reading room with books and Magazines

Computer facility including access to internet

MoU for medical emergencies with Lourdes Hospital

which is only 3 kilometers from hostel

Internet and Wi-Fi facility is available in Campus

24 hours security in the Campus and also in the

Hostels

4.1.6 What are the provisions made available to students and staff in

terms of health care on the campus and off the campus?

A medicentre is functioning in the campus.

The College has signed an MoU with Lourdes Hospital, one of the

well equipped Hospitals in the city which is only 3 kms from the

College.

Every 2nd Wednesday and 4th Wednesday of the month, one doctor is

available in the campus for medical consultation.



Emergency Ambulance facility is also available

Students insurance Scheme

First Aid Training

Informative lectures were conducted on topics like

Breast Cancer, Heart, Hygiene etc

Medical camps were organized for staff and students

on Dental care and eye care

First Aid box in each department

Cooperative Society arranges medical checkup for

staff members

Ambulance Service

Staff Medical insurance

4.1.7 Give details of the Common Facilities available on the campus

Common Facilities Description

IQAC Office with Internet, Printing and

Scanning Facility

Counseling and Career

Guidance Centre

Counseling room with necessary

infrastructure and reference books.

Supported with a team of trained

counselors

Health Centre Consultation Room with facilities such

as Waiting Area, Doctor's table and

chair, Patient stool, Chair for

bystander, Examination cot, (Partition

with curtain), Pillow, Bed sheet, Pillow

cover, Draw sheet, Step-stool,

Mackintosh, Washbasin, Hand-towel,

Hand wash solution, Cupboard,

Prescription papers, Thermometer,

Weighing machine, Stadiometer

(height), B.P. apparatus, Torch,



Disposable gloves and Emergency kit,

Dressing set-gauze, Cotton, Artery

forceps, Bowl, thump forceps)

Betadine lotion and Betadine ointment

and an office attendant shall be

deployed to help the Clinic on above

said days.

Canteen A fully functional canteen which has

separate space for Staff as well as

Students.

Recreational spaces for

staff and students

An indoor stadium with games like

Table tennis, Badminton and other

indoor games

Safe drinking water

facility

In every floor aqua guard water facility

is available

Ground Floor - A separate drinking

water facility is available

Auditorium Papali Hall – 2000 seating capacity

Baccinelli Hall – 1200 seating capacity

Open Auditorium - 2 nos.

Ladies Room A room with cot and necessary

infrastructure with a team of trained

counselors

AV Room Two movie theatres with 30 seating

capacity

Cafeteria A coffee machine and snack-bar

counter

Vehicle Parking Two separate areas are available for

parking the vehicles of staff and

students

Basement Parking is nearing

completion



Chapel A Serene place to be with God.

Generator A Generator which can provide

electricity to the complete building.

A portable generator is also available

Incinerator Used to burn the wastage

Indoor Stadium An Open multipurpose indoor stadium

CCTV The campus is under CCTV

surveillance which is monitored by the

Principal and recorded.

Public Address System Announcements are audible to students

through the speaker systems situated

all through the campus. (Two TV s are

also used for important notifications)

4.2 LIBRARY AS A LEARNING RESOURCE

4.2.1 Does the library have an advisory committee? Specify the

composition of such a committee. What significant initiatives have

been implemented by the committee to render the library,

student/user friendly?

Yes, we have a library advisory committee. The Principal is ex-officio

its Chairperson and the Librarian is the Secretary and the Librarian of

AIM is the Joint Secretary. The Committee comprises of 2

representatives of the Management, 2 Heads of the Departments, 2

senior faculty members, a member from each department, and 2

student representatives.

Guidelines of the library are formulated by the committee. Some of the

significant suggestions that were approved and implemented to make it

user friendly are:



To conduct library orientation program to all the first year degree

students at the beginning of the academic year

To complete the classification and cataloguing of books and the

computerization of the entire library activities and provision of

online public access catalogue

To establish a digital library with sufficient number of computers

and free internet and other e-journal and online database facility.

To establish printing scanning and reprography facility in the

library

Extension of the library working hours by adjusting the shift of

the library staff.

For speedy circulation of the books in the counter bar-coding

facility established.

Book banks were developed for the long term issue of the

textbooks to the economically backward students.

An online institutional repository has been developed in D-space

digital library platform for uploading the publications and lecture

notes of the Albertian academic community and to make it

available round the clock through internet facility.

A 3D TV for the screening of the Educational CD’s and

programs has been installed.

Development of resources for differently-abled students.

Best user awards were constituted to encourage the maximum

utilization of the library resource.

4.2.2 Provide the details of the following

Total area of the library - 791 sq. meters

Total seating capacity - 250+18 (Digital Library)

Working Hours - 8am- 5pm (actual working

hours as per govt. order is 9 am- 4 pm)

We have separate accession, circulation, reference, periodical and

maintenance section and a digital library/IT zone in the library.



For each department books are arranged subject wise and separate

space is allocated for each subject departments. Stack room, reading

area and reference section are provided. There is also a common

reading hall in the library.

4.2.3 How does the library ensure purchase and use of current titles,

print and e-journals and other reading materials? Specify the

amount spent on procuring new books, journals and e-resources

during the last four years

New print catalogues from the publishers are kept in the library,

referring these and other online resources the Heads of the departments

and the staff members are selecting the books needed for each

department. These books are purchased by the library as per the

availability of the fund. Users’ suggestions are also considered for

purchasing the new books and periodicals.

Library

holdings

2013/14 2012/13 2011/12 2010/11

Number Total

cost Number

Total

cost Number

Total

cost Number

Total

cost

Text books

145 20024 110 23838 172 22458 405 87873

Reference books

1153 211686 843 253518 790 112293 1187 341090

Journals/ Periodicals

44 78130 43 64152 28 37186 28 36047

e-journals 9000 9000 9000 9000

(During 2014/15 2531 Volumes of books costing Rs. 5,30,676.00 and 6

International Journals costing Rs. 32,334 have been added to the

collection)

4.2.4 Provide details on the ICT and other tools deployed to provide

maximum access to the library collection?

OPAC

Yes



Electronic Resource Management package for e-journals

Yes

Federated searching tools to search articles in multiple databases

Yes

Library website

Yes library has a website.

Library automation

Library is fully automated

Total number of computers for public access

18 computers

Total number of printers for public access

2 printers + 2 photocopiers

Internet band width/speed

Broadband 2mbps

Institutional repository

Yes in D-space. URL is http//dspace.stalberts.in

Content management system for e–learning

Yes

Participation in Resource sharing networks/consortia (like

INFLIBNET)

Yes, N-List consortia of INFLIBNET, J-gate and EBSCO are

available.

3D Lab facility

4.2.5 Provide details on the following items:

Average number of walk-ins

200

Average number of books issued/returned

50

Ratio of library books to the students enrolled

35 books per student

Self Study Report, May 2015 6


Average number of books added during last three years

8611 books per year

Average number of login to OPAC

130

Average number of login to e-resources

50

Average number of e-resources downloaded/printed

20

E-content

Number of information literacy trainings organized

One formal training class at the beginning of the academic year and

then informal trainings as per the need of individual users.

Details of “weeding out” of books and other materials

Very Old, outdated and mutilated books are weeded out from the

library and one register is maintained for entering the details of weeded

out books.

4.2.6 Give details of the specialized services provided by the

library

Manuscripts

Two sets of ‘thaliolas’ are available in the library

Reference

Reference service is provided to the users by the librarian and other

staff members. Personal assistance is provided to the users in searching

the catalogue, internet, institutional repository and finding the books

from the stack room.

Reprography

Photostat facility is available

Inter Library Loan Service

An agreement with our sister concern, St. Paul’s College, Kalamassery.

Our students are using CMFRI library and CUSAT library.

Through our online repository others can use our resources.



Information deployment and notification

Yes. We have a service to collect the details of various scholarships

useful for our students and notify them in the library notice board.

Information is also deployed in the Common Digital Signage Board.

Download

The digital resources in the digital library can be downloaded by the

users.

Printing

Print out of the digital resources can be taken from the library. Two

laser printers are available in the library.

Reading list/ Bibliography compilation

We help the Research scholars in compiling bibliographies/reading

lists for their research.

In-house/remote access to e-resources

Yes. Online institutional repository can be accessed through internet

anywhere in the world round the clock.

User Orientation and awareness

User orientation programs are conducted at the beginning of the

academic year to the first year students.

INFLIBNET/IUC facilities

Yes. N-list online database of INFLIBNET is available in the library.

4.2.7 Enumerate on the support provided by the Library staff to the

students and teachers of the college.

We are providing the services like circulation service, reference

service, referral service, current awareness service, reprography service

etc. In the collection building process users opinion is considered.

Subject books are selected by the teachers.

Library is worked for the extra 2 hours per day for the benefit of the

students and teachers.



4.2.8 What are the special facilities offered by the library to the

visually/physically challenged persons? Give details.

Yes.

Special seating facility is made available for these students in the

library and 3D room.

Special Keyboard

Ramps and rails

Wheel Chair

4.2.9 Does the library get the feedback from its users?

The Library is getting the feedback from the users. User surveys are conducted

periodically and then the data sheets are transferred to the Data Analysis

Committee for analysis and as per the analysis report corrective measures are

taken if needed. There is also a formal register for entering the complaints and

suggestions of the users in the library. Apart from this the users are free to mee t

the Librarian and other staff tg members and express their opinion/complaints if

any and suggestions for the further improvement of the library services.

4.3 IT Infrastructure

4.3.1. Give details on the computing facility available (hardware and

software) at the institution.

• LAN facility - Yes

• Wifi facility - Yes

Any Other:

• Servers - 4

• Mac (Apple) Lab - 1

• Linux Lab - 1

• Windows Labs - 5

• Hardware Lab - 1

• 3D Facitity - 1

• Computational Chemistry Lab - 1

• Math Lab - 1

• SAAS



Computing Facility Available

Department LCD OHP PC Laptop Printer Smart

Board scanner Others

Chemistry 1 1 14 1 5 1 1 Paxiscope-

1

Physics 2 2 25 1 2 1 1

Botany 1 1 5 0 3 1 1

Zoology 1 0 4 0 1 1 0

Mathematics 1 1 12 1 1 2 1

Aquaculture 2 2 5 0 2 1 0

Commerce 1 1 5 2 1 1 0

Economics 0 0 3 0 1 1 0

English 1 1 3 0 1 1 0

CD

player-2 DVD

player (1)

Malayalam/ Hindi

0 0 3 0 1 0 0

Management 3 0 75 2 3 1 3 TV

Library 0 0 22 0 2 0 2

Hardware

Lab 0 0 25 0 0 0 0

Mac Lab 0 0 60 0 0 0 0

Animation 0 0 20 0 0 0 0

Language lab

0 0 25 0 0 0 0

Software Available -

Windows OS

Linux Ubuntu OS

Mac Yosenmite X OS

Albertian Admission Portal

Albertian Job Portal

MATLAB

SPSS

SIGMAPLOT

SAP Authorized Learning Kit



Book Magic

D-Space

3D Maya

Smart Board Software

Moodle

Albertian Android App

Character reader Software

Albertian E College

Tally ERP 9

4.3.2 Detail on the computer and internet facility made available to the faculty

and students on the campus and off-campus?

Centralized Server

MAN connected OFC

Internet facility in all departments

Digital library with 3D facility, computer lab with 10 terminals with

internet facility

D-Space facility available in the Library

Language lab with 30 terminal is available for the staff and students with

necessary software.

Wifi facility

E-learning space

Smart board in 10 PG Classrooms

State of the Art MAC/Windows/Linux Labs

Hardware Lab

Department Labs

Off-Campus

Online Library Facility

D-Space facility

Online examination for students

Moodle (Details of assignments, seminars for students)

Albertian E College



Albertian Admission Portal

Albertian Job Portal

4.3.3 What are the institutional plans and strategies for deploying and

upgrading the IT infrastructure and associated facilities?

To develop an in-house examination software in view of

Autonomy (which covers - Attendance, Internal Marks,

Examination Fee Collection, Question Bank, Paper Setting,

Printing of Questions, Integration of Evaluation of Semester

Exams, Publishing of Results )

To conduct online examinations for internal assessment

To apply for the admission to UG and PG courses

To apply online for the appointments of teaching and non-

teaching staff members

To give the students teaching materials online and also to give

assignments, seminars etc..

To increase the use of Smart Classrooms

To improve the Computation facility mainly for the teachers and

researching students

To get the attendance of the students and Staff (biometric )

To introduce IPS (indoor positioning system) for the better

connectivity to the different facilities in the college

4.3.4 Provide details on the provision made in the annual budget for

procurement, upgradation, deployment and maintenance of the

computers and their accessories in the institution (Year wise for

last four years)

2011 2012 2013 2014

2,37,000 2,45,175 2,65,200 30,00,000



4.3.5 How does the institution facilitate extensive use of ICT resources

including development and use of computer-aided teaching/

learning materials by its staff and students?

- Training in Apple Content Development

- Training in use of Smart Board for faculty

- Submission of Assignments online by the students

- Online exams are conducted through the ICT facility

- Students are encouraged to apply for scholarship online

- DSpace, Feedback, assignments, etc..

Resource sharing

Student assessment

Extra –curricular learning support

e-article review

Assignment Preparation

Moodle

4.3.6 Elaborate giving suitable example s on ho w the learning

activities and technologies deployed (access to on-line teaching -

learning resources , independent learning, ICT enabled

classrooms/learning spaces etc.) by the institution place the

student at the centre of teaching-learning process and render the

role of a facilitator for the teacher.

To record smart class and provide it online.

Powerpoint presentation online

Enrichment programs related to ICT

Online quiz

Blogs and forums

Senior students using PPP to teach junior students

Seminars conducted by students using audio visual media

Training is given for students for content development



Encouraging Students to develop clips and animations

The Management Classes are recorded using High Definition CCTVs and made

available to the students for future reference

4.3.7 Does the Institution avail of the National Knowledge Network

connectivity directly or through the affiliating university? If so,

what are the services availed of?

Yes. The services are

INFLIBNET

DSpace

IIT Bombay

4.4 Maintenance of Campus Facilities

4.4.1 How does the institution ensure optimal allocation and

utilization of the available financial resources for maintenance

and upkeep of the following facilities (substantiate your

statements by providing details of budget allocated during last

four years)?

a. Building Saturdays and Sundays for National Examinations,

NGOs

b. Furniture Exams, IGNOU Classes, Keltron Classes, NGOs

c. Equipment IGNOU, Outside Researchers, Neighbouring Colleges

d. Computers Keltron, IGNOU, Online Exams

e. Vehicles Diocese

f. Auditorium Public Functions, NGOs, Government Organizations

g. Ground For NGOs, Multi-Religious Functions, Government Organizations, National Games (SAI)

h. Aqua Farm For Paddy Cultivation

4.4.2 What are the institutional mechanisms for maintenance and

upkeep of the infrastructure, facilities and equipment of the

college?

Support of UGC

Management Funding



Personnel Appointed

oInstrument Maintenance Facility with a full time

permanent Mechanic is available.

oA System Administrator is available in the College for

taking care of the ICT facilities.

Annual Maintenance Contracts

oFor certain sophisticated instruments maintenance

contract is also signed.

Support of Alumni and PTA

4.4.3 How and with what frequency does the institute take up

calibration and other precision measures for the equipment/

instruments?

In each semester, the sample instruments are calibrated so that one can

check the reading of the instruments and compare it with other

instruments.

4.4.4 What are the major steps taken for location, upkeep and

maintenance of sensitive equipment (voltage fluctuations,

constant supply of water etc.)?

There is a Centralized Generator to support the entire College. The

departments are having UPS and power backups. The sensitive

equipments received under UGC, FIST and DBT programs which are

maintained in centralized laboratories which have a separate UPS

system in getting constant, proper supply of electricity and Air

Conditioned Environment for humidity control.

Water harvesting, a Well with a filtration kit and 3 direct water

connections provide for an uninterrupted supply of water



Any other relevant information regarding Infrastructure and

Learning Resources which the college would like to include.

The following facilities are also available in the College

Astronomy lab with telescope

50 KV Solar Grid has been sanctioned by ANERT and MNAE

Agreement with St. Paul’s College for sharing Library, Ground,

Hostel, Research Facilities and Other feasible infrastructure.

Agreement with Rajeev Gandhi Indoor Stadium - Regional

Sports Centre (A Semi Govt. Organization) for sharing

facilities in lawn tennis, football, basketball

criterion iv infrastructure and learning...

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