0

0

98

AIC Report

Prof. Dr. Rasheed Ahmad

Dr. Muhammad Zubair

March 13, 2014

Department of Forestry, Range & Wildlife

Management Islamia University, Bahawalpur

National Agriculture Education Accreditation Council

NAEAC Secretariat, Room# N-2, N Block(Sports Block), Old COMSATS Building, HEC, H-8/1, Islamabad Ph# 051-90802681, Fax#051- 90802682

Website: www.naeac.org, Email: infonaeac@yahoo.com

1

AIC Report on Forestry, Range Management and Wildlife, UCA, ISLAMIA

UNIVERSITY, BAHAWALPUR

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY/ABSTRACT

The Department of Forestry, Range Management and Wildlife established in 2012 focuses on

the sustainable utilization of integrated natural resource management emphasizing teaching,

research and outreach activities. The department has five regular faculty members out of

which four are Ph.Ds having an average 5 years of teaching experience. Curriculum adopted

is in line with HEC approved curriculum Faculty members have published an overall 40

publications out of which 05 are in impact factor journals. Teachers make use of different

assessment instruments like quizzes, assignments, projects/seminars, sessional,. mid and final

term examinations.. Department lacks its own library and books pertaining to different

subjects are not adequate in the central library. Budget for the department is adequate to meet

operational expenses. The department owns a farm, nursery, deer breeding farm and 02 joint

labs equipped with necessary instruments meeting teaching and research needs. The

discipline is short of senior faculty (Professor). Students emphasized on the outside touring

facilities for better learning outcome. It was recommended to induct senior faculty, For

rendering quality education, short and long term training program should be in place and

faculty should be encouraged to excel competitive research grants both inland and foreign.

Curriculum should include latest trends in the field of climate change, REDD and REDD+.

Latest edition of text and reference books concerning forestry, range and watershed should be

provided to students. Inview of the above minor shortfalls, AIC rated the degree programs in

‘X3’ category of HEC with 66% score.

2

INTRODUCTION

Background

Dr Tanvir Hussain, Chairman FRW, UCA&E, The Islamia University Bahawalpur briefed

the Accreditation Committee about the Department history, faculty, students, courses

curriculum, examination/evaluation system, classrooms, labs, major equipment, students’

strength, students completed education, etc. The University College of Agriculture and

Environmental Sciences was established in 2005. The purpose was to produce graduates who

are capable to contribute in the development of agriculture of the Southern Punjab.

Agriculture is considered as the backbone of economy but crop production is difficult under

arid and semi-arid conditions due to acute shortage of rain and irrigation water. The

Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife was declared as separate department on

13.11.2012. The department has initiated B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture major in forestry during

and M.Sc (Hons) Forestry programs during 2012.

Objective:

The main objective is Integrated resource management whereby the different land use types

(forests, watershed areas, range lands, bio-diversity areas; etc.) and vegetation and other

resource type (trees, shrubs, grasses, wild animals etc.) will be managed in an integrated way

as part of the overall ecological system.

Mission Statement:

The mission statement of the department entails as “Enhancement of sustainable economic,

ecological, and social benefits of natural resources in Pakistan through research, teaching,

and extension programs.

Due to novice in its establishment, department has no pass out badge as yet, however,

semester wise enrollment is as follow

Sr. No Degree program Year Semester Students intake

01 B.Sc (Hons) 2013 5th 26

02 M.SC (hons) 2012 1st Fall 05

04 -do- 2013 1st Spring 03

04 -do- 2013 1st Fall 06

04 -do- 2014 1st Spring 07

3

CRITERION WISE ANALYSIS

SECTION-1 STRENGTH AND QUALITY OF FACULTY

Teaching Status, Qualification, Experience and Workload

There are five full time faculty members in the Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife

Management including one Associate Professor, three Assistant Professors and 01 lecturer. In

addition, there are three part time Faculty members hired as Assistant Professor and

Lecturers. The evaluation committee met with each faculty member of the Department to

know about their qualification, professional background and research field record of course,

students attendance, examination result, opportunities for training, facilities available,

facilities required, strengths & weakness, existing problems in the degree programs of the

Department, etc. The outcomes of the meetings with the faculty were evaluated/marked in the

evaluation manual (toolkit).

Regarding faculty qualification and teaching experience, four out of five faculty members are

PhDs obtained from Pakistani Universities with average teaching experience of 5+ years

whereas lecturer experience is about 01 year. Teaching work load shared by an Associate

Professor is 06 and Assistant Professor and Lecturer as 08 courses per annum.

Department has 40 publications out of which 05 are in impact factor journals.

Student Assessment, Degree monitoring, Training, Salaries and Faculty development

There is an adequate use of assessment instruments like quizzes, assignments,

projects/seminars, sessional, mid and final examinations as well as use of appropriate

teaching learning methods to the likes of multimedia, demonstrations, group discussions etc.

Faculty members regularly maintain course review reports and Quality Enhancement Cell

together with the Chairman monitor degree program. There is no formal training plan in place

for newly inducted faculty though, some orientation, however, is being imparted. There is an

adequately planned faculty development and career planning exists. Faculty members showed

satisfaction over teaching environment, salaries and fringe benefits. Faculty stability index is

good and ample recognition in the shape of awards is in place. Faculty members have

adequate participation in seminars/conferences. There is shortage of writing any book/book

chapter, nonetheless, conference proceeding are there. Since, newly established department,

graduate supervision of MPhil students is in place. Faculty members showed moderate job

satisfaction, nonetheless, opportunities for faculty academic progress are in place.

SECTION-2: CUURICULUM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

Curriculum Objective, Contents and Revision

The Department of Forestry, Range & Wildlife Management has adopted program and

courses of B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture major Forestry, Range & Wildlife Management from

4

HEC National Curriculum approved for the degree programme. The B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in

Forestry comprises of 148 credit hours with four years duration after F.Sc. The curriculum is

regularly revised through HEC curriculum revision committee and is approved through

Departmental Board of Studies and Advanced Studies Research Board. All the courses are

available in approved handbook of HEC Forestry National Curriculum and syllabus showing

the courses semester wise adjustment with credit hours.

Students Feedback regarding Degree Program

The AIC members also met with a group of students pursuing their degree in B.Sc. (Hons.)

major Forestry program. The Students showed their satisfaction regarding various

components of degree programs including scheme of studies, course material, practical work,

etc. The students especially mentioned the teaching methods including power point lecture

presentations, case studies, etc. The students however, suggested that more course related

books should be a part of main and departmental library and field visits should be a regular

part of the courses to give them a chance to visit project sites and forest plantation activities

etc. Students also showed their satisfaction regarding classroom facilities, curriculum &

teaching standard, teachers’ behavior, library and computer laboratories, etc.

Admission, Course Registration and Withdrawal Policy

Admission and Withdrawals are governed by the University Uniform Semester &

Implementation rules. Curriculum designed and selected from HEC approved guidelines for

the subject of Forestry. Also revision of curriculum as per approved HEC guidelines

(NCRC). Each faculty member has maintained course files and course review reports.

Regular meeting of BOS at college level and teachers meeting at department level are held.

SECTION-3: INFRASTRUCTURE AND LEARNING RESOURCES

The department shared two labs with the UCA&E having capacity of 20 students. Lab

equipment are utilized and lab safety measures are in place. Budget for maintenance and

operation of labs and library is adequate. A total of 18 books in the central library and 22

books in staff offices are available. The institution has its own website. There is 05 acres farm

area wherein a good nursery is in place.

SECTION-4: STUDENT SUPPORT AND PROGRESSION

The admission response to degree program is moderate. Since the program is newly started,

average intake in 5th

semester is 26, there is no pass out batch as yet. Financial support in the

form of scholarships, hostel, medical and transport facilities for students are adequate.

5

SECTION-5: RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY ACTIVITIES

A total of 40 publications (impact factor=5) have been published in the last 03 years.

Academic cooperation and advisory services are available features in the Department.

SECTION-6: GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP OF THE INSTITUTION

The rules and regulations and administrative control is adequate and operational/

development budget is ample enough allocated for the Department.

SECTION-6: ADOPTION OF GOOD PRACTICES

Some of the good practices adopted by the Department/UCA&E is the use of latest teaching

tools, course designing and updation as per HEC curriculum revision etc.

6

PARTICIPATORY SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

The teaching staff is well qualified and trained in their respective field of studies.

The department has spacious classrooms equipped with multimedia.

WEAKNESSES

The department is short of senior faculty (Professor) and requires number of regular

faculty.

Lack of adequate practical exposure of students to various forest types and other field

project sites which is needed for proper learning of the subjects related to natural

resources management. The current touring exercises are not sufficient to meet the degree

requirement.

The text and reference books need to be updated with latest editions and topics on new

trends in forestry like biodiversity and climate change, etc. be added in the current

scheme of studies.

There is no Departmental library.

Lake of Research and Reference material and no access to HEC digital Lib.

OPPORTUNITIES

The Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife Management of UCA&E, IUB is located

on Sutledge river and has an adjoining biggest Cholistan dessert has great opportunity for

forestry and range management interventions. The department can make significant

headways in developing a strong forestry research and extension program in collaboration

with line departments and NGOs.

The Department has a huge research area under its control to establish quality nursery and

an impressive plantation demonstration area.

CHALLENGES

The department should put more focus on securing funding for research projects on testing

innovative forestry techniques like raising quality seedlings under nursery and field

conditions and promotion of agro-forestry and range management technologies.

Outreach exposure to the students that can be carried out in collaboration with Forest

department and Punjab Forestry Research Institute for demonstration and learning of latest

practical knowledge in the field of forestry especially of scrub and temperate forests.

7

ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS

Induction of senior faculty is needed for improvement in quality education and research

and for efficient administrative control.

Addition of new and latest edition of recommended text books in departmental as well as

main library.

Revision of some course contents by including latest issues and trends in the field of

climate change issues like carbon stock estimation and REDD and REDD+.

Field visits be arranged regularly for the students for practical demonstration of latest and

innovative nursery and field plantation techniques being employed by the Research and

extension institutions.

To improve the quality of education, faculty should be provided ample opportunities for

short and long term training in developed countries.

The faculty should be encouraged to get competitive research grants in order to inculcate

Research culture in their academic career as well as concentrating on producing impact

factor publications.

Rating Recommendations for Accreditation

In view of the above narrated findings, AIC unanimously recommends that the Degree

program of B.Sc (Hons.) offered by the Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife

Management, UCA&E, Bahawalpur be graded as “X” category of National Agriculture

Education Accreditation Council/Higher Education Commission i,e., the classification of

degree program with minor shortfalls expected to meet the criteria as set by the Council for

Accreditation with scope for up-gradation to category “‘W” after appropriate improvement in

due course of time.

8

Annexure-1

TORs of AIC

The team visited the Department of Forestry, Range and Wildlife Management, UCA&E,

The Islamia University, Bahawalpur for external assessment and evaluation of B.Sc. (Hons.)

degree program in Forestry from March 05-06, 2014 with the following TORs.

1. To validate the self-Assessment Report of B.Sc. (Hons.) degree program prepared

by the Department.

2. To carry out external evaluation of the degree program in a transparent, neutral,

holistic and participatory manner for accreditation and rating of degree program

based on the evaluation criteria of NAEAC.

3. To submit synthesized and concise analytical report about the degree program after

meeting with Chairman of the Department, faculty members, students and visit to

classrooms, laboratories and library, etc.

4. To submit clear, precise and justified actionable accreditation and rating

accreditation and rating recommendations about the degree programs to chairman

NAEAC.

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18