Towards the creation of world-class universities, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken a new step by encouraging universities and educational institutions to go for a National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) certification. This way, UGC signals the universities to put much more emphasis on the quality of education instead of giving immense importance to quantity. Institutions are assessed on the parameters of Quality i.e. relevance and excellence of academic programmes offered whereas Quantity refers to increased access.

What are the key benefits of national or international accreditations?

This is a way forward for the Indian universities towards a better education system. As per the latest announcement, UGC will grant autonomy to the education institutes that have received the highest NAAC grade in two consecutive cycles. Also, the Universities and other educational institutions are expected to adhere UGC regulations such as gender sensitization, making campuses friendly for the differently-abled students, grievance cells on campus, as well as curbing the threat of ragging.

The major objective of making the changes in the accreditation process is

  • Provide NAAC a global outlook via collaborations with international quality assurance agencies.
  • bring more accountability in the evaluation
  • Overhauling the existing methodology
  • Horning skills of staff via bilateral exchange programs
  • Inculcation of human values and professional ethics

The talks do not end here, the necessity of such accreditations are many. But, the foremost important reason is that it helps to justify the gap between what the institute says versus what faculty and students see. Such a holistic assessment method clearly articulates and measure the outcomes. All this calls for drastic improvement and eliminates human biases.

Focusing on quality of education is a great shift: Sharda University

In compliance of this effort, Sharda University gives immense importance to the quality of education right from the inception, the quality assurance and continuous improvements of both academic and non-academic processes are matter of the utmost importance for the varsity.

The university is home to 20,000+ students who belong to 55+ different countries, 29 states, and Union Territories creating an eclectic mix of multiple cultures inside the campus. It has become a melting pot of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities together creating a sense of “Global Togetherness” among the students.

In India, Sharda University has been topping the list of the best private universities that focus on quality education and making continuous efforts to bring Indian Education System at par with international standards. This UGC-approved university has 80+ global academic tie-ups with some of the reputed international institutions such as Standford University, Payap University, Hiram College, University of Alford, University of New York Tirana, Griffith College, Curtin University of Technology and more.

Quality education is essential

With nearly 140 million people in the college-going age group, widespread access to low-cost high-quality university education has become necessary. Under this kind of improvement, the UGC wants educational institutions to invest in classroom processes, adopt a “multi and inter-disciplinary approach” and provide an inspiring learning ambience to the students and not just the development of infrastructure. This attempt of UGC comes as a welcoming move that clearly indicates a positive shift towards giving affordable access to world-class quality education to the aspirants on the global map.