Affiliated under University of North Bengal
Estd.: 1942 | UGC recognized, NAAC Accredited
BEST PRACTICES-2021-2022
Best Practice 1:
Promoting greenery in campus and the importance of environmental stewardship.
According to a recent study, India has experienced the most significant increase in deforestation over the past three decades, particularly notable between 2015 and 2020. During this period, India ranked second globally after Brazil in terms of average deforestation, amounting to 668,400 hectares (ha). So, it is imperative to impart upon students the importance of understanding the value inherent in trees, forests and wildlife.
The college places great emphasis on tree planting and maintenance to ensure the campus remains rich with greenery and flora. These efforts are undertaken not only by various departments within the college but also by organizations like NSS and NCC. Additionally, the college annually celebrates World Environment Day, underscoring the significance of nature. Furthermore, departments such as Zoology, Botany, and Geography organize study tours to parks and forests , providing students with firsthand experiences to foster a deeper appreciation for nature.
The college has a longstanding tradition of tree planting, evident in the diverse range of trees across the campus. Regular tree plantation activities are conducted to uphold this tradition. The National Service Scheme (NSS) places significant emphasis on tree planting initiatives. Department of botany also additionally, the Department of Botany organizes excursions to Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, while the Department of Zoology arranges study tours to Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. These field trips serve to enrich students’ understanding and appreciation of nature. The college also maintains a repository of local Medicinal Plants. Environmental science is a mandatory course that enriches students’ comprehension of nature and its associated challenges.
Tree planting initiatives require financial resources for purchasing saplings, equipment, and maintenance activities. Securing funding and resources can be a challenge. Funds are also a challenge for maintenance of trees and plants in and around the campus and also for organizing programmes.
Best Practice2:
Initiatives to support students in sustaining their learning journey amid the pandemic.
The Covid-19 pandemic presented numerous challenges to educational institutions, primarily stemming from lockdowns and social distancing requirements. The objectives of our efforts were :
Ensure the uninterrupted flow of teaching and learning.
Facilitate the conduction of exams amidst the pandemic’s constraints.
Implement measures to safe transition back to in-person classes and activities.
The Covid-19 pandemic imposed significant hurdles on our educational institution, particularly with restrictions like lockdowns and social distancing measures. During certain periods of the session, offline classes were not feasible, necessitating a shift to online instruction. Additionally, the administration had to adapt to conducting examinations online, a substantial undertaking for the college. Ensuring the vaccination of faculty and students emerged as a crucial step in the process of reopening for traditional, in-person classes.
During the initial phase of the session, online classes remained the norm. Educators utilized platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Meet for seamless communication and dissemination of information. Tools like WhatsApp and Google Classroom facilitated the sharing of lecture materials, while some teachers also shared video lectures on platforms like YouTube.
To accommodate online examinations, the college implemented systems allowing for the submission of answer scripts through online channel, managed through official departmental email addresses.
In preparation for the resumption of in-person classes, vaccination camps were organized in collaboration with the district hospital Jalpaiguri. This initiative aimed to ensure that all staff and students received vaccinations before the return to regular classroom activities.
Due to the proactive measures adopted by the college faculty, the teaching-learning process persisted despite the challenges posed by social distancing norms. Utilizing online platforms such as Google Meet, Google Classroom, and WhatsApp, teachers effectively disseminated knowledge to students. The smooth conduct of online examinations was ensured through the college’s provision for online submission.
In preparation for the return to face-to-face classes, vaccination camps were organized within the college premises. This initiative garnered significant participation from students and staff, ensuring a vaccinated community and facilitating the safe resumption of in-person classes.
The online teaching-learning approach, while effective for the Covid period, lacked the interpersonal engagement inherent in traditional classrooms. Additionally, challenges such as internet connectivity issues were encountered by some students. To address these concerns, teachers supplemented live lectures with accessible notes and tutorials via Whatsapp, Google classroom etc. Google forms were used for assignments and multiple-choice questions (MCQ) assessments for the college’s internal exams.
The staff of the college proactively organized systems for online submissions of answer scripts. This foresight ensured that students could participate in assessments regardless of their internet access.
Organizing a vaccination camp presented its own set of challenges, yet with the collaborative efforts of teachers, students, and staff, the process unfolded smoothly.