Prespective Plan
1.Brief ProfileThe vision of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, as envisaged in the University Act, is to contribute to the field of higher education in the South Gujarat region and enable its inclusive development in all walks of life by making available trained personnel in various branches of human knowledge, keeping in mind the larger goals of nation-building. The University is committed to maintain high standards in both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, promoting research and undertaking the requisite extension activities that would reach out to every section of society.
Veer Narmad South Gujarat University has endeavored to be an institution of excellence in higher education since its existence, keeping in view the regional needs and the emerging trends in the global scenario. A semi-urban University located at Surat city, the University has a campus spread over 210 acres. The University, re-accredited 'A' grade with 3.02 CGPA by the National Accreditation and Assessment Council in 2017, is also accredited with 'B++' grade with 2.90 CGPA under Academic and Administrative Audit (AAA) by Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat, Education Department, Government of Gujarat in 2016. The university was originally established under the South Gujarat University Act, 1965 passed by the Gujarat State Legislative Assembly. It became functional from the academic year of 1966 and was incorporated as a University on 23 May, 1967. Recognized by the University Grants Commission in 1968, it was renamed as Veer Narmad South Gujarat University in 2004 after the great Gujarati poet Narmad, Narmadshankar Lalshankar Dave. The mandate of the University is to meet the developmental needs of the seven districts and two Union Territory in the region and attempts at realizing their potential in every walk of life ranging from technology, business, industry and commerce to language, culture, and fine arts. The basic objectives of the University as envisaged by the University Act are:
1) Undergraduate and Post-graduate teaching, maintaining their high standards, and award of degrees to the candidates successful in their respective examinations.
2) Promotion of research and extension activities relevant to the requirements of the region in accordance with the interests of nation building.
The University's jurisdiction extends to the seven districts of Surat, Navasari, Valsad, Narmada, Dangs, Bharuch and Tapi and the Union Territory of Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. There are 29 Post Graduate Departments / Institutes on the University campus that offers 95 programmes with multiple specializations including 19 Ph.D. programmes. The University has 34 Government, 59 Grant-in-aid and 190 Self-financed Colleges and 104 Post-graduate Teaching Centres (subjectwise) attached to affiliated colleges. The University offers 36 Post Graduate, 4 Graduate, 3 Integrated and 9 PG Diploma and 05 Certificate programmes including self-financed programmes with semester credit based system at university campus. In its Post Graduate Departments, more than 4000 students are studying on the campus. The University has twelve faculties such as Arts, Commerce, Science, Education, Management Studies, Rural Studies, Engineering and Technology, Medicine, Law, Computer Science and Information Technology, Homoeopathic and Architecture. In pursuance of its vision, the University offers an academic environment conducive for the integral development of its students. All the departments emphasize interdisciplinary areas of study that can open up possibilities in new fields of research. Several major and minor research projects are underway in various departments. There are over two-lakh students currently enrolled in various courses in the University including affiliated colleges.
2. Purpose of Perspective PlanThe University has several stake-holders including society, students, faculty, various educational institutions, its departments, teaching as well as non-teaching staff, industries, corporate sectors and the State Government. The growing needs of all these stake-holders need to be reflected and addressed. There is rapid population growth in last few decades in the city. To cope up with the growth of population and expansion of the city as well as extend the facilities of the Higher Education to the remote areas it is necessary to have a Perspective Plan which gives the direction to fulfill the aspirations of both urban and tribal areas. In order to meet the challenges and need of the society the university proposes to undertake development measures in the three main areas;
1. Academic Distinction
2. Streanthening Research and Consultancy activities
3. Administrative Efficiency
4. Infrastructure Development
Academics is the raison de etre for the existence of an academic institute and hence achieving academic distinction is the core principle around which the perspective plan revolves. The age- old tradition of “Guru-Shishya Parampara” which emphasizes the bond between the imparter and the seeker of knowledge, has not changed in principle since times immemorial.
The two significant stakeholders of the academic process are the teacher and the student.
Therefore, the two major strategies for academic distinction would be
1. To strengthen the teacher
2. To ensure optimum learning by the student
I. To equip teachers with the latest knowledge and pedagogy.
II. Making a conducive environment for imparting knowledge
III. Facilitating extension activities to reach out to the various stakeholders
A teacher plays a pivotial role in the educational system. Uin its constant endaevour to equip teachers with the latest sources of knowledge, the University encourages faculty members to undergo training and development through various workshops, faculty development programmes, and seminars. The faculty members are motivated to participate in conferences, symposiums, and conventions to remain abreast with the latest developments in their respective fields.
The University continuously strives to innovate in peadogogy and infrastructure required to adapt to the latest pedagogical tools and update curricula to meet the requirements of the industry and society at large.
In accordance with the objectives of the establishment of the University, extension activities such as the adoption of villages, business consultancy, being on advisory committees of various organisations like the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, NGOs, Schools and Colleges among others . are facilitated by the University.
The objectives of the Academic Distinction Plan for students :
I. To Imparting Human Values
II. To facilitate Skill development
III. To enhance Employability
IV. To inquibate Entrepreneurship
The University has planned to align its academic activities with National Education Policy (NEP)2020. which include initiatives in skill development, training in entrepreneurship,
providing industry exposure to develop necessary professional skill sets in students, establishing designated centres for technology incubation and dissemination etc. To achieve the objectives mentioned above, the University has been conducting workshops, seminars, conferences, training programmes, vestibule training, mock interviews, pre-placement trainings, etc. on a regular basis. The University adopted the following changes to incorporate the recommendations of the New Education Policy:
1) Choice Based system
2) Multi entry multi exit
3) E-content development
4) B.Voc as per UGC
5) Credit transfer
6) Skill development programmes
Industry-Academia Interface
Veer Narmad South Gujarat University is a public university located in Surat, Gujarat, India; one of the fastest-growing cities with its flourishing Diamond, Textile industries. The city is bestowed with one of the largest Industrial belts, significantly long coastal area and fertile agricultural land, allowing it to emerge as a financial hub.
The University has been striving to forge a strong industry-academia interface. The University has been interacting with different industries to promote an environment of industry-academia collaboration with the following intiatives :
1) Induction of experts from the industries on the Board of Studies of the relevant Departments
2) Invite experts from the industries as Visiting/Guest Faculties
3) Sending students to the industries for Summer/Winter projects and internships
4) To facilitate consultancy for the industries and other government and non-government organizations.
The University has been continuously upgrading and reforming the curriculum of the various courses as per the needs of the industry and stakeholders. This is an ongoing activity based on the feedback from the industry, alumni and other subject experts.
Short Term Academic Plan:• Capacity Building for Teachers and Students
• Initatives for Skill Development
• Sensitization programme for inculcating human values
• Introducing courses on gender sensitivity and women empowerment
• pedagogogical focus on employability, entrepreneurship and skill development
• Integration of E-Content Development and Blended Learning
• Use of SSIP and Idea and Innovation Cell to strengthene skill development, employability and entrepreneurship.
• Introduction of new programmes ,
• Setting up new departments and faculties as per the new Education policy guidelines.
• Strenthening extension activies through NSS, NCC etc.
Research is the backbone of an academic instiution. In this context the university strives towards improving the quality of research.. The university aims at integrating research methodology in all post graduate programmes Moreover, the university would promote Research as an all-pervasive activity within the PG programmes by introducing a research components in various assignments, term-papers and projects work among others. University would make efforts for procuring consultancies from multiple stakeholders and therby generate revenues through research-based projects. The University envisages the following objectives to be fulfilled;
1. To create a conducive environment for developing research culture.
2. To instil critical thinking skills for research amongst students and teachers
3. To train researchers/ fellows/ young teachers in research methodology
4. To improve the attitude and aptitude towards research
5. To promote consultatancy based research in liaison with the industry aimed at revenue generation
2) Identifying and incentivise quality research work
3) Provision for seed money for young researchers
4) Programmes for inculcating research aptitude among students and techers
5) Developing research environment to facilitate knowledge generation
6) Emphasis on Publications in UGC recognised , SCOPUS , Web of Science and other journals of international repute. Medium Term Research & Consultancy Plan:
1) Industry academia interface for research projects and funds
2) Rigorous efforts for acquiring funds from statutory bodies
3) Developing mechanism for international collaborations for research
4) Robust infrastructure for promoting research
5) Create awareness about IPR and research ethics
1) Further exploring possibilities for collaborative national and international research
2) Establishing a science and technology park with an incubation centre
3) Efforts for revenue generation through research and consultancy
4) Establishing incubation centre for Startup, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
5) Generating maximum startup and patents
Transparent, smooth, and hassle-free administration activities constitute a significant concern of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU). The major areas which concern the stakeholders of the University are Students Admission, Examination and Evaluation, Student Services, and Facilitation. The University believes that the students and other stakeholders should get all the required information and services promptly and transparently. The major activities of the University administration are;
• Students Management
• Pre-Examination, Examination, Post-Examination activities
• General Administration
The students are the most important stakeholders of the University. The students’ first exposure to the University is through the admission process. A transparent and timely admission process would provide students with confidence and faith in the University system. The admission system is completed with the enrollment or registration process. The enrolled/registered students should get the necessary information on the website regularly. The students need many documents, certificates from the University authorities on a regular basis. The VNSGU believes that the necessary documents related to students such as marksheets, transcripts, migration certificates, degree certificates should be made available to the students without any hassle. Thus, the VNSGU considers the students’ management process from admission to the award of degree as a whole. For this, the VNSGU plans to devise a single window system. The students will be able to get most of his/her work done from his dashboard available in his personal login. The following objectives are determined for the student management by the University.
Objectives:1) To facilitate students with a transparent admission process.
2) To develop a single window solution for students from admission to award of degree.
Short Term Planning
1) To develop a mechanism to finalize the admission schedule for all the programs of the University in advance.
2) To develop a mechanism to bring transparency, accuracy, and speed in the admission process. This would be published as an “admission manual.”
3) To develop a mechanism to provide a unique number for student identification.
A computerized admission system would be developed to carry out all admissions of the University Online. The module should be developed in such a way that all the admission related information keep posted to students regularly
1) To develop an online enrollment or registration process module. This module would generate a unique student identification number, which students would use lifelong for all types of dealing with the University.
2) To establish a mechanism for preparing and providing all the students' related documents like mark sheet, various certificates, transcripts, scholarship, etc. through students’ unique identification number
To develop admission related students chartered for the students. This student charter would describe the time bounds for all students related activities.
Examination ManagementThe examination is the most sacred and mammoth task for any University. There are over two lakh students who appear in various examinations conducted by the VNSGU. The examination task of these over two lakhs students is very challenging. The examination tasks as a whole is divided into three sub tasks; Pre-Examination, Examination, and Post examination. The pre- examination tasks is related to examination preparation activities, which include examination form filling, examiners’ appointment, hall ticket generation, seat number allocation, etc. During the examination, activities like sending and receiving question papers and answer book, absent student recoding, etc. are considered where as in the post examination task, answer book assessment, result processing, marksheet generation, degree certificate management, re- assessment, and re-checking, etc. are considered. During the entire examination process, precision, secrecy, transparency, and speed are highly sought off.
Objective:The VNSGU is committed to processing the results of the students in time and with the highest secrecy and accuracy.
Short Term PlanningThe VNSGU wishes to prepare a consolidated examination regulation booklet consisting of rules, regulations, ordinances, etc. this would help students to understand the examination process clearly, which makes students in making decisions meticulously. This booklet may include rules and regulations regarding examination form filling, attendance required for granting the term. Form withdrawal rules, code of conduct for examination, passing rules, etc. A well structured schedule with a time line of all examination related activities to be prepared every year at the beginning of the year. This should be made public for the benefit of the students.
Medium Term PlanningA seamless automation system is a necessary tool for the examination system, which integrates all the sub tasks of examination together. Complete integrated automatization of the entire examination system from form filling to the award of the degree would be placed in order. The system will remove human intervention as much as possible.
Long Term PlanningA student charter document for the examination process will be prepared for the students to bring transparency and promptness in the examination process. Comprehensive computerized examination system development.
General AdministrationThe complex University administration is dividend into the number of sections according to the nature of their work. These sections are general, academic, Post Graduate Section, Senate, and Syndicate Section, UGC section, Account section, Estate section, etc. The general section is looking after routine administrative activities like human resource management, general purchase, etc. The academic section’s responsibilities include syllabus revision, managing academic council activities, etc. The UGC section is primarily responsible for University liasoning with the UGC. The senate and syndicate section of the University’s activity is to managing the meetings of the senate and syndicate and also to look after the implementation of the decisions taken in the top authorities of senate and syndicate. The account section of the UUniversity is responsible for finance related activities in the University. It is responsible for managing accounts of the University. The estate section of VNSGU manages and maintaining the 280 acres of University campus. It is also responsible for maintaining the infrastructure on the campus. The vital concern about the University is that the administration sections of the University take the responsibility to carry out their functions most effectively and timely. The Objective of General Administration activities
Objectives:The VNSGU objective for general administration is to improve the effectiveness, accountability, transparency, and timely serves to all the stakeholders of the University.
Short term plansConfidential Report mechanism for the administrative staff will be carried out, and an appropriate mechanism to evaluate them will be developed for the improvement in the administration of the University.
Regular training for the administrative staff to be organized to equip them with the automation of the administration of the University.
For teachers’ activities record keeping and productive human resource management, an automated system is the need of the time. The VNSGU will implement such a system in the University for all the teaching staff on the campus and off the campus. The leave management of the University employees on the campus will also be done through this system A policy of classification of records will be prepared as per the Government of Gujarat guideline.
Medium term plansAs teachers’ feedback is taken from the students, feedback mechanisms from various stakeholders for administrative staff will also be introduced.
The concept of “Paperless Office” adds transparency to the administration. The VNSGU is in the process of introducing an automated e-filling system. Through this automation, the concept of paperless office will be brought in the realization.
The process of the annual administrative audit will be introduced in the University. These will an annual stock taking the process of the work done and pending after completion of every year.
Long term plansOffice charters for all the sections will be developed, which will include proper operating procedures of all the activities of various sections of the University. This Standard Operating Procedures’ (SOP) will not only contain the process but will also include the time bound, accountability, etc. for the processes. This office charter will be made available to all the stakeholders via the University website.
6. Infrastructure DevelopmentIn order to cater to the growing needs of all the stake holders , the university plans to introduce massive infrastructure reforms . Morover, to cope with the growth of population and expansion of the city and extend the facility of higher education to the remote areas, it is necessary to have an infrastructure up-gradation plan that gives direction to fulfill the aspirations of both rural and urban areas.
The objectives for the infrastructure perspective plan::
a) To upgrade the existing infrastructure facilities according to the guidelines of the UGC.
b) To renovate and reconstruct existing infrastrure in order to fulfils the needs of differently-abled students.
c) To develop new infrastructure facilities and build new department buildings as per the requirement of new proposed programs.
University is often visited by resource persons from various disciplines and industry stalwarts. In the medium term, University is planning to develop a Common Development Centre facility to hold Seminars / Conferences. This centre will also have facilities such as fully equipped high-tech Conference Hall with world class AudioVisual facilities, classrooms for technical sessions, a dining hall, pantry, accommodation for the guests. This centre will also have the facility of al fresco dining with the camp fire facility for participants of seminar/conferences.
Accommodation FacilityThe university is trobing with various academic , research and cultural activites round the year . The University is the host institution for many sports and cultural events .The university plans to increase the accommodation facility by expanding existing guest house . In the medium term, University is planning to have separate building for accommodating the students who arrive on campus in large number during the Youth Festival, NSS Camps, and other events. University is also planning to develop well-furnished rooms for faculties and industry experts visiting our campus in the long run. This facility can also be used for the faculty members who visit our campus to attend Faculty Development Programmes and other residential workshops organized by various post-graduate Departments.
Community HallThe University is planning to develop a Community Hall with an open space for organizing social, cultural, sports events. In the long term, this facility may be offered to the teaching and non-teaching staff of the University and affiliated colleges at nominal rate. The same facility can be extended to general public for revenue generation aimed at self-sustenance
Fitness Centre / Gymnasium for Teachers and StaffAt present the University has swimming pool open for all its employees. On the similar lines University is planning to develop a fitness centre and a dedicated gymnasium for the teaching and administrative staff in the short run. In the long run, University is planning to extend this facility to the general public on revenue basis.
BankAt present the University is having Union Bank of India on the campus. Moreover, to cater the pressing needs of students for withdrawing and depositing the money, Union Bank of India has installed ATM machine at the administration building. In the long run, University is planning of inviting one more nationalized bank on campus to carry out smooth transaction.
Mobile cabinThe university is spread across 210 acers of land In the short term, University is planning to introduce 2 to 3 mobile cabins so that better surveillance can be done of the campus.
Drinking water facilityUniversity is planning to provide common drinking water facility at appropriate places on campus. In the long term plan, automatic faucet will be provided for drinking water to avoid any contamination. In the medium term, University is planning to implement a water conservation and water harvesting project with the help of Surat Municipal Corporation, Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI), and Government of Gujarat Scheme.
Common toilet facilityAll the department has a fully functional common washroom facility. In the short term, University is planning to provide a common washroom facility near day care centre, administrative building, and other places. One specially designed washroom will be made available considering the requirement of differently-abled.
Green transportTo maintain the eco-friendly environment, University has approached Surat Municipal authorities to implement its successful bicycle project in university campus. The plan is to provide University with at least 4 terminals on the campus. By deploying this facility for internal movement in the Campus, University will fulfill its objective of eco-friendly environment.
Parking facilityUniversity is having designated parking facility in front of every Post-graduate Departments and Centres including convention centre. In short run, University is planning to have proper shed and concrete/paver blocks to facilitate parking round the year. A full-fledged common parking facility will be created on campus for allowing parking of vehicles of the students, parents and guests visiting the campus in large numbers during the Convocation, Youth Festival and other events. In the medium run, University is planning to have parking shades embedded with ‘Solar Photovoltaic Cells’ so that these areas are lit with solar power. In the long term, University is planning to develop and implement an eco-friendly internal mass transit system. These include the development of large parking areas near the exit doors from the main gate, and thereafter, in a phased manner, prevent polluting vehicles from entering the Campus.
Creative Research LaboratoryThe University has already provided a space to the students of Architecture for articulating their creativity and ideas into their artwork. University has already established Innovation and Incubation centre with all required equipment and materials so that the students can try out their innovative ideas. University also has SSIP cell in which tinkering lab is provided where the youngsters can experiment with, learn, develop and conceptualize different scientific ideas. This includes desktops and 3D printer. In the long term, University is planning to upgrade its creative research laboratory with the industry standards.
Common seating shed (Shantiniketan)The University is having lush green campus and to enjoy its tranquility sitting furniture is placed at various strategic locations on the campus. In short term plan, University is planning to add a few more benches to accommodate the requirement of students, parents and visitors. In the medium term, the university is planning to construct a permanent structure with proper shade and drinking water facilities at appropriate locations on the campus.
Shopping CentreUniversity is planning to rent a cluster of shops located opposite the main gate of the University. These shops will cater to the students’ requirements such as providing stationery, photocopy, printing material, and light refreshments. In the medium term, University is planning to upgrade this shopping centre with the products meant for day-to-day consumption. In the long term, University is planning to have a food court that may provide the students on campus and hostel-dwellers to have food during regular hours as well as during Sundays, holidays . The University is also planning to establish a formal registered cooperative society of teaching and administrative staff. The primary objective of this society is to provide merchandise to the students, teaching and non-teaching staff at fair price.
Souvenir storeStudents spend the best years of his/her life in the University. To keep his/her journey memorable, University is planning to develop a souvenir store. This store will sell produts like tea mugs, T-shirts, pens, caps, articles, posters and photographs with the university logo embossed on them. This souvenir can also be used to gift resource persons from academics and industry stalwarts visiting the campus. The store will not be restricted to selling only to students and faculties but it will be open for all others visiting the campus. In the long run, University is planning to launch a dedicated website for purchasing souvenir. The alumni members can also purchase the souvenirs on the website and remain in touch with their alma mater.
Bird CourtsThe beauty of lush green campus is incomplete without the voice of chirping birds. In short term, University is planning to create ‘Bird Courts” to make campus humming with chirping birds. University has many peacocks on the campus. Moreover, in the month of December and January, many migratory birds visit the campus. The campus becomes a prime location for bird viewers. In this connecting , in the long run, university is planning to construct many such structures at different locations in the University. By doing this UUniversity strongly believes in preserving flora and fauna.
CanteenThe University has a canteen behind the administrative building. The seating capacity of the canteen is approximately 30 persons. In canteen snacks as well as cold and hot beverages are served during 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. In short term plan, the UUniversity is planning to provide dedicated space for the staff and faculty members in the canteen for comfortable seating at the canteen. In the medium term plan, University is planning to increase seating capacity of the canteen so that it can accommodate at least 60 persons. This expansion is necessary considering the rise in number of students and visitors on campus. A proposal has also been initiated to keep canteen open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm so that it can cater to the requirement of the students reading in the library and other courses running on the campus during morning and late evening hours. In the long run, University is planning to have state-of-the-art kitchen equipments in the kitchen area which includes up gradation of the dining area with latest, washable, and comfortable seating.
Short Term Infrastructure Plan:• Increasing Hostel accommodation for girls
• Seating sheds (Shantiniketan)
• Parking facilities
• Common toilet blocks
• Drinking water facilities
• Repairing and renovation of old buildings including laboratories
• Biodigester for organic waste from kitchen
• Bird Courts
• Shopping complex
• Green transport
• Creative Research Laboratory
• Providing protection wall to entire campus Long Term Infrastructure Plan:
• Increasing Hostel accommodation for girls and boys
• Developing accommodation facilities for guests and regular faculties
• Development of water harvesting structures in a scientific way