Introduction
The Pub Kamrup College was founded in the year 1972 in the North Eastern part of Kamrup district, Assam. The college came into existence as a result of the united efforts of the local public in general and the intelligentsia of the area in particular. The college takes pride in catering to the aspiring youth of agrarian society.

The college has the locational advantage of having two prominent educational institutions the IIT, Gauhati and Gauhati University within 20/25 kilometers to which academic the students to look for inspiration. The college has the distinction of being the only college within a radius of 20 Km of having science stream which started functioning since 1986. Another very notable aspect is that almost 50% of students are girls. The college is well connected by road with other places.

The goal of the college is to make it a center of higher education well equipped with modern technology to meet the challenges of the time, to establish community relations through extension activities, to make the students self dependent and responsible citizens and to inculcate value based education. The college encourages teachers to carry research activities to publish papers and attend seminars and conferences.

It is a grant-in-aid college affiliated to Gauhati University. The college is located on a 5.95 acre of land in a rural area. Offering U.G. programme in 15 disciplines the college has student strength of 1062 out of which 558 are males and 509 females. The college has 46 permanent teachers (11 female and 35 male), 6 temporary teachers and 6 contractual teachers. Out of the 46 permanent teachers six have obtained Ph.D. (2 female and 4 male). It has 13 Administrative Staff (1 female and 13 male), 14 technical staff (all male).

The college offers one self financing diploma course on computer application which has 102 students.

The temporal plan of the college is annual as per the Gauhati University pattern. The performance of the students at the University seems satisfactory. The unit cost of the college is 14, 104, 42 with salary component and 2,309,80 excluding salary component during the year 2002-2003.

The college has got U.G.C. recognition with 2(f) and 12(b) since 2002.

The college has support services like Central Library, Computer Centre, Sports Facilities, Canteen, Vehicle Shed, Departmental Libraries, Departmental Associations, Science Forum and Women Study Cell.

The College has 20,742 books in the Central Library and subscribes to 24 national journal/periodicals. The Library functions from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm for 240 days in a year.

The teaching days of the college are 190 as against 240 working days.

The college has succeeded in generating some funds, though very meager through the newly formed Alumni Association, Self Financing Course and other sources.

The college volunteered to be assessed by NAAC, Bangalore and submitted its SSR for the purpose. The NAAC Peer Team consisting of Prof. N. Saha, Vice Chancellor, University of Kalyani as Chairman; Prof. A.K. Pattanayak, Professor of History, Berhampur University as Member Coordinator and Rev. Fr. Dr. George P. Mathew, Principal, St. Joseph’s College, Kohima as Member visited the college on 25th and 26th August 2004 for validating the SSR. Dr. K. Madhusudanan Pillai, Academic Consultant, NAAC, coordinated the visit.

The Peer Team went through the Self Study Report (SSR) thoroughly and visited the campus. During the visit it held discussions with the Principal, members of the GB, students, teaching and non-teaching staff, parents and alumni. Supporting documents were perusal and facilities visited. The observations of the Peer Team are furnished below criterion wise.

Criterion-I: Curricular Aspects
The main aim of the college has been to produce students with rounded personality who shall be intellectually excellent, socially aware and self-confidant. To make the students socially aware the college encourages co-curricular and extra-curricular activities through NSS, EEC, Science Forum, Departmental Associations etc. Though the students have the option of writing in regional language, the college encourages to answer in English at least to the students of major courses. As an affiliated college of Gauhati University it follows the curriculum designed by the University. It gives special emphasis on subjects like geography and philosophy. 

All the students are encouraged to obtain basic awareness training through the Computer Centre of the College.

The advantage of being located nearly Gauhati University helps the college to interact with the staff and students of the respective departments in the University. Seminars/discussions are arranged where faculty members from the university are invited.

In the last three years the College has added major courses in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Botany and a Diploma Course on Computer Application.

Criterion-II: Teaching-Learning and Evaluation
Admission of the students is made strictly on the basis of merit though personal interview also forms a part of the process. There is provision for reservation in admission for various categories as per rules.

Unit / Sessional Tests are held regularly to assess the progress of the students.

Remedial measures are taken to help the educationally disadvantaged students through counseling, in addition to regular classes. Special guidance is provided with reading materials, reference books to such students.

Career oriented councelling and information are provided to the students. At the beginning of the session each department prepares its teaching plan. The progress of teaching is monitored through the monthly progress report.

The college monitors the progress of the students by mid-course sessional tests. The performance of the students in the sessional tests and University examinations are compared and suitable encouragement is provided during college week and other functions.

The traditional lecture method is supplemented by departmental seminars, quizzes, educational tours etc.

During 2002-2003 the college had 190 teaching days and 240 working days.

Students are informed of the evaluation method at the beginning of the session through prospectus, academic calendar and office notification.

Recruitment of teacher is made, following the procedures prescribed by the government. New teaching posts are created as and when required as per the norms of Gauhati University when new courses/subjects are introduced. During the last two years two permanent teachers and six contractual teachers have been recruited. The college has its own procedure for the appointment of contractual teachers who are paid out of college funds. NET/SLET is compulsory for appointment of lecturer.

Thirteen teachers have attended national level seminars/ conferences and international level. The college also has been organizing seminars/ conferences and workshops for the benefit of the teachers. The teachers enjoy the benefit of having Gauhati University and IIT, Gauhati in the vicinity.

Staff appraisal reports are filled-up by teachers annually which are verified by the authority.

Teachers are offered free computer course in the computer center of the college to make them technology friendly.

The performance appraisal of the teachers is done regularly by monthly progress report, feed back from the students and suggestions from the suggestion box which are analysed in the meetings of the HODs and followup actions are taken.

The feedback system from the students has been recently introduced. The report is analysed in the departments concerned and steps are taken to remove weaknesses.

As many as seventy one teachers have benefited out of the faculty development programmes like Refresher Course/Workshop/Seminar/ Conference etc. during the last two years.

The teachers on their individual capacity have established national and international contacts for research purpose.

Criterion-III: Research, Consultancy and Extension
Out of 46 permanent teachers six teachers (2 female, 4 male) have Ph.D. degree and 2 (1 female, 1 male) have M.Phil. degree. Some teachers are guiding scholars for Ph.D. and eight are engaged in doing Ph.D. themselves as part time scholars. Some teachers are regularly publishing their articles.

In the last five years two teachers have been awarded Ph.D. The college gives study leave for pursuing research by adjusting teaching schedule. Academic leave is given to teachers to attend seminars and conferences.

The publication of one teacher of Assamese language department has been prescribed by Gauhati University as a reference book at U.G. and P.G. levels.

The faculty members of physics participated in international conferences at Canada, Italy and Japan and presented papers.

The college has constituted a publication unit to publish research works of the teachers and students of the college.

A museum of old manuscripts has been installed in the library, which is functioning in collaboration with the Assamese department.

Teachers are given additional change of extension activities. The college takes up extension activities in the fields of Community Development, Health and Hygiene Awareness, Adult Education and Literacy, AIDS awareness, Women’s Study Cell, Environment Awareness etc.

The college generally takes up locally available materials for extension works. The department of history has been constantly highlighting the contribution of the freedom fighters of the area. The department of education is constantly working on total literacy programme.

The college has set up an extension education center to monitor extension activities.

Criterion-IV: Infrastructure and Learning Resources
The college is located on a 5.95 acre campus and the infrastructure shared by the Junior College and P.G. correspondence courses. It has 3600.45 square meters of floor area for academic purpose.

It has separate space for Central Library. 

Recently the Boys’ Common Room cum Extension Centre has been constructed out of the MLA LAD fund and the Auditorium cum Lecturer Theater out of MP LAD fund.

The construction of a multistoried building has been started. The college maintains its infrastructure out of the development fund and contingency fund.

The use of the infrastructure of the college is made available to different organizations for holding examinations, academic conferences, book fairs etc. without affecting the normal functioning of the college.

Adequate plantation has been done in the campus to keep the environment balanced. Gardens of the college are properly maintained.

The library of the college has 20,742 books and subscribes to 24 national journals/periodicals. It has an Advisory Committee. The library functions for 240 days a year from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. There are departmental libraries in each department.

The college has a Computer Centre which has 11 computers and opens from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm. Practical classes of computer oriented courses of Mathematics and Physics are held here. The department of Physics has a computer.

Criterion-V: Student support and Progression
The percentage of students appearing at the University examination is 76.2%. The dropout rate is 23.8%. Alumni are holding prominent positions in government services, colleges and other positions in the society.

Annual prospectus containing information on history of the college, subjects offered, eligibility norms, fee structure, admission procedure, schedule of examination, faculty and staff position etc. is being published.

Scholarships are available for the SC/ST, OBC/MOBC and poor students.

A career guidance cell has been formed to provide information to the sincere and meritorious students. More than 300 students have received such assistance during last two years.

The Alumni Association of the college has been recently formed which however has started functioning.

The college provides facilities for indoor and outdoor games, students’ magazine and cultural programmes.

Criterion-VI: Organization and Management
The college has set up different sub-committees for internal coordination and monitoring. The activities of various sub-committees are monitored by a core committee.

The college has introduced uniform attire for all students.

Marginal increase in fees has been done since 2000-2001.

The college functioned on a budget of nearly 1,27,68,438/- and spent 1,41,44,929/- and hence had a deficit of 13,76,491/-.

The college has its internal audit system. Staff members can avail loan from their Provident Fund and other societies, get medical aid and have scope for appointment on compassionate grounds.

The college has its grievance redressal mechanism for teachers and employees. The college has hosted the Annual Convention of Assam Science Society and organized its own silver jubilee function.

Criterion-VII: Healthy Practices
The college has strengthened its regular academic programmes by introducing a self financing diploma course in computer application and P.G. correspondence course under PGCS, Gauhati University.

The college tries to impart value based education through extra curricular activities. Civic responsibilities are taught to the students through NSS, Social Service Programmes and Extension Education.

Personality development of the students is being taken care of through essay writing, debates, quizzes, college magazine, wall magazine etc.

The students participate in community orientation programmes in collaboration with the local Rotract Club. Programmes like cutting, knitting, weaving and awareness programmes on health, gender differences are organized through extension education.

Educational tours and book fairs are organized to improve the skills of the students.

The college has established one branch of the Indigenous Medicine Information and Collection Center in collaboration with other institutions which has its own website.

A martial art training center has been established since 1997 under the supervision of a faculty member who is a Black Belt himself. The center has done good work by producing three black belts.

Since the strength of women students is about 50%, a women study cell has been setup.

A museum has been established in the library in collaboration with Assamese department to bring to light materials which are otherwise getting lost.

Since many colleges of the locality donot have science streams the Pub Kamrup College is aware of its additional responsibility.

Overall Analysis and Suggestions
The Pub Kamrup College, Baihata Chariali founded in 1972 has successfully completed 32 years of existence. The college takes pride in catering to the aspirations of rural youth coming from an agrarian society. Being located within the vicinity of IIT, Gauhati and Gauhati University the college enjoys a locational academic advantage. Unlike the nearly colleges, as a colleges with both science and arts streams it is aware of its additional responsibility. Being situated in a rural location it faces a number of problems like economic backwardness and has to keep in mind the special needs of the rural youth. To meet these challenges and to convert them into opportunities for growth various strategies are to be adopted.

The Peer Team wishes to place before the college to consider the following suggestions for its future growth.

The Pub Kamrup College, Baihata Chariali founded in 1972 has successfully completed 32 years of existence. The college takes pride in catering to the aspirations of rural youth coming from an agrarian society. Being located within the vicinity of IIT, Gauhati and Gauhati University the college enjoys a locational academic advantage. Unlike the nearly colleges, as a colleges with both science and arts streams it is aware of its additional responsibility. Being situated in a rural location it faces a number of problems like economic backwardness and has to keep in mind the special needs of the rural youth. To meet these challenges and to convert them into opportunities for growth various strategies are to be adopted.

The Peer Team wishes to place before the college to consider the following suggestions for its future growth.

1. To speed up the construction of new buildings, so that infrastructure facilities are augmented.
2. To strengthen the library by adding more books and journals. Reprographic facility may be provided in the library.
3. Develop playfield and better facilities for games and sports, to enable the students to participate in the inter-collegiate events in larger number, as the students in rural areas possess the potential to excel.
4. Steps may be initiated to organize special programmes for improving English conversational skills.
5. Faculty members may be encouraged to go for minor and major research projects of the U.G.C., taking the local problems for the study.
6. Conduct remedial courses on a regular basis. 
7. Submit outside plan projects to the UGC like Ladies Hostel, Computers, Remedial Courses etc.
8. Alumni Association can be activated and its assistance for the development of the college sought.
9. Students’ feedback may be utilised for enhancing the academic and administrative functioning of the college.
10. Strengthen the teaching learning process by adopting modern techniques/methods.
11. Introduce group insurance schemes for staff and students.
12. Set up book bank for the benefit of economically weaker students.
13. Parent teacher and Alumni teacher meetings may be organized from time to time to seek their guidance and assistance as well.
14. Steps may be taken to introduce some more job oriented/self financing courses depending upon the market needs.