About the CIQA

The Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA) of Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS)  was established in accordance with the UGC-ODL and OL Regulations 2020 dated 4^th September, 2020 in pursuance to the Board of Management Resolution  of the Board of Management Meeting held on 17^th  September, 2020.

As per the directive of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore and University Grants Commission (UGC)-Distance Education Bureau(DEB), New Delhi through the UGC-ODL and OL Regulations 2020, the Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS) established the CIQA with the primary focus to shoulder the responsibilities of generating and promoting awareness for Quality Assurance (QA) in the Academic and Administrative areas and to work out the procedural details.

The CIQA shall directly report to the Vice-Chancellor, VISTAS. The CIQA is the Nodal Agency entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring Total Quality Management (TQM) by ushering in innovations leading to achieving excellence and adoption of intervention strategies for monitoring their successful implementation.

Objectives of VISTAS-CIQA

• To maintain quality in the services provided to the ODL and OL learners.
• To ensure continuous improvement in the entire operations of the Higher Educational Institution.
• To identify the key areas in which the Higher Educational Institution should maintain quality.
• To disseminate information on quality assurance related matters.
• To devise mechanisms for interaction and obtaining feedback from various Departments/ Cells/ Centres/Divisions of VISTAS.
• To prepare Programme Project Report (PPR) and ensure another launch of Academic Programme(s).
• To suggest to the Competent Authorities of VISTAS for qualitative improvement.
• To ensure the implementation of its recommendations through regular monitoring.
• To ensure participation of all stakeholders namely, learners, teachers, staff, parents, society, employers, and Government in quality improvement processes.
• Collection, collation and dissemination of accurate, complete and reliable statistics about the quality of the programme(s) offered through ODL.

Functions of VISTAS-CIQA

• Prepare a Programme Project Report(PPR) for each programme according to the norms and guidelines prescribed by the Commission and wherever necessary by the appropriate regulatory authority having control over the programme;
• Get the Programme PPR approved by the appropriate authority of the Higher Educational Institution and the Commission before launch of the programme;
• Oversee the development of Study Learning Material (SLM), integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and coordination with the parent institution and relevant Regulatory authorities;
• Put in place monitoring mechanism to ensure the proper implementation of PPRs;
• Design annual plans for quality level enhancement at the level of the Higher Educational Institution and ensure their implementation;
• Arrange for feedback responses from students, employers and other stakeholders for quality related institutional processes;
• Develop quality benchmarks or parameters for the various academic and administrative activities of the Higher Educational Institution;
• Obtain information from other Higher Educational Institutions on various quality benchmarks or parameters and best practices;
• Organise workshops or seminars on quality related themes and Higher Educational Institution wise dissemination of the proceedings of such activities;
• Suggest restructuring of programmes in order to make them relevant to the job market;
• Develop and implement innovative practices in major areas leading to quality enhancement in services to the learners;
• Create learner centric environment rather than institution centric environment;
• Cultivate creativity and innovation in the faculty and staff;
• Adopt measures to ensure internalisation and institutionalisation of quality enhancement practices through periodic accreditation and audit;
• Conduct or encourage system based research to bring about qualitative change in the entire system;
• Coordinate between the Higher Educational Institution and the Commission for various quality related issues or guidelines;
• Record activities undertaken on quality assurance in the form of an annual report; and

To coordinate recognition and accreditation of the Higher Educational Institution.