NAAC as an apex body for Quality Assurance in Higher Educational Institutions has devised some plans to upgrade the quality of teaching and learning throughout India. This quality can be enhanced if in every institution there is an Internal Quality Assurance Cell. Dr. Ganesh A. Hegde, Assistant Adviser, NAAC, Bangalore in one of his lectures in Midnapore College in 2013 stated about the object of IQAC. He said, “Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), in fact, is conceived as a body which ensures maintenance of momentum created by the accreditation at the institutional level.

The NAAC’s advocacy of establishment of IQAC, by every accredited institution as a post accreditation measure is thus the first step towards institutionalization and internalization of quality culture. IQAC would work as think tank of the institution. NAAC has given guidelines to all the accredited institutions to establish an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) to ensure qualitative growth of the institution. The composition of the cell has been clearly defined so as to be representative of all the constituents of the institution”. Hence the importance of IQAC is acknowledged by all.

 As per guidelines of NAAC an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) was formed first on 27.02.2006. Principal Dr. Prabir Kumar Chakraborty was the Chairman and Dr. Amal Kanti Chakraborty became the Coordinator of the Cell. Internal Governing Body members, some senior teachers, external experts from Vidyasagar University and local administration and Secretary of Students’ Union were incorporated into this cell.

This cell began functioning at a regular interval of two or three months and has been working as counsel unit to the principal for understanding with more qualitative works. So long the principal had to think over the all-round development of the College. Now IQAC provides help and support to the principal in his administrative works. From 2014 Prof. Rajendra Nath Dutta became Coordinator of IQAC and has been performing all activities up to his level best to fulfill the desired goal for which the cell has been formed.

IQAC has adopted certain measures to recommend these to the principal for execution. The Cell has been monitoring different activities of the College and has formed sub- committees for carrying out different works of the College smoothly. The activities of the Cell are mentioned below.

1. In 2006 Anti Ragging Cell and Prevention of Sexual Harassment Cell were opened to act as a vigil to the safety and dignity of the female students and staff of the College as well as the hostels.
2. An initiative was taken in 2008 to introduce Spoken/ Communicative English Course for the students’ enhancement of linguistic competence. The course started running from 2008 at first by college fund and then in 2010 from the availability of UGC fund and students’ nominal fees.
3. NET/SET coaching was started in 2010 for SC/ST/OBC/ Minority students as well as remedial coaching from this year by the efforts of IQAC.
4. Through the Principal, IQAC issued notice in 2007 to the teachers to adopt innovative measures in teaching through the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology, Departmental Quiz Contest, Project Works etc.)
5. In 2007 special training was organized for the teaching and non-teaching staff in computer awareness and practice for 10 days.
6. IQAC helped the Principal for DELNET and INFLIBNET (N-LIST) connections for research and library information service in 2008.
7. IQAC recommended the increasing number of computers for different departments and the library in 2009.
8. IQAC devised a plan of departmental seminars named Students’ Seminar in which students of individual departments would deliver lectures on their own subjects in presence of the teachers in 2005-2006 and is still organizing the same. It was observed that students’ fluency in speaking, smartness in presentation and awareness of subjects increased.
9. Though Students’ Evaluation of teachers was introduced since 2004, IQAC regularized it every year and is taking feedback from the outgoing students of UG and PG. Questionnaires are prepared as per UGC, NAAC guidelines and College suggestions and distributed to the outgoing students to give their feedback on the performance of teachers, course contents, library facility, administration of the College and the students’ support service provided to them. Questionnaires are done on a 10-point scale without revealing the identity of the students. Impartiality is also maintained by IQAC. Science teachers are deputed for Students’ Evaluation and Arts teachers for Science students. Feedback is analyzed by IQAC and report analysis is prepared by graph by Economics and Statistics Departments.
10. IQAC has always insisted on preparing a teaching plan and departmental profile since 2006. Accordingly, teachers also prepared a teaching plan and departmental profile for timely completion of syllabus.
11. From 2006 IQAC has formed teams of teachers and students who are sent to different parts of the state for outreach programmes.

The following activities are performed by IQAC on a regular basis:

1. IQAC creates awareness in the students and the staff on academic performance and learning outcome and social responsibility.
2. Regular IQAC meetings with educationists and alumni are held to monitor the progress of implementation of the college annual plan.
3. IQAC prepares academic calendar and conducts Academic Audit by external experts, the Principal and IQAC coordinator.

• Institutionalization of IQAC means making quality enhancement an integral part of institutional functioning. As an Accredited College with Autonomous Status, Midnapore College is a sign of quality in the eyes of the stakeholders. Keeping this in view, the IQAC is utilized to generate innovative practices, ideas, planning implementing and measuring the outcome of academic and administrative performance of the College.
• The IQAC develops a quality system for conscious, consistent and catalytic programmed action to improve the academic and administrative performance of the College.
• It convenes and conducts the meetings of various bodies / Association in the College.
• Takes steps to ensure quality culture and institutionalization of best practices
• Organizes Seminars/ Workshops/Distinguished Teachers/ Awareness Programmes on pertinent issues/ student Seminars/ Guest Lectures.
• Conducts Academic Audits and Collects teachers’ Self Appraisal
• Conducts student feedback and analysis annually from different stakeholders and reviews them.
• Prepares AQAR and submits it annually to the NAAC after SWOC analysis
• Encourages Outreach Programs, multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional activities.
• Monitors the Placement /Promotion of Teacher incumbents under Career Advancement Scheme (CAS)
• Takes steps to assure its stakeholders of the accountability of the institution for its own quality.
• Takes initiatives to implement the recommendations of the NAAC Peer Team of the Previous Cycle.
• Prepares and publishes Academic Calendar, Prospectus and Calender of Events.
• Convenes meeting of Parent Teacher Association.
• Makes Result analysis (Semester wise) with the help of Controller of Examinations.
• Persuades Departments to publish Journals.
• Promotes Placement activities and takes initiatives to introduce more PG subjects and Soft Skill Training.
• Urges teaching faculty to register for M. Phil/ Ph.D to achieve academic benchmark.
• Acts as a link between college administration and Students’ Council.
• Looks into Student Support Services, Faculty Development and Co-curricular and Extra-curricular activities.

From the entry to the exit levels, the focus is on the incremental growth of the students from disadvantaged sections of society. The members of IQAC review the progress report of the students belonging to these sections by taking into consideration the interaction with the faculty members who take Special Classes and give their reports of student’s response in assignments. Equal Opportunity Centre/ Cell makes necessary provisions for the progress of such students through personal counseling and contact with their families.