BEST PRACTICE: I 

1. Title of the Practice: Digital Transformation for Sustained Development

ICT has the potential to bridge the knowledge gap in terms of improving quality of education, increasing the quantity of quality educational opportunities, making knowledge building possible anywhere at any time. ICT has become increasingly more significant in making educational outcomes relevant to job market in revolutionizing educational content and delivery and in fostering information literacy.

2. Objectives of the Practice:

• Making a shift towards Learner-Centered Environment using ICT as a transformational tool
• Enhancing Student Profile to global standards by monitoring progress and performance and increasing competency by achieving Learning Outcomes
• Heightening learners’ motivation and make learning process enjoyable.
• Rope-in blended teaching in classroom for multi-dimensional understanding
• Up skilling teachers in ICT for increasing the momentum of learning
• E-Governance in administration for error-free and tamper less work flow
• Fostering an ICT culture in campus and motivating all partakers to benefit from the transformation
• Updating adequate ICT infrastructure for implementing realizing the above objectives.

3. The Context: 

In SFRC, situated in a rural backdrop, rural-urban digital divide was largely perceived to be a hindering factor in achievement of learning. In the lines of New National Education Policy 2020, SFRC has also shifted from traditional education to Outcome-based Education. To concretize Outcome-based Approach, ICT knowledge has become an essential factor.

A regular updating of ICT knowledge is a unified element in the learning process and administrative setup. Large number of faculty members was interested in creating e-learning video modules, and ICT tools and were in need of training and infrastructural support. An upgrading was also required to automate college administrative office and the office of the Controller of Examinations to improve efficiency and for perpetuation of records.

Accordingly, the areas and scope of infrastructural upgrading, staff and student training were brainstormed and crowd-sourced. The digital needs were then categorized department wise and for the institution as a whole. 

4. The Practice: 

Digital transformation was done by cloud-based ERMS and E-content Development Cell and Information Resource Centre(IRC).

Initiatives through E-Content Development Cell: 

E-Content Development Cell, established in 2012, aims at digitizing teaching-learning environment and co-ordinates teachers, students and facilitates e-content creation.
Staff Training is provided for Creation of Mindmaps, Multimedia Learning Materials, Audio Lessons and Video lessons/Learning Objects and utilization of following:

• Adobe Dreamweaver (with SFRC template)
• Adobe Premiere Pro 
• Power Director 
• Adobe Captivate
• SFR Learning Management System.

ICT Usage:

• Institutionally-prepared MOOC template. 
• E-Content Development Cell has trained teachers and students to create Mind maps for graphic representation.
• They are trained to create e-content and publish through SFRC CONNECT YouTube channel.
• Interactive LMS is utilized for course wares, online assignments, quizzes, discussions.
• Online Examinations are conducted for Part IV courses

ICT Hardware/Software:

• Wi-Fi-enabled classrooms with 100 Mbps internet connectivity.
• ICT-enabled classrooms, seminar halls and Laboratories with V/Projector/Interactive Device.
• Green Matte Studio with mixing/editing equipments and Final Cut Pro software.
• Lecture Capturing Systemwww.a.impartus.com/
• 647 computers for academic purpose
•  Learning Management System www.sfrmlearning.org
• E-DrawMax Software to create mind-maps
• Adobe Captivate for creating quizzes/e-materials
• G-Suite for Education, a cloud-based productivity suite, incorporated in college website, for interactive and continuous learning
• Matlab and Schrodinger software

Initiatives through IRC: 

• IRC with 20 computers is available for research.
• URKUND plagiarism software is used by staff/scholars/PG students.
• Remote access is available for accessing library resources.
• Instruments in Science Instrumentation Centre are computer-assisted for deriving results.

Cloud-based ERMS Portal:

• ERMS is effectively implemented with modules for online admission, Fee Payment, Attendance, OBE/CBCS Modules, Examination, HR & Payroll, Registrar Office, Hostel Management, Alumni Management, Feedback Management System, Automated Mailing System offer synchronization of academics and administration,  
• Faculty portal is used for students’ attendance, uploading syllabus, Rubric creation for all CIA components and Mark entries. Students can view profile, enroll for courses, give feedback and complete Course Exit Survey through Student portal. Parent portal is available to view their wards’ progress and attendance.
• Examination portal automates all procedures from Nominal Roll preparation to result publication and generation of Attainment Statements. Separate lab with 20 laptops for external examiners to set OBE-based question papers.
• Faculty training on Flair-ERMS software is conducted. 
• Non-teaching staff attended Workshops/Training Programs on PFMS/EAT modules.

5. Evidence of Success: 

• ICT-enabled classrooms created visual learning environment improving learning outcomes.
• State-of-the-art LCS classrooms enabled students to relearn lessons at their pace.
• Integration of ICT-enabled faculty to constructively align teaching with course outcomes
• 114 Dreamweaver e-learning modules, 277 Videos/Learning Objects and 32 audio lessons were prepared by faculty. More than 3482 mind maps are created by faculty.
• Two Best E-content Awards were awarded for faculty with extraordinary content.
• SFRC Connect YouTube channel has earned 2.87K subscribers and 94,403 visits in a short span of time.
• A paper published on student-centric LMS in a national level conference in the year 2015
• Successful implementation of OBE in SFRC has led to development of staff members as resource persons to disseminate information to six colleges.
• A culture of continuous updating through FDPs, Webinars conducted all round the year is achieved.
• Faculty use collaborative methods for sharing content, exam papers, attendance and mark sheets.
• Staff members and students have been involved in uninterrupted learning activities, timely completion of syllabus and prompt conduct of End Semester Examinations during pandemic lockdown,
• Administrative staff are well-equipped and future-ready to incorporate changes in technology.

6. Problems Encountered and resources Required: 

Students hailing from villages suffer a lot without proper internet connectivity. They are not financially well enough to possess electronic gadgets. They often encounter problems with belated submission of content. Because of social customs related to gender, there are also problems in usage of devices at homes.

The institution has to bear huge investment for updating ICT infrastructure. It is also responsible for quality of content in terms of error-free, easy access and uploading and editing processes. The real challenge is that content needs to be original and have no violation of copyrights.  Faculty needs more training to learn and use ICT methods. They also have to invest more time for preparing quality content within a short span of a semester. Motivating faculty belonging to non-computer disciplines to use technology is a big challenge. But the pandemic has altered this trend and made them dive into ICT enabled-teaching.

7. Notes: 

IQAC enabled the creation of a virtual learning environment and connectedness during the COVID19 pandemic:

• Creation of Google Classrooms and WhatsApp groups for each course in all the departments.
• Sharing study materials, question papers and answer scripts through College Email Id.
• Conducting regular online classes through Google Meet.
• Creating video lessons and uploading in SFRC Connect YouTube Channel with an awareness on copyright issues.
• Introducing online tools and resources like Pen Tablet, Interactive White Board, Games and Quizzing software. 
• Conduct of online exams through Google Forms/LMS/Mail and results were published on time.
• Conduct of Webinars on various topics through Google Meet and Live streaming sessions through Google and YouTube. All recorded sessions are available for access by students in SFRC Connect.

Apart from teaching and learning, Ward Meeting, EAS, Orientation, Induction Programmes and Teachers’ Day celebrations were conducted during the pandemic period.

BEST PRACTICE: II

1. Title of the Practice:Standard Initiatives for Rural Rejuvenation (STIRR)

SFRC has constructed a credible network of knowledge transmission in the rural neighbourhood by constantly upgrading itself and creating horizons of hope amidst rural women by educating and upskilling them under community-oriented initiatives of the institution.

2. Objectives of the Practice:

Aims of SFRC in implementing STIRR are as follows: 

• knowledge and skill transfer to adopted villages
• scaling up entrepreneurial acumen among young rural women
• participating in missions Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat – SwachhtaPakhwada - Clean India Mission, SES REC
• raising consciousness on health and preventive lifestyle
• identifying rural sectors for skill development
• bridging accessibility divide by skilling the children and disadvantaged sections of the society
• boosting moral values and upholding social responsibility
• augmenting the level of general awareness in the vicinity and thereby creating a knowledge society with SFRC as base

3. The context:

Mission and Vision of SFRC is to aggrandize rural women in intellectual pursuits and civic efficacy. Most of the students hail from economically backward families whose parents are employed in printing, match works and firework industries. Institution has been taking various steps to educate such students by providing conveyance to remotely located students, providing Free noon meals, through ‘Earn While You Learn’ Scheme, payment of Tuition fees in instalments, placement opportunities and motivation towards higher education. Part V-Social Awareness Programmes and all departments render relentless extension services in collaboration with the local administration and NGOs. Rural environment where college is situated makes it imperative to address the societal issues in relation to

• Assistive Teaching
• Sharing Expertise
• Health and hygiene
• Economic empowerment
• Environmental concerns
• Social values
• Care for the Disadvantaged
• Skill /Personality development

Therefore, SFRC consolidated its initiatives into a long term, multi-pronged best practice of STIRR.

4. The Practice:

STIRR is implemented through Departments/Service channels like NSS, NCC, YRC, SSL, RRC, Citizen Consumer Club, Extension Activity, Environmental Club, UBA, Swachh Bharat and SESREC by following activities:

Assistive Teaching:

• Enhance Learning efficiency by 67 Free Tuition Classes/17 Memory Training programs to Panchayat Union School Students 
• Mathematics & Science exhibition/HD Digital Planetarium/Stage Show/ThamizharinTholVaralaruPesumKankatchiwith 3500 beneficiaries
• Laboratory Training to school children for handling Scientific Equipments
• Computer Literacy Programme to NCLP School Children 

Sharing Expertise:

• Workshops for CSIR/SET/TRB/TNPSC exams for external candidates.
• In-service Training Program funded by TNSCST to School teachers
• Consultancy Service is provided by Science Instrumentation Centre
• Awareness on Consumer Rights to rural people

Health and Hygiene:

• First-aid training to Workers in Fireworks Industries
• Eye Donation/Blood Donation Awareness, Demo on “Services of 108 Ambulance”
• Health Awareness in collaboration with Apollo Hospital, Chennai
• Health Fest Camps in collaboration with Madurai Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai and Anil Kumar Eye Hospital, Sivakasi
• Food Adulteration Awareness Program to Women Self Help Group, Thiruthangal
• Awareness Programme on “Yoga for Women”
• Awareness on ‘Healthy Diet’ in collaboration with Natural Farming, Madurai.

Economic Empowerment:

• Hands-on Training Programme for homemakers/Self Help Groups
• Entrepreneurial Training to start Small Scale Industries
• Training for preparation of toiletry products
• Marketing avenues for Alumnae and SHG products
• Awareness Programs to promote entrepreneurship

Environmental Concerns:

• Preparation of Vermi-Compost  
• Involving students and villagers in Eco-Conscious awareness activities like Tree plantation, Model Displays and Guest Lectures
• Rallies on Eco Awareness, Conservation of Nature/Water, threat of Plastic
• Demonstration on Natural Farming and Awareness on usage of Robots in agriculture

Social Values:

• Under SwachhtaPakhwada Mission, Door-to-door Campaign, Lectures on preventing plastics, and playing cleanliness videos were organized.
• Fire Safety Measures campaign in collaboration with Fire Services Department 
• Demonstration to School teachers/rural people on Identification of Adulterants 
• Participate in Temple Cleaning

Care for the Disadvantaged:

• Celebrating festivals with AIDS patients of Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Centre, Kallikudi.
• Acted as Scribes to support visually-impaired students
• Donations to Orphanage Children 
• Workshop on ‘Across Generation’ for Geriatric people

Skill/Personality Development

• Training in paper-quilling, Mushroom Cultivation, Mehandhi, Aarti plate-making for under-privileged students
• Trained rural people to practice Martial arts like Silambam
• Honing Technical skills, Reading/Writing/Learning Skills
• Conduct of Motivational Programmes/Competitions

5. Evidence of Success:

• Recognition from MHRD under UBA scheme which granted Rs.50,000
• Certificate of appreciation for “One student-One Tree Initiative” was received from MHRD at Annual Swachhta Ranking ceremony at AICTE, New Delhi. 
• NOBLE WORLD AWARD (Record no. NMR/530/2019) was received in recognition of Worlds’ Largest Human Tree Formation consisting 966 participants.
• NSS Programme officers received Dr. Abdul Kalam Women Achiever Awards.
• YRC earned the Certificate of Appreciation 2014 for Best Performance by Indian Red Cross Society, Tamilnadu.
• YRC and RRC received the Award of Appreciation from Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai for Blood Donation.
• Extension Activity received a Recognition Award from the Lions Club of Sivakasi
• Citizen Consumer Club was awarded the Third Best Consumer Club in Virudhunagar District, by the Department of Food Supplies Distribution and Consumer Protection, Virudhunagar District.
• All the departments and students participate actively in social work which uphold their social conscience and give impulse on social values
• Science Expo organized by Science Departments attracted 1180 students in and around Sivakasi.
• 3500 students from both college and school were benefitted from Artefacts Exhibition which culminated in establishment of History and Heritage Museum.

6. Problems encountered & Resources Required:

• Reaching out public in the working hours is a difficult task.
• Activities could not be carried out with continuous progress due to examination schedules for students.
• Organizing programs and meetings in rural areas with insufficient infrastructure is a major hurdle.
• Extension activities in neighbourhood villages can be performed more effectively if more funds are allocated by the Government/parent university.
• Lack of essential facilities in adopted villages restrict women students to participate in extension activities

7. Notes: 

The idealness of SFRC limns when it is recognized as a Mentor Institution under UGC PARAMARSH scheme for six Mentee Institutions for NAAC Accreditation. The persistence lies in Admission of First-Generation Learners and married graduates and completion of course increased year-on-year. Faculty members takes the social responsibility of being officers in conduct of Assembly/Parliament/Panchayat elections and staff members who areappointed for different duties for the conduct of TNPSC Examination for recruitment to government posts. The premises predominantly focus on eco-friendly ambience which filled with ‘Star Garden’, ‘Navagraha Garden’, ‘Zodiac gardens’, Herbal Garden, ‘Ornamental Garden’, Botanical Garden and Miyawaki Garden.