Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA)
About CIQA
Institute of Distance Education (IDE) of University of Madras has established the Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA) to strive for excellence within the framework of UGC’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Regulation of 2017. CIQA-IDE was created in recognition of the need for ODL specific standards for quality assurance and in acknowledgement of the special needs of the academics and learners. The CIQA will monitor and track key performance indicators for its compliance with ODL regulations with an overarching purpose of developing and implementing a flexible, dynamic and learner-centric programs. CIQA-IDE will oversee various IDE related activities to provide greater transparency, accountability and superior quality through appropriate institutional and technical support.
Objectives (As per ODL Regulations 2017)
1. To monitor and maintain quality in the services provided to the distance education learners. Activities
To fulfill the above objectives the Centre for Internal Quality Assurance shall Functions
CIQA of IDE shall perform following functions:-
CIQA Committee
Members of CIQA Ongoing Activities and Institutional Roadmap
Best Practices in Quality Assurance in IDE- University of Madras
To provide quality education and strike for academic excellence, the following steps have been taken by the Directorate of Distance Education of University of Madras. The best practices adopted by the university have been functioning with the framework of UGC-ODL Regulation (2017): Minutes of the Meetings
1st Meeting of the centre of Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA), IDE, UNOM: 23-10-2019
2. To ensure continuous improvement in the entire operations of the Institute of Distance Education, University of Madras.
3. To identify the thrust areas in which the IDE should focus to maintain its competitive advantage.
4. To ensure transparency through timely dissemination of information on quality standards at IDE.
5. To devise mechanisms for interaction with regular departments and research centers of University of Madras for updating curriculum and syllabus.
6. To make evidence-based recommendations through regular monitoring and future proof IDE for technological and institutional changes.
7. To encourage and sustain engagement of all stakeholders namely, learners, teachers, staff, parents, society, employers, and government in quality improvement processes at IDE.
8. Collection, collation and dissemination of accurate, complete and reliable statistics about the quality of the programmes offered by IDE.
1. Prepare a Programme Project Report for each programme according to the norms and guidelines prescribed by the UGC and wherever necessary by University of Madras’s Syndicate, Academic Council and Senate
2. Get the Programme Project Report approved by the appropriate authority of the University of Madras and the UGC before launch of the programme;
3. Oversee the development of Study Learning Material (SLM), integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), setting up of Learning Centres and coordination with the IDE
4. Put in place sub-committees to ensure the proper implementation of Programme Project Reports;
5. Design, develop and deploy annual plans for quality enhancement at IDE
6. Develop systems for collating feedback from students, employers and other stakeholders and share the same with key decision makers at IDE
7. Develop localized and context specific quality benchmarks and key performance indicators for various stakeholders at IDE
8. Organise workshops or seminars on quality related themes at IDE and disseminate the proceedings of such activities to wider audiences
9. Develop and implement innovative practices in major areas leading to quality enhancement in services to the learners at IDE and Learning Centers
10. Cultivate culture of creativity and innovation amongst faculty and staff;
11. Adopt measures to ensure internalisation and institutionalisation of quality enhancement practices through periodic accreditation and audit;
12. Support research activities for evidence-based policy decisions
13. coordinate between the IDE and the UGC for various quality related issues or guidelines;
14. Prepare a record of activities undertaken on quality assurance in the form of an annual report;
1. Develop and Implement Policies for programme development methodology and programme delivery mechanism that are aligned with the vision and mission of the IDE
2. Make recommendations on any issues related to programme development, Information and Communication Technology intervention and implementation, learning and teaching, collaboration referred to the Committee;
3. Supervise academic approval and related modification procedures and to ensure that programmes satisfy stated design requirements and academic standards appropriate to the type and level of award as per philosophy of the Distance Learning mode of education;
4. Promote technology adoption and oversea change management of academic and administrative activities of the IDE and Learning Support Centres;
5. Oversee and report on the effectiveness of systems for institutional self-evaluation and monitoring;
6. Engage external subject experts or agencies or organisations for validation and annual review of its in-house process, its Learner Support Centres, Open and Distance Learning mode programmes
7. Engage, if necessary third party auditing bodies for quality audit of programme (s);
8. Approval of Self-Appraisal Report to be submitted to the Assessment and Accreditation agencies on behalf of IDE;
9. Promote collaboration and association for quality enhancement of Open and Distance Learning mode of education and research
10. Foster industry-institution linkage for providing exposure to the learners.
1. Dr.R.Srinivasan, Professor, IDE - Director
2. Dr.B.Devemaindhan, Associate Professor, IDE - Member
3. Dr.S.Sasikala, Assistant Professor, IDE - Member
4. Dr.T.R.Gopalakrishnan, Assistant Professor,IDE - Member
5. Tmt.A. Renuka, Deputy Registrar, IDE - Member
6. Tmt. M. Banumathy, Account Officer, IDE - Member
7. Tmt. Wilma Agnes Chirostopher, Assistant Registrar, IDE - Member
1. Introduction of innovative, market-driven Diploma and Certificate Program covering areas like Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Content Creation.
2. Introduction of Diploma and Certificate Program that serve as bridge courses to meet the needs of existing students in affiliated colleges for various fields such as commerce, management studies
3. Design, development and deployment of Online/E-learning programs through SWAYAM Portal based on Four-Quadrant Model suggested by UGC
4. Establishment of state of the art audio-visual and instructional design studio for development of e-content, course materials
5. Introduction of B.Ed program to meet the growing demands from teaching community
6. Establishment of professionally managed Grievance Cell to address the needs of the learners
7. Implementation of reforms for responsive administration and streamlining online payments
8. Periodic appraisal and updating of IDE study materials to make it topical and relevant
9. Preparation for next round of NAAC Assessment with a target of reaching the highest score in the country.
1. Study Material has been designed and developed along well-established SLM (Self-Instructional Mode) format and are written by experts and highly qualified resource persons.
2. The entire course material is available online for students to download.
3. IDE has ensured consistency in syllabus between regular mode and distance mode. This has enabled students to transfer credits and switch mode of study without loss in syllabus coverage or credits. Both IDE and Regular Department curriculum are periodically updated by the Board of Studies to reflect the current state of knowledge in the field,
4. Each approved program has a course coordinator and the adequate staff support to ensure that the programs run smoothly and student’s queries are addressed without delay.
5. Grievance Cell has been established to serve the needs of the students and dedicated staffs ensure that the issues are addressed quickly.
6. PCP classes are regularly conducted as per schedule and students are informed well in advance to make sure that they have opportunity to attend these sessions.
7. Students are regularly provided updates and SMS notifications with regard to PCP classes, Internal Assessment, Examination Dates, and Fee Payments etc. Further alerts and reminders are provided via email.
8. Online fee payment system has been established so that the students can pay their fee from anywhere and at any time.
9. The infrastructure of the IDE has been built with due consideration to differently abled persons. Further the IDE website has been designed with Accessibility Principles to ensure equal opportunity and access.
10. IDE is providing scholarships for student under various government schemes. A special cell has been established to assist in this process.
11. IDE has implemented prescribed norms and standards for operations of Students Learning Centres established in affiliated colleges. Learning Centres provide students support services and help them achieve their academic goals. Inspections committees visit the Learning Centres to ensure that they perform as per expectations.
Agenda of the first CIQA meeting and Minutes of the first CIQA meeting
Agenda Notes of the Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA) meeting of Institute of Distance Education (IDE), University of Madras scheduled to be held on 23 October 2019 at IDE building, University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai-600 005.
The following agenda items will be discussed
1. Project Programme Report (PPR) of all the Master and Bachelor Degree programmes will be reviewed and finalised in terms of quality, adoption and contextualization of syllabus.
2. Self learning materials will be reviewed and standardize in terms of quality.
3. Pattern for Term end examination question papers in PG and UG programmes will be reviewed and finalised in terms of quality.
4. Continues Assessment format for PG and will be discussed and finalised.
5. Scope for field work activities, seminars, workshops etc., for various programmes will be discussed and finalised.
6. Preparation of learning materials in Multiple Media and such as Self Learning Material, e-Content, Auto Video content etc., according to set standards and requirement.
7. Standard strategy and procedure to be discussed and decided on monitoring mechanism for student feedback on counselling.
