ASPECTS OF ACADEMIC PLANNING

by S K GUPTA

Planning is the process of deciding in detail how to do something effectively before one actually starts to do it. Academic planning is the process of managing various activities at the institute, department and classroom levels. Principals, Head of departments and Teachers are primarily responsible for managing various activities relating to effective curriculum implementation for producing right type of technical manpower Principals are responsible to manage physical, human, informational and financial resources for effective implementation of curricula leading to gainful employment of students at institute level Head of departments are responsible for managing the resources at department level for providing appropriate learning experiences to the students leading to the development of professional competencies in them for gainful employment

Teachers are primarily responsible to manage the instruction in theory and practice to develop appropriate competencies as per the requirements of the world of work in the relevant subject

It calls for setting objectives, fixing responsibilities and targets and monitoring programmes and activities for achieving desired results

So academic planning is concerned with planning annual cycle of activities related to:

Improvement of teaching learning process Other co-curricular activities

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

Long term courses

 M.E/M.Tech/M.Phil/M.E.E.  Ph.D

SHORT TERM COURSES

 Educational technology  Industrial Training  Computer Education  Subject updating  Curriculum development  Entrepreneurship development  Institutional management/MIS

Preparation of brochure of the institute highlighting its salient features and strengths like:
Background of Institute Types of courses being offered Faculty details Availability of important infrastructure Significant achievements, rewards and recognitions earned  Linkage with world of work/MoU  Future growth scenario     

Preparation of directory of potential employers for different disciplines offered by the institute containing information  Name and address of organization, their telephone and FAX No, e-mail address  Name of chief executive  Products of manufacture/services rendered

COLLECTION OF INFORMATION REGARDING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AT WORK-PLACE IN RESPECTIVE DISCIPLINES LIKE:

Technology development New materials and process Change in profile of technical manpower Research reports

PREPARATION OF DATABASE OF EXPERTISE IN THE RESPECTIVE DISCIPLINES HAVING:

Name, qualification, experience and specialization of experts from academic institutions and industry

Collection of information/feedback from industrial/field organizations regarding relevance of existing curriculum in the respective disciplines  Relevance of curriculum objectives  Reactions/Feedback on course structure/ competency profile  Feedback on detailed contents and suggestions for additions and deletions in the light of technology development at work places  Feedback on employment opportunities

LINKAGES WITH INDUSTRIES FOR :

Extension lectures Field visits/exposure Project oriented industrial training Identifying live problems from industry Providing consultancy to the industry

Development of Infrastructure for Effective Implementation of Curriculum

 Establishment of new laboratories/ workshops  Procurement of equipment/machines/raw materials/working models  Procurement of audio visual aids  Networking with industry and other institutions

Development of Instructional Material Writing books/lab manuals Tutorial exercises/home assignments booklet Questions Bank

CURRICULUM IMPROVEMENT Collecting feedback from teachers/ students/ industry Undertaking studies for starting new programmes/electives

Entrepreneurship Development
Entrepreneurial awareness camps Extension lectures by successful entrepreneurs

Environmental Education
Organizing debates/seminars on environmental protection Making institute green by way of planting trees/flower plants

Community Development

Organizing education training programmes community development Transfer of technology

and for

Conduct of Meetings
Conducting regular meetings of : Principal and HODs Principal, HOD and Faculty Principal, HOD, Faculty Students HOD, Faculty and Students

and

Co-Curricular Activities
 Institute annual day
          Sports meet/annual athletic meet Cultural programmes Debates/declamation contests Exhibition Social welfare camps/NCC/NSS Educational tours Alumni association Improvement of core facilities Discipline Committee/Student Welfare Committee Any other activity like blood donation camp etc