One day UGC sponsored national seminar “ Developing Local Standards Based on Countrywide Criteria “ organized by Internal Quality Assurance Cell of Nehru Memorial College Sullia in collaboration with Mangalore University Commerce Teachers Association was held on 20^th January 2017 at Nehru Memorial College auditorium.

Inaugural Session

Dr. M Abdul Rahiman former vice chancellor of Kannur and Calicut University inaugurated the seminar on 20^th January 2017. In his inaugural address he gave a vast insight into the development of national benchmark in conformity with the local standards , so as to achieve balanced achievement throughout the country. Dr. K V Chidananda,  president of Academy of Liberal Education as the chairperson of inaugural session stressed on the need to have the development in rural area as per the standard set by the national benchmark.

Dr. Giridhara Gowda K, the principal of  NM College Sullia, delivered the introductory speech and  welcomed  the guest and the gathering. Mr. Shridhara V convener of the seminar proposed the vote of thanks. The inaugural session was compered by Mrs. Bhavya P M, lecturer, Dept. of English and Mr. Deekshith Kumar, lecturer, Dept. of Commerce.

I Session – A white Paper on the Objectives Achieved by NAAC

The first technical session was on  ‘A white Paper on the Objectives Achieved by NAAC’. Dr. L N Sheshagiri Associate Professor of English, Govt. First Grade College Jayanagara Bangalore was the resource person. He analyzed the objectives achieved by the NAAC in a lucid style. He emphasized on the development of national benchmark to cater the local needs by considering the requirements of local standards depending upon the suitability of different regions. The session was chaired by Dr. Ashalatha Suvarna, President, Mangalore Commerce Teachers Association.

II Session – Need for Local Initiative in Conformity with Socio-Economic & Geographic Factors

The second session was on ‘Need for Local Initiative in Conformity with Socio-Economic & Geographic Factors’. Dr. H Madhava Bhat, former Principal of Vivekananda College Putur, as the resource person strongly stressed the need to develop the local standards based on socio-economic and geographical factors as the component for setting the national level standards for overall developments in higher education.

III session – Paper presentation by the delegates

The paper presentation session was moderated by Prof. Nandakumar, Dept. of Mathematics, Govt. College Kasaragodu, Kerala. The delegates presented research papers on various issues related to the main and sub themes of the proposed seminar. In their papers they explored the problems and prospects of fixing the local standards depending upon the requirements of the standards in conformity with the best practices and co-curricular activities involved and developed as per their resources.

IV session – Systematic Development and Redefinition of National level Benchmarks on the basis of Local Level Best Practices.

The last technical session was on ‘Systematic Development and Redefinition of National level Benchmarks on the basis of Local Level Best Practices’. Prof. B V  Raghunandan, Rtd. Prof. of Commerce, SVS College Bantwal, was the resource person. In his address he showed an urge to have the systematic development and redefinition of national level bench marks on the basis of local level best practices adopted by different regions as per the availability of resources so as to frame sustainable national level benchmarks to cater the scattered needs of different region in India.

A favorable response was received from the delegates and participants. There were 32 registered  delegates, 35 student participants , 5 resource persons, 7 invited guests and members of faculty actively participated in this seminar.

Valedictory

The valedictory function was held on 20^th January 2017 in the college auditorium.  The function was preside by Mr. Jagadeesh A H, the Administrative officer, KVG Medical College, Hospital & Research Center Sullia. In the presidential remark he highlighted the need for the change in national and local standards to cope with the changes taking place in the higher education.

Prof.  B V. Raghunandan, Rtd. Professor in Commerce, delivered the valedictory address. He said that the fixation of standards at the national level and local level should be reconciled by considering  the requirements of socio-economic and geographic factors of different regions. He gave a call to the youngsters to go beyond the class rooms to explore the nature and come up with the innovative ideas, identify and learn the knowledge which are not sheltered under the main stream.

Dr. Giridhara Gowda K, the Principal of Nehru Memorial College welcomed the guest and the gathering. Mr. Shridhara V , Convener presented a brief note of findings of the seminar and extended the vote of thanks. Dr. Shakira Jabeen B, Student welfare officer, Dr, Poovappa Gowda K, NAAC Co-ordinator, Dr. Ashalatha Suvarna, President, Mangalore Commerce Teachers Association,  were the other digniteries on the dias. The valedictory session was  anchored by Mrs. Bhavya P M, lecturer, Dept. of English and Mr. Deekshith Kumar, lecturer, Dept. of Commerce.

Acknowledgment

We are thankful to UGC for extending sponsorship to the national seminar. We are also thankful to the management of Nehru Memorial College Sullia, The Principal, The Media, Faculty Members and Students of the college, delegates from various colleges and Universities, the guest, resource persons, moderators, paper presenters and well wishers for their contribution to the success of the seminar.