Accreditation

Paris-Sparsh Scheme

Government of Maharashtra has launched the ‘Parisparsh’ scheme to select NAAC accredited colleges as mentors for unaccredited colleges to aid them in getting accreditation. The state is also following a carrot and stick approach to accreditation where the colleges are likely to face admission bans if they fail to receive accreditation within the deadline stipulated by the Government. NAAC accreditation is an important indicator of the quality of education being imparted in an institute. The process of receiving NAAC accreditation is a lengthy and complicated process which involves the submission of various documents and proofs. Smaller colleges are often intimidated by the cumbersome process and are thus, feel discouraged to undergo the accreditation process. It is envisioned that receiving guidance/mentorship from colleges who have already undergone the process and have received more than A grade in the accreditation report would encourage more colleges to apply and begin their accreditation process. Under the Parisparsh scheme, colleges who have already received accreditation (especially with grades A and above) will be selected by the State to mentor 5 unaccredited colleges each. The colleges which wish to be mentored can apply for the same by filling a form explaining details of the college, courses offered, years of existence, etc. The mentor colleges can provide mentorship by organizing workshops explaining the NAAC process and can also provide one-on-one mentorship to colleges to aid them in their documentation process as well other steps such as conducting student satisfaction surveys and liaising with the on-site peer visit team of NAAC.