Criterion VII: Institutional Values and Best Practiceson
An educational institution operates in the context of the larger education system in the country. In order to be relevant in changing national and global contexts an educational institution has to be responsive to the emerging challenges and pressing issues. It has a social responsibility to be proactive in the efforts towards development in the larger contexts. This role of the institution is reflected in terms of the kinds of programmes, activities and preferences (values) that it incorporates within its regular functioning. The extent to which an institution is impactful in this is a sure reflection of its quality.
Every institution has a mandate to be responsive to at least a few pressing issues such as gender equity, environmental consciousness and sustainability, inclusiveness and professional ethics, but the way it addresses these and evolves practices will always be unique. Every institution faces and resolves various kinds of internal pressures and situations while doing this.
Some meaningful practices pertinent to such situations are evolved within the institution and these help smooth functioning and also lead to enhanced impact. Such practices which are evolved internally by the institution leading to improvements in any one aspect of its functioning – academic, administrative or organizational, – are recognized as a “best practices”. Over a period of time, due to such unique ways of functioning each institution develops distinct characteristic which becomes its recognizable attribute.
The focus of Criterion VII is captured in the following Key Indicators:
KEY INDICATORS
7.1 Institutional Values and Social Responsibilities
