Internal Quality Assurance Cell

Integral University got established through Uttar Pradesh Government Act No. 9 of 2004 known as Integral University Act 2004, as a minority educational university as enshrined in the “Statement of Objects and Reasons” of the Act, and Clause 6 of the Integral University Act 2004, which states that

Integral University opens to all classes and creeds. –

• ● The University shall be open to persons of either sex and of whatever race, creed, caste, or class and it shall not be lawful for the University to adopt or impose on any person any test whatsoever of religious belief or profession in order to entitle him to be admitted therein as a teacher or student, or to hold any office therein or to graduate there at Provided that nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the University from making appropriate provisions for reservation of Minority Community which cannot exceed more than fifty per cent.

The Reservation policy of Integral University is therefore as follows

• ● As per the Clause 6 of the Integral University Act 2004, fifty percent of the seats shall be reserved for minorities in admission.
• ● The seats reserved for minorities shall be converted to the general category if remain vacant.
• ● Article 30 of the Indian constitution is one of the many provisions that ensure the preservation of minority rights. Minority educational institutions are exempt from constitutional reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs as required to be done by other educational institutions (Art 15(5))
• ● Integral University is an equal opportunity employer and therefore has no quota in employment.

Integral University admits students from diverse backgrounds and is open to all sections of society. Students admitted belong to various social and economic categories with diverse learning experiences in schools including the medium of instruction and pedagogies. The diversity of learners poses a challenge for teachers and administrators and requires a rational approach to meet the need of diverse learners. However, the academic community of this University is fully aware that meeting the educational and developmental needs of every learner as per their preferences is extremely challenging. Hence, the University offers a broad set of policy guidelines for catering to the student population by segmenting into especially slow and advanced learners.

The policy of catering to student diversity by segmenting on the basis of their learning speeds University aims to gradually develop and implement the materials, methods, and processes to support all segments of learners.

Policy guidelines:

• ● The faculty and mentors shall recognize the diversity of learners on the basis of formative and summative assessments
• ● The faculty shall recognize contextual factors like educational expectations, culture, and socioeconomic factors to mentor diverse learners.
• ● The faculty shall recognize that every curricular practice/activity shall aim to maximize student growth and individual success.
• ● The faculty shall endeavor to differentiate to the possible extent, the pedagogies by which students gain access to core learning ideas and skills.
• ● The faculty shall strive to identify the learning levels of students and remedial instruction thereof.

Identification of diversity of learners:

• ● Initially qualifying marks can be a basis for identifying student diversity and subsequent interactions and formative assessment Mid-Sem tests, assignments, viva voce, etc.) helps in identifying the slow, and advanced learners. A suggested benchmark may be a fifty percent score in assessments.
• ● Formative components of teaching-learning shall also be used to understand the personal characteristics of students and their academic skills- including readiness, interest, learning profile, and a wider range of cognitive abilities
• ● Every teaching department shall undertake to understand the learning profile of students in terms of contextual environment, types of intellectual abilities, and socio-cultural backgrounds.

Remedial activities for slow learners:

• ● Extra classes/ remedial classes shall be organized preferably after completion of each unit.
• ● Tutorials and Re-explaining of critical topics for improving performance and changing techniques to generate interest
• ● Mentors assigned to each student should regularly interact with students and help in improving focus and boosting their self-confidence.
• ● Counseling sessions by teachers/mentors should be conducted to improve the mental ability of students in analyzing problems and to encourage students for learning. Career counseling sessions should also guide students in various fields in which students can do fairly well, and achieve distinction.
• ● Slow learners shall be encouraged for collaborative learning through student groups and also learning materials are shared in advance to help them.

Remedial activities For all learners:

• ● Students shall be encouraged to join MOOC courses that help both slow and advanced learners.
• ● Shall be encouraged to participate in cultural, sports, and extension activities. They are motivated to participate in Inter-University competitions and undertake innovative projects.
• ● Shall be encouraged to perform co-curricular activities related to the field of studies like awareness workshops, training sessions, skill development courses, seminars, and conferences and also to participate in interuniversity and intra-university competitions.
• ● Curriculum flexibility by allowing students to opt and register for interdisciplinary courses of interest in line with the National Education Policy (NEP)

Remedial activities for advanced learners:

• ● The advanced learners should be provided motivation to further enhance their performance and encourage them to gain new insights in learning and envisage quality research.
• ● Learning needs of the advanced students shall be further addressed by giving them guidance for NET/JRF/GATE and other competitive examinations by the University.
• ● Advanced learners shall be especially encouraged to join value-added courses which help them in getting market ready.
• ● Career counseling sessions shall be provided to students in various fields in which students can do fairly well, and achieve distinction.
• ● Advanced learners shall be encouraged to attend Workshops/ Seminars/ Conferences on the campus to keep them updated on advancements in academics and related areas. They shall be given advanced Lab projects, Case Studies, Field projects etc.

To lead the teeming millions of the world through the wilderness of ignorance and illiteracy, as kindle Light.

In line with its mission to make every student a role model of intellectuals and torchbearers for others all over the world through his / her inspiring existence and to make India a self-reliant and dominant G-1country, Integral University (IU) social responsibility is an approach of management which involves both its impact on its humans, and its active role on the promotion of Sustainable Human Development of the country. With this approach, University strives to promote environmental sustainability through developing sustainable campus and to educate to students, staff and community on the need and ethics of sustainability, equality and empowerment.

IU is committed –

• ● To promote and inculcate ethical standards to be adopted by students, staff and other members of society.
• ● To uplift the society through quality education.
• ● To encourage an environment with inclusiveness, harmony and reduced equalities.
• ● To provide a serene and sustainable campus environment and range of facilities, both educational and recreational, which is accessible, stimulating, promotes equality and integrate the ebullience, intellect and dynamism of youth with decency, decorum, discipline and dedication.
• ● To integrate with and support the needs of our local community and promote health and well-being of local community.
• ● To create awareness of environmental issues and sustainable development goals,
• ● To motivate students and local community to make a positive contribution towards environmental issue and sustainable development goals by decisions that reduces adverse environmental impact.
• ● To ensure the sustainable development of campus and to reduce a negative impact on the environment.
• ● To reduce the use of non-degradable materials, and to reuse and recycle possibly.
• ● To aim for reduction of the carbon footprint of the Institution by increasing use of renewable and clean energy, green campus initiatives and improvement.
• ● To provide research faculties, training and expert talk to ensure a healthy and safe environment for the students and staff.
• ● To promote harmony, ethics, equality, peace, justice and good citizenship

New students have to undergo a transition which is filled with hope, dreams, anxiety and challenges. Moreover preparing students for Industry or Higher education institutions with desire knowledge, skills, ethics, citizenship responsibility, and good health requires mentoring which helps in coping the pressure of transition and shaping, identifying the abilities, talent, skills, and council for identifying opportunities.

In line with its mission to make every student a role model of intellectuals and torchbearers for others, Integral University (IU) has adopted 3D mentoring system to council, guide and nurture the talent of students, while relieving from any anxiety. The dimension of mentoring are; university level through carrier guidance and development cell, department level mentoring through Head/ Class coordinators and faculty mentors.

University level mentoring: Centre for Career Guidance and Development (CCG&D) and DSW office are pivotal in the university level mentoring of students;

• ● CCG&D through aptitude/communication/ soft skill training, career counseling & placement guidance, industry experts’ interaction
• ● DSW office through cultural, sports, environmental consciousness, gender equity, extension and well-being activities with the help of departments besides scholarship support.

Department level mentoring: The role of Heads of the Department (HoD) and Class coordinators is very important in the mentoring at department level.

• ● Remain in touch with the students through groups and meetings.
• ● HoDs review the activities of mentors and advise them as and when needed.
• ● Class coordinator Inform the parents, on issues like absenteeism or behavioral changes,
• ● Seek the intervention of respective committees, if required
• ● Help the students for any academic or administrative issues.
• ● Motivate the students for participating in value-added/MooCs/skill courses and other co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

Faculty Mentors: Each student (mentee) is allotted a faculty mentor preferably a teacher of same department or faculty. Each faculty is allotted a group of students preferably of smaller size by DSW/ Dean/ Head. A relatively larger group may be assigned to more than one faculty. Faculty mentors perform the following functions.

• ● Organize meeting of mentees and remain in touch with mentees individually and in group.
• ● Council the mentees on academic and other related matters including any personal issue faced.
• ● Guide the mentees for any administrative or procedural issues.
• ● Promote the use of library and e-resources.
• ● Motivate the mentees to enroll in value added/ MOOC courses offered by NPTEL and Swayam.
• ● Motivate the mentees to participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
• ● Maintain a brief record of mentor-mentee interactions.
• ● Advice the regarding projects, training etc. based on SWOC analysis of mentees.
• ● Intimate the HoD, if required for any administrative or higher level intervention.

Student Centric Methods for Enhancing Learning Experience

Experiential Learning, Participative Learning and Problem-Solving Methodologies

Integral University’s raison d’être is its students. The very idea of the existence of the university is to nourish the world with intellectual culture.It is a well-known fact the practical knowledge far outweighs the theoretical understanding.Integral University believes in such student centric methods of learning which are intended at deploying practical skills that are nonetheless deeply rooted in scientific knowledge and humanistic understanding. For making the students the focal point of entire learning process the university adopts various student centric methods teaching and learning methods. Some of them are discussed below-

1. Experiential Learning:

In experiential learning students are engaged in the learning process to enhance their learning experience by ‘learning by doing’ methods. Some of the methods that are widely practiced in Integral University include-

1.1 Project Work:

This is an essential element of each program where a student has to complete a project so as to enhance his learning experience.

1.2 Industrial Tours:

Industrial tours/visits are frequently arranged in which the students to gain a first-hand experience in their field of knowledge.

1.3 Summer Training:

These kind of training programs are very crucial for the students who are at the end of their program and are about to start their career. Summer training programs provide ample opportunities to students to learn and get some practical work experience in a specific field. The university has a dedicated central placement cell as well as department placement coordinators to look after the training/ placement of the students.

1.4 Training Centers:

Integral University has signed MoUs with companies like BOSCH and Yamaha to setup their training centers and labs in the university campus. These training centers provide industry grade professional training to the students to enrich their learning experience.

1.5 MOOC Courses:

The blended teaching-learning methods have proved quite effective in enhancing learning processes and ultimately increase retention of acquired knowledge, as well as engage learners and fulfil their various learning needs and preferences. MOOC courses come handy when we talk about blended teaching-learning process. The students of the University are given a choice to opt open elective from any MOOC platform of their choice.

2. Participative Learning:

The core idea of the participative learning is that the students should be involved 360 degrees, right from conceptualization and designing of task, to its execution and finally to the assessment and grading. The main objective of participative learning is to supports pedagogy effectively and ensure a collaborative approach to learning.Few of the widely used participative learning techniques used at integral university are-

2.1 Seminar:

Students get a chance to interact with experts from the specific field during seminars conducted at integral university. Seminar provide a platform to discuss about the relevant topics of a particular field, students tend to learn about the latest information and new skills related to the concerned subject during seminar. Integral university prefers using seminar as tool for participative learning as it provides proficiency in verbal communication, expands the network of learners, focuses on encouragement and motivation of students by providing a different environment than classroom.

2.2 Group Discussion:

A deeper understanding of a topic and long-term retention of knowledge is enhanced through group discussion.

2.3 Moot Court:

Students From law faculty of integral university participate in moot court, to improve their research abilities. Moot court is a replica of original court room, it is used as an assessment center, to judge student’s ability to defend a legal case. It is also known as a mock court, in which law students act as professionals and assume all of the responsibilities and duties assigned to them to demonstrate their ability to think creatively, answer convincingly when questioned, and demonstrate their oratory, writing, and persuasive skills.

2.4 Departmental Competition:

Various competitions are conducted at departmental level in all the faculties of integral university, the idea behind engaging the students in such activities is to develop a healthy competitive spirt in them, secondly regular competitions develop a feeling of acceptance in the students, competition teaches us to cope when things do not go our way.

2.5 Different Societies:

Integral university provides platform to students to learn through different societies ,like high note society, cultural society, literary society, integral university social work society .the societies engage in various activities according to their agenda and help in development of students .

2.6 Guest Lectures:

Integral University conducts various individual guest lectures and series of guest lectures every academic session. Integral university supports the concept that guest lectures can break the barriers of class room teaching and support deep learning on various topics related to syllabus and beyond syllabus as well for overall development of students.

2.7 Dissertation Project:

A dissertation project is a structured and authentic piece of writing which develops a logical argument about the selected research topic. It is a major part of the final assessment in an undergraduate, postgraduate. or doctoral degree.

2.8 NSS:

Integral University is a center of NSS, and every year students who opt for NSS activities and camp are given an opportunity to go in the vicinity areas identify a social problem and help the locals in solving that problem. Students are also given to participate in various govt. initiatives like Digital India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao Abhiyan etc.

2.9 Debate Competitions:

Of the many ways of discourses debate is the most effective way of expressing one’s opinion on any topic in the most humble, polite, intellectual and compelling way. In Integral University debate competitions are organized for the students on various occasions like Consumer Day, Constitution Day, and Women Day etc.

2.10 FIESTA:

Every year Integral University organizes its cultural fest called ‘FIESTA’. which provides a window to the students to showcase their various skills like stage plays, qawwali, mushaira, ghazal night, singing competitions, sports competitions, robotic competitions etc. The students and faculty together manage and organizes this grand gala function.

2.11 ILI:

Integral Learning Initiative or ILI is a collaborative blended learning platform. Developed during the times of Covid-19 lockdown with sole intent of providing uninterrupted teaching-learning experience to its students. The platform is developed in such a manner that it gives maximum opportunity to every learner to actively participate in the learning process at any given time from any where.

3. Problem Solving Methodologies:

True problem solving is the process of applying a method – not known in advance – to a problem that is subject to a specific set of conditions and that the problem solver has not seen before, in order to obtain a satisfactory solution. Solving a problem is not an ability but rather a character trait and a mind-set which motivates an individual intrinsically to solve a problem. Society that has a problem-solving mindset is conditioned to not give up on a problem because it has a better sense of confidence and self-esteem when faced with adversity. Integral University is determined to create such a society by providing such students to the society which are equipped with this kind of skill set.

3.1 Case Studies:

Case studies present realistic, complex, and contextually rich situations and often involve a dilemma, conflict, or problem that one or more of the characters in the case must negotiate. Discussing cases in classrooms facilitate exchange of views among students and relate theory to practice.

3.2 Quizzes:

Quizzes are the time proven methods to solve a problem in given time frame. On one hand while taking a quiz, a student learns to manage time effectively and on other it learns to test its level of knowledge to solve a problem. In Integral University quizzes are conducted by teachers in all the UG and PG programs. The quizzes are conducted with entirely unique set of questions to every student in online mode using Integral University’s LMS, Integral Learning Initiative (ILI).

3.3 Research Activities:

Research activities are conducted in each Department under the guidance of senior faculty members where the students get knowledge about emerging areas develop research aptitude.

Preamble:

The Integral University Information Technology (IT) Policy describes the part of central policies that governs the accountable usage of all users of the University’s IT related resources. This includes the IT facilities owed centrally or by individual departments. It is expected from every member of the university to be acquainted with and stick to this policy. Users of Integral University computing, networking and IT facilities are expected to abide by the set rules, which are intended to preserve the utility and flexibility of the system, protect the privacy and work of students and faculty and other staff, and preserve our right to access the international networks to which the system is connected. In case of complaints, appropriate action to be taken will be decided and taken by the person in-charge of the facility in consultation with the authorities as appropriate.

Applicability:

The IT Policy applies to all University faculty, staff, and students with authorized accounts and all others using the IT resources, whether personally or of University owned which access transmits or stores various types of related information.

1.Objectives

Each user of the IT resources must ensure that it is utilized for achieving the mission of the University towards teaching, learning, research, and administration. Some of the major points related to objective are:

• Make the University more accessible to the present and prospective stakeholders and empowering them through enhanced access to information and quality services while improving governance through the use of IT infrastructure.
• Develop international linkages with a view to facilitate participation in national, regional and international networks strengthening teaching, learning and research in the University.
• Promote and strengthen new IT infrastructure and IT services across the University by providing assistance in setting up quality IT infrastructure.
• Create world class IT infrastructure for seamlessly connecting and integrating all IT Service Providers and End Users.
• To ensure the integrity, reliability, availability, and superior performance of the University IT Systems.
• To ensure that the IT resources and copyright material of the University is protected
• To ensure that all the users of the University are accountable for following the procedures for the implementation of this Policy document.
• To make budgetory provisions to expand ever growing digital systems and services including update of IT facilities such as high speed LAN and Wi-Fi facility.
• To identify the IT related requirements for various academic and administrative departments in the campus and recommend the purchase department to make them available the IT related facilities as per budgetary provisions.

2. Areas:

2.1 IT usage and Prohibitions

To the extent possible, users are expected to use only their official email addresses provided by Integral University for official communications with other members of the University. Any complaints/requests must be made using your authorized email id otherwise we will not be able to verify your identity. In case for some reason you are not able to access your IU email then you may write to us (ithd@iul.ac.in) from your registered alternate mail id with us.

2.1.1 The users of the University shall make effective usage of campus collaboration systems, internet, wireless resources, official website Academic monitoring system, Student management system, Employee management system, Integral Learning Initiative and e-Library resources.

2.1.1 The University shall stress upon the users to comply with University policies, IT act of the Government of India and legal obligations (including licenses and contracts).

2.1.2 The University shall attempt to arrange for awareness programmes to explain the users with the effective usage of IT resources.

2.1.3 Prohibited Use - The users shall not send, view or download fraudulent, harassing, obscene, threatening, or other messages or material that are a violation of applicable law or University policy. In particular, contributing to the creation of a hostile academic or work environment is prohibited.

2.1.4 Copyrights and Licenses - Users must not violate copyright law and must respect licenses to copyrighted materials. For the avoidance of doubt, unlawful file‐sharing using the University’s information resources is a violation of this policy.

2.1.5 Social Media - Users must abide by the rules of the University towards the usage of social networking sites, mailing lists, news rooms, chat rooms and blogs.

2.1.6 Commercial Use - The University IT resources shall not be used for any commercial and promotional purposes, through advertisements, solicitations or any other message passing medium, except as permitted under University rules.

2.1.7 NO FOOD OR DRINK is permitted in the Departmental laboratories. Smoking is strictly prohibited. Also making noise either through games/ music or even talking and/ or singing loudly is prohibited.

2.2 Security and Integrity

2.2.1 Personal Use - The University IT resources should not be used for activities violating the basic functionality and mission of the University, except in a purely incidental manner.

2.2.2 The users must refrain from making any unauthorized access of information in order to promote secure access of Network and Computers.

2.2.3 The competent system administrator may access the information resources for a legitimate purpose.

2.2.4 Firewall - Additional procedures to maintain a secured flow of internet and intranet based traffic in the campus shall be managed through the use of Unified Threat Management (firewall).

2.2.5 Anti-virus and security updates - The regular updation of the anti-virus policy and security updates should be done for the protection of computing resources.

2.3 IT Asset Management

2.3.1 Asset Management: The University has business processes for the management of hardware and software assets that facilitates the usage of IT resources in the University. This includes procedures for managing the purchase, deployment, maintenance, utilization, energy audit, and disposal of software and hardware applications within the University. The purchase of new items is dealt by purchase department on the recommendation of the concerned department. The maintenance of IT facility is handled by IT Help Desk (ITHD). The development and maintenance of website and other application softwares are taken care by software Development Cell (SDC).

2.3.2 Copying and Distribution: The University will ensure that there is no violation in the copying and distribution of proprietary and licensed softwares.

2.3.3 Risks: The University shall emphasize on managing the risks involved for the usage of IT resources. This shall include standard procedures for identification, minimization and monitoring of risk impact by preventive and corrective measures. This should also include procedures for timely data backup, replication and restoring policies, power backups, audit policies, alternate internet connectivity for a fail-safe internet access.

2.3.4 Open Source Asset: The University shall attempt towards the promotion and effective usage of open source softwares.

3. Operating Aspects:

3.1 University Governance - The University shall try to ensure fair implementation of this policy so as to meet with the objectives of its formation. The responsibility of the management of operational aspects of IT resources is as per the hierarchical flow of the University governance structure.

3.2 The respective Heads of the departments shall be responsible for compliance with all University policies relating to the use/ownership of information resources, keeping in mind the Vision and Mission of the University.

3.3 Individual Users - It is the users' responsibility to protect their account from unauthorized use by changing passwords periodically and using passwords that are not easily guessed. Sharing of passwords for any purpose whatsoever is strictly prohibited. The users are solely responsible for the activities they perform on University servers with their "UserName/Password" pairs assigned to them.

3.4 To the extent possible, users are expected to connect only to the official IU WiFi network for wireless access. Setting up of unsecured WiFi systems on the IU network is prohibited.

4. Violation of Policy:

Any violation of the basic objectives and areas mentioned under the IT Policy of the University shall be considered as a violation and as a misconduct and gross misconduct under University Rules.

Acknowledgement:

Integral University wishes to acknowledge the following institutions/universities whose related policies and procedure provided background and foundation in the preparation of this policy document:

IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, Princeton University, Yale University, University of Michigan, Thapar University, Nirma University.