As per National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) guidelines every accredited institution should establish an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) as a pre-accreditation quality sustenance measure. Since quality enhancement is a continuous process, the IQAC becomes a part of the institution's system and works towards realization of the goals of quality enhancement and sustenance.

The prime task of the IQAC is to develop a system for conscious, consistent and catalytic improvement in the overall performance of institutions. Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) with Notification Ref. No. SSCET/149 released on dated 11 Sep,2021,in pursuance of the11th PLAN GUIDELINES OF UGC FOR ESTABLISHMENT & MONITORING OF THE INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE CELLS (IQACs) IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (HEIs) (2007-2012), as well as the NAAC guidelines for the creation of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC).

Its aim is to introduce a consistent plan of action that would lead the organization towards progress. It involves preparing strategies for –

* Efficient & timely work processes

* Academic research & programs

* Affordable & innovative approaches

* Use of ICT for modernization of education

* Best assessment process for maintaining quality

* Ensuring the best infrastructure to achieve goals

The following are the top 10 benefits of IQAC in the NAAC accreditation process.

1. Best Practices: IQAC ensures clarity of the work processes and enables the stakeholders to “re-think” the current work processes.

2. Internalization Of Quality Culture: The continuous assessment patterns make it possible to create an internalization of quality education culture in higher education institutions.

3. Better Collaboration of Departments: IQAC ensures a better collaboration between various departments of the HEIs and eradicates the communication gap with frequent evaluation & feedbacks from the stakeholders.

4. Improved Functioning of The HEIs: With a greater level of transparency & assessments, institutions are able to make better decisions and improve their overall functioning.

5. Proper Documentation: IQAC allows the faculty to properly create authentic documentations & keep their records for future reference in the NAAC assessment process.

6. Encourages R&D: IQAC encourages HEIs to pay attention to R&D and make the faculty future-ready by empowering them.

7. Greater Transparency: IQAC peer team verifies all the documents, evidence, and facts and resolves the challenges faced by the HEIs.

8. Project-Based & Service-Based Learning: Students are taught the value of practical knowledge by involving project-based learning as well as service-based learning.

9. Professional Practices: To help children grow academically as well as develop skills, the IQAC team encourages conducting various programs & lectures of professional experts.

10. Global Platform: Unlike traditional teaching-learning culture, IQAC tries to provide a globalized platform to students by inculcating the “think locally- act globally” mindset.

SSCET is a premier institute in North India. To take SSCET to the next level, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell exists to engrain an internal quality culture in teaching-learning, research, students development and progression, innovations and all other academic and administrative operations. The primary objective of IQAC shall be quality sustenance, quality enhancement and quality initiatives so that it acts as a catalyst for continuous improvement in the overall performance of the institution. Following are the objectives, strategies and functions of the IQAC:

a) Objectives

• To develop a system for conscious, consistent and catalytic action to improve the academic and administrative performance of the institution.
• To promote measures for institutional functioning towards quality enhancement through internalization of quality culture and institutionalization of best practices.

b) Strategies

IQAC shall evolve mechanisms and procedures for
• Ensuring timely, efficient and progressive performance of academic, administrative and financial tasks.
• The relevance and quality of academic and research programs.
• Equitable access to and affordability of academic programs for various sections of society.
• Optimization and integration of modern methods of teaching and learning.
• The credibility of evaluation procedures.
• Ensuring the adequacy, maintenance and proper allocation of support structure and services.
• Sharing of research findings and networking with other institutions in India and abroad.

c) Tasks of IQAC

The primary task of IQAC is to ensure and enhance the quality of education and the overall functioning of the institution. Here are the key tasks and responsibilities of an IQAC:
• Quality Assurance: The central role of IQAC is to develop and implement quality assurance processes to maintain and enhance the quality of education and related activities within the institution.
• Accreditation and Assessment: IQAC has a crucial role in preparing the institution for accreditation processes. It coordinates in gathering data and evidence required for various accreditations.
• Continuous Improvement: IQAC monitors and evaluates the various academic and administrative processes within the college, identifying areas that need improvement and recommending necessary changes.
• Benchmarking: IQAC benchmarks the institution's performance against national and international standards to identify areas where the institution can excel.
• Planning and Strategy: It assists in the development of long-term strategic and annual action plans to achieve institutional goals related to quality education.
• Feedback and Grievance Handling: IQAC manages mechanisms for collecting feedback from students, faculty and other stakeholders to address their concerns and grievances related to quality.
• Faculty and Staff Development: It promotes the professional development of faculty and staff by organizing workshops, training programs, and other activities.
• Research and Innovation: IQAC encourages and supports research and innovation within the institution, aiming to improve academic and research standards.
• Documentation and Reporting: It maintains records of various quality-related activities and prepares reports to share with internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and accrediting agencies.
• Data Collection and Analysis: It collects and analyzes data related to student performance, faculty productivity, institute infrastructure, research activities, and other aspects of the institution to make informed decisions.
• Best Practices Dissemination: IQAC identifies and shares best practices within the institution and with other institutions to facilitate continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: IQAC engages with various stakeholders, such as students, parents, alumni, and the community, to understand their needs and expectations and align institutional efforts accordingly.
• Resource Mobilization: It assists in securing resources, both financial and infrastructural, required to maintain and improve the quality of education.
• Preparation and submission of the AQAR: Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) is prepared & submitted to NAAC based on the quality parameters in each academic year by the IQAC.
• Mentoring: IQAC establishes a support system for mentors and mentees, offering resources, guidance, and avenues for addressing challenges.
• Audit procedures: IQAC performs Academic, Administration and Accounts audits at institute level.
• Implementation of OBE/NEP: IQAC performs whole activities under NEP and awares its stakeholders on the OBE & NEP-related transformation.
• Compliance: Ensuring compliance with various regulatory and statutory requirements in the field of education.

d) IQAC Meetings

The IQAC meets at least once every quarter. The quorum for the meeting is maintained as two-thirds of the total number of members. The agenda, minutes and Action Taken Reports are documented with official signatures and maintained electronically in a retrievable format.