These documents collectively outline a comprehensive assessment and rating framework for pharmacy colleges established by the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). The framework details eleven key criteria for evaluating institutions, ranging from curriculum implementation and practical experiences to human resources, financial management, research output, and community outreach. It describes a multi-stage process that includes online registration, orientation, application submission, a desktop review, and an onsite visit by expert assessors. The assessment utilizes a maturity model framework and comparative benchmarking to identify performance gaps and guide improvements, ensuring holistic evaluation through feedback from various stakeholders like students, faculty, and alumni.
The Data Capturing Format (DCF) is a standardized tool developed by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and the Quality Council of India (QCI) for the assessment and rating of pharmacy colleges. Its primary purpose is to systematically collect comprehensive information across various aspects of a pharmacy college’s operations, including curriculum, practical experiences, teaching-learning environment, student admissions, human resources, research output, financial resources, community outreach, and quality assurance. This data then forms the basis for an assessment and ranking process, ensuring that colleges meet prescribed norms and standards for quality pharmacy education.
The assessment and rating framework for pharmacy colleges is structured around several key criteria. These include:
Curriculum: Evaluating the design and delivery of academic programs.
Practical/Hands-on/Clinical Experience: Assessing the provision of laboratory and real-world practical training.
Teaching-Learning Environment (Physical, Psychological & Occupational): Examining the overall campus environment, including safety, infrastructure, and support systems.
Students’ Admission & Attainment of Competence: Reviewing admission processes and the development of student skills and knowledge.
Human Resource & Teaching-Learning Process: Evaluating faculty qualifications, teaching methodologies, and faculty development programs.
Assessment Policy: Formative/Internal Assessments and Summative/University Examinations: Analyzing the methods and effectiveness of student evaluation.
Research Output & Impact: Measuring the research contributions and innovations from the college.
Financial-Resource: Recurring & non-recurring expenditures: Assessing the financial health and investment in educational resources.
Community Outreach Programs: Evaluating the college’s engagement in community service and public health initiatives.
Quality Assurance System: Reviewing the internal mechanisms for maintaining and enhancing educational quality.
Feedback & Perception of Stakeholders: Gathering input from students, faculty, alumni, and regulatory inspection committees to gauge satisfaction and areas for improvement.
The framework places significant emphasis on practical and industrial training. It assesses whether students are provided with hands-on experiences in well-equipped laboratories, including various specialized labs like Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, etc., with available equipment and apparatus as per prescribed norms. It also checks for the availability of displayed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for equipment and simulated lab setups. Furthermore, it evaluates the provision of practical and industrial training beyond prescribed lab work through agreements (MOUs) with pharmaceutical industries or healthcare centers. This includes opportunities for project work in professional settings, industrial visits, and placements in departments like Quality Control & Assurance, Chemical Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical R&D, and Clinical Research Organizations.
The framework includes specific parameters to ensure student safety and well-being. This involves checking for measures against ragging and gender harassment, including the constitution of Anti-Ragging Committees (with representation from civil and police administration, students, parents, NGOs, and the Head of the Institute) and Anti-Ragging Squads. Colleges are also assessed on their organization of sensitization and awareness programs based on the POSH Act (Prevention of Sexual Harassment). Reporting and redressal mechanisms for ragging and gender harassment cases are scrutinized. Additionally, the framework evaluates fire safety measures, including the conduct of mock drills in teaching blocks and hostels, and the number of functional fire extinguishers. Biomedical waste management and access to quality drinking water are also important safety considerations.
Pharmacy colleges are expected to provide a comprehensive range of infrastructure and facilities to support student learning and well-being. This includes:
Library Facilities: A physical library with adequate area, reading rooms, seating capacity, automation, Wi-Fi/internet, and a sufficient number of computers, along with subscriptions to print and electronic journals.
IT Infrastructure: Functional computers and multi-media projectors for teaching.
Simulated Learning: Facilities for Computer Based Simulation (CBS) for training in areas like Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy, Community Pharmacy, and Practical Pharmacology.
Hostel Accommodation: Well-equipped hostels for both boys and girls with necessary safety measures and computer systems.
Recreational Facilities: Indoor sports like carroms, chess, badminton, table tennis, and outdoor sports facilities such as tennis, badminton, basketball, volleyball, football, cricket pitches, and athletic tracks.
Other Amenities: Separate common rooms for boys and girls, an auditorium/multipurpose hall for cultural activities, and cafeteria facilities on campus. Annual sports activities are also expected to be organized.
The framework assesses student academic progression and career development through several parameters. It looks at the number of students who appeared in and qualified national/international level competitive exams like GPAT, NIPER-JEE, GMAT, GRE, CAT, and MAT. It also tracks the number of students who secured admission to PG and other higher education programs, both in India and abroad, as well as those who progressed into professional/clinical research or entrepreneurship. The placement status of UG program students through on-campus/off-campus placements in national or international organizations within the pharmacy field is also a crucial indicator.
Quality assurance is a fundamental criterion, with colleges being assessed on their participation in NAAC Accreditation, NIRF ranking, or other regulator-recognized assessment and rating systems. A key component is the establishment and functioning of an Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), which should have documented evidence of its constitution and conduct training programs for staff on quality improvement. The IQAC is expected to adopt scientific models like the PDCA Cycle for quality enhancement, and each department should conduct periodical audits and set quality improvement targets. Feedback from various stakeholders, including sampled students (measured by an Inspiration Index), faculty (Loyalty Index), alumni, and inspection committees, is also collected and analyzed to provide a holistic view of the college’s quality and areas for improvement.
The ranking and rating process involves several stages:
Registration & Fee Payment: Colleges initiate the process through online registration on a designated web portal and pay a non-refundable assessment fee.
Orientation & Training: Registered colleges, including principals, HODs, faculty, and administrative staff, participate in online and/or batch-wise orientation and training sessions conducted by QCI/NABET experts. These sessions cover the portal, process flow, framework requirements, supporting documents, and guidelines for completing the online application form.
Application Submission: Institutes fill in details on the online portal, complete the application by uploading required documents, and submit accurate data and attachments.
Desktop Review: The application undergoes a desktop review by NABET/QCI for completeness of documents.
Onsite Visit: An onsite visit is arranged for verification of qualitative and quantitative parameters by two expert assessors and one representative from NABET, QCI Secretariat. The assessment is conducted using a mobile application, allowing for offline data capture.
Analysis & Scoring: The data collected, including the physical verification findings, is analyzed, and suitable scores are assigned based on a defined scoring rubric.
Final Submission: The findings and scores are recorded and shared with PCI, leading to the final assessment and rating. The framework utilizes both qualitative and quantitative parameters, with performance levels ranging from Level 1 to Level 4, and scores are often normalized across all participating colleges.
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