Raja Narendralal Khan Women's College
(Autonomous)

Best Practices in My Institution

Best Practices 1

1. Title of the Practice:

Promotion and Conservation of Local Cultural, traditional and Biological Diversity

2. Objectives of the Practice:

The key objectives of this practice are to:

1. Establish a Biodiversity Park within the college to protect and showcase local flora and fauna, fostering environmental awareness.
2. Create History and Folk Museums to preserve and celebrate regional heritage and traditions.
3. Set up Parampara - Centre for Study of Indian Traditional Knowledge and Culture to promote and research traditional knowledge systems.
4. Support Primary Schools and Villages through infrastructural development and educational excursions, enhancing community well-being and financial stability.
5. Raise Awareness on health, hygiene, and conservation issues, including the importance of elephant corridors.

These initiatives are designed to harmonize and safeguard cultural, traditional, and biological diversity, while advancing sustainable development and enhancing community empowerment. The core principles guiding these efforts are the preservation of cultural heritage, environmental protection, and active community involvement.

3. The content:

Implementing the best practice for promoting and conserving cultural, traditional, and biological diversity involved addressing several key challenges:

• Environmental Planning: Establishing the Biodiversity Park required careful ecological assessment to ensure effective protection and representation of local species while minimizing environmental impact.
• Cultural Preservation: Creating History and Folk Museums involved sourcing and conserving regional artifacts, presenting them accurately, and engaging the community to ensure the preservation and appreciation of local heritage.
• Traditional Knowledge Integration: Setting up the Parampara Centre required collaboration with experts to integrate traditional practices with modern research, ensuring cultural sensitivity and respect for intellectual property.
• Community Development: Supporting primary schools and villages involved overcoming infrastructural deficits and resource limitations, requiring community engagement and sustainable planning for effective development.
• Awareness and Education: Raising awareness about health, hygiene, and conservation, including the importance of elephant corridors, demanded effective communication strategies to address varying levels of awareness and resistance to change.

An evolving society is deeply rooted in its past and traditions. Appreciating cultural heritage through an integrated education approach is crucial. The College aims to foster cohesive, inclusive, and sustainable regional development by promoting awareness of our diverse society. By encouraging staff and students to engage in and organize cultural activities, the College underscores the interdependence of education and culture. Programs like various associations, literary fests, and the 'Basantika' event support this vision, enabling individuals to grow and contribute meaningfully to the community.

4. The Practice

Raja Narendralal Khan Women’s College has established itself as a trailblazer in integrating cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and community development within its higher education framework. This unique approach underscores the college's commitment to fostering holistic development, not only among its students but also within the surrounding communities.

Biodiversity Park: One of the college’s flagship initiatives is the establishment of a Biodiversity Park with the help of  the West Bengal Biodiversity Board. This park serves as a dynamic educational resource designed to enhance environmental awareness and research. The park features a variety of specialized zones:

• Butterfly Garden: Guided by experts from the West Bengal Biodiversity Board, this garden includes separate beds for butterfly larval host plants and nectar plants, creating a thriving environment for local butterfly species.
• Eco-Pond: The College’s existing pond has been transformed into an eco-pond with indigenous fish culture, supporting aquatic biodiversity and offering a practical learning environment for students.
• Wild Habitat Observation Zone: A designated area has been converted into a wild habitat observation zone, with a staircase leading to a naturally occurring bird-watching spot.
• Medicinal Plant Garden: This garden houses a range of important medicinal plants and is complemented by a nursery. It aims to educate students about the value of medicinal flora and its applications.
• Tropical Fruit Orchard: Adjacent to the medicinal plant garden, this orchard grows various fruit species. The fruits harvested here are sold to fund the park’s maintenance, linking environmental sustainability with practical financial management.
• Interpretation Center: This center is equipped with an indigenous fish gallery, photographs, and information about the campus's flora and fauna. It also features a two-part documentary film showcasing the rich biodiversity of the area and promoting awareness about conservation.
• Wall Paintings and Composting: A 900-foot stretch of wall within the park is adorned with environmentally conscious messages and artworks to raise awareness. Additionally, an organic manure zone processes campus leaf litter into fertilizer, supporting sustainable gardening practices.

History and Folk Museums: The college has established two significant museums dedicated to preserving and celebrating West Bengal’s cultural heritage:

• History Museum: This museum focuses on Midnapore’s role in the Indian Freedom Movement, featuring thirteen sculptures depicting key historical events and figures, as well as rare photographs of women freedom fighters.
• Folk Museum: This museum showcases traditional Bengali artifacts, including clay items, pottery, Patachitra, and various folk art forms from different regions of West Bengal. Many of these items are linked to the Bengali curriculum and reflect the college’s commitment to cultural education.

Development of the Parampara Centre for Study of Indian Traditional Knowledge and Culture: This center has been established and promotes the research and dissemination of traditional knowledge, blending ancient wisdom with modern academic inquiry. It has hosted many cultural events, workshop in tribal Art painiting in the college for faculties and students.

Community Support and Development: The college plays an active role in community development through several initiatives:

• Infrastructure Projects: Financial contributions have supported local infrastructure, such as road construction in Muradanga village and installation of lighting in primary schools.
• Educational and Health Programs: Under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan scheme, the college has provided drinking water facilities to several primary schools and organized health camps and awareness programs on health and hygiene. Students from the Department of Nutrition and Physiology regularly visit villages to support these initiatives and monitor mid-day meals.
• Entrepreneurship and Empowerment: The college fosters entrepreneurship among students and local women through programs that involve creating and selling products such as pickles, sauces, and home décor. Training in pisciculture and organic farming has been provided to ST and SC communities, enhancing local economic opportunities.
• Practical Education and Community Engagement: The college integrates practical education with community service. Students participate in mentoring primary school students, engaging in environmental and social responsibility projects, and contributing to the college's broader mission of community involvement.

Raja Narendralal Khan Women’s College stands out as a distinctive higher education institution by integrating academic rigor with cultural and environmental care. This innovative approach not only enhances the educational experience for students but also significantly contributes to the betterment of the local community.Top of Form

5. Evidence of success

• Environmental Planning:
• Till date three students from three schools and two colleges have visited the Biodiversity Park for educational purposes and have enriched their knowledge in terms of environmental awareness and research.
• The college has been awarded the District Green Champion Award for exemplary work in the field of environment conservation and protection by the MGNCRE, GOI.
• The college has been awarded as the SAP institution for its exemplary work in the field of environment conservation and protection in the local community by the MGNCRE, GOI.
• Museums and Cultural Preservation: The History and Folk Museums have successfully preserved and showcased regional heritage, with the History Museum highlighting key moments of the Indian Freedom Movement and the Folk Museum celebrating traditional Bengali artifacts. These museums have enriched the curriculum and deepened students' connection to their cultural roots.
• Parampara Centre for Study of Indian Traditional Knowledge and Culture: The establishment of the Parampara Centre for the Study of Indian Traditional Knowledge and Culture has demonstrated notable success through various impactful events:
• Dance Program: The center organized a special one-day dance program featuring thirty-eight Vachana (saying) choreographed by the renowned Sri Shiva Kumara Kala Sangha from Sanehally, Chitradurga, Karnataka. This event, led by Smt. Sneha Kappanna and her team in collaboration with the IQAC of RNLKWC (A), highlighted the integration of traditional dance with academic research, showcasing the center's commitment to blending ancient wisdom with modern inquiry.
• Classical Music Evening: In association with the IQAC of RNLKWC (A), the Parampara Centre hosted an electrifying evening of jugalbandi featuring Pt. Nayan Ghosh and Sri Ishan Ghosh on tabla, accompanied by Sri Hiranmoy Mitra on harmonium. Organized by GEET MANDIR, the event was a celebration of Indian classical music and reinforced the center's role in promoting and preserving traditional performing arts.
• Tribal Art Workshop: The center, in collaboration with the IQAC, conducted a workshop on tribal art painting for faculty and students. The workshop received widespread acclaim from the local community and media, reflecting the center's success in fostering appreciation for traditional art forms and enhancing cultural education.

These events underscore the Parampara Centre's effectiveness in promoting Indian traditional knowledge and culture, blending scholarly research with vibrant cultural practices.

• Community Support and Development: The college has effectively contributed to community development through various successful initiatives:
• Infrastructure Improvement: The college has made significant financial contributions to enhance local infrastructure, including road construction in Muradanga village and the installation of lighting in primary schools. These efforts have substantially improved local facilities and accessibility.
• Educational and Health Initiatives: As part of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan scheme, the college has enhanced educational resources by providing drinking water facilities to several primary schools. Additionally, it has organized health camps and awareness programs focused on health and hygiene. Students from the Department of Nutrition and Physiology actively participate in these initiatives, visiting villages to monitor mid-day meals and support health education.
• Entrepreneurship and Empowerment: The college promotes entrepreneurship among students and local women through programs that involve the creation and sale of products like pickles, sauces, and home décor. It has also provided training in pisciculture and organic farming to ST and SC communities, which has improved local economic opportunities and empowered marginalized groups.
• Practical Education and Community Engagement: The college integrates practical education with community service. Students are actively involved in mentoring primary school students, participating in environmental and social responsibility projects, and supporting the college’s broader mission of community engagement.
• Award: The college has been judged The Economic Times Best Education Brands in 2023 and 2024 for demonstrating the college's successful role in fostering community development, enhancing local infrastructure, and supporting educational and economic empowerment.

6. Problem Encountered and Resources Required

Funding Limitations: Securing adequate funding is a significant challenge for preserving and promoting local culture and traditions, as well as for conducting research in these areas. Financial constraints hinder the ability to fully implement and sustain these initiatives.

Pandemic-Related Issues: The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced major obstacles, including disruptions to planned activities and events. The absence of students from campus during the pandemic further complicated the execution of cultural and educational programs.

Scheduling Conflicts: Organizing extracurricular activities without interfering with academic schedules in a semester-based system poses a challenge. Balancing academic commitments with community engagement requires careful planning and coordination.

Infrastructure Limitations: Being situated in a Panchayat area rather than a municipal area limits access to certain facilities and resources that are typically available in more urban settings. This geographic limitation affects the college’s ability to fully implement and support various programs.

7.Notes

Nil

Best Practices 2

1. Title of the Practice

Harnessing Digital Innovation to Streamline Administration, Examinations, Finance, and Student Support Services

2. Objectives of the Practice

This practice is rooted in digital transformation and sustainability. By implementing e-Practices, the college boosts efficiency and communication while supporting environmental conservation through a paperless approach, demonstrating its dedication to modern advancements and ecological responsibility in a Panchayat area.

• Efficient Service Delivery: Enable administrative services to be accessed and managed with ease through digital platforms, enhancing efficiency and convenience.
• Environmental Sustainability: Promote a paperless environment by digitizing administrative functions, contributing to environmental conservation.
• Enhanced Communication: Facilitate quicker and more effective communication within the college community, ensuring prompt responses and service deliveryas well as technological benefits to assist the teaching and research work.
• Operational Transparency: Increase transparency by cashless transactions and accountability in financial processes through digital tracking and reporting systems.
• Cost Reduction: Reduce operational costs associated with paper, printing, and manual processes.

3. The Context

In designing and implementing digital practices at the college located in the panchayat area of Phulpahari, several contextual features and challenges had to be addressed. The students come from underprivileged “Jungle Mahal” regions such as PaschimMedinipur, Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia, and distant areas of PurbaMidnapur, Howrah, and neighboring districts, where access to technology and digital infrastructure is limited. Implementing a digital transformation in this context required overcoming significant barriers, including inadequate internet connectivity, funds and a lack of digital literacy among students and staff. Additionally, the college had to ensure that technological solutions were user-friendly and accessible to individuals with varying levels of technical proficiency. By addressing these challenges, the institution aimed to enhance administrative efficiency and communication while fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment in a remote and under-resourced region.

4. The Practice

This practice sets the standard for digital transformation in Indian higher education by transforming administrative and student support services. The college's e-Practices, located in Phulpahari's panchayat area, are unique in that they address the issues faced by students from socioeconomically deprived locations. By overcoming restricted technological access, the institution improves productivity and establishes a model for leveraging digital solutions to boost education in rural places.
e-practices in Administration:The college's e-Practices in administration leverage a suite of digital tools to streamline operations and enhance communication.

• Administrative Communications: Managed through the college website, student login portal, WhatsApp messages, and an electronic notice board for timely updates and efficient communication.
• Webmail Facilities: Provided to faculty and research scholars using G-suite, enhancing email communication and collaboration.
• Faculty Information System: Faculty members can update their profiles independently via the ERP portal using their unique User IDs.
• Faculty Research Support: PhD supervisors have access to Turnitin for plagiarism checking, Inflibnet, and e-journals to support research activities.
• Software Licensing: Microsoft EduCloud’s Office 365 and Microsoft Teams are subscribed to for smooth functioning and coordination in administration.

e-practices in Finance: campus is cashless, students can make payment of fees online using various e-payment gateway.These e-Practices streamline financial operations, enhance accuracy, and facilitate real-time tracking of financial activities.

• Financial Management: Handled through WBIFMS, HRMS, e-Billing, e-PRADAN, PF Register, and AIMES Cloud for efficient and accurate financial operations.
• Vendor Payments: Processed through the PFMS portal to ensure timely and transparent transactions.

e-practices in Examinations:In the college's examination management, e-Practices streamline various processes through a dedicated examination portal.

• Internal assessment and Class Attendance marks: Recorded through faculty login on the college examination portal.
• Theory and Practical Marks: Entered and managed via faculty login on the examination portal.
• Tabulation and Grade Card Generation: Processed through COE login on the college examination portal.
• Marksheet Generation: Handled through the college examination portal.
• End Semester Result Declaration: Managed through COE login on the examination portal.

e-practices in Student Support Services:The college employs a range of e-Practices to enhance student support services efficiently.

• Student Admission and Registration: Managed through a separate Admission portal.
• Migration and Transfer Certificate Issuance: Processed via the student ERP portal.
• Student Database Management: Handled using AIMES Cloud, an ERP software for educational institutions.
• Career and Psychological Counseling: Provided online through web portals, Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
• Scholarship Verifications and Support Systems: Managed through institutional logins on Central or State Government portals.
• Learning Management System (LMS): Microsoft Teams subscription offered an e-learning platform during the pandemic.
• Semester Registration and Enrollment for Examinations: Conducted through student login on the college website.
• Result Viewing: Accessible via student login on the ERP portal on the college website.

5. Evidence of Success-

The implementation of e-Practices in administration, finance, examinations, and student support services has achieved notable success, as evidenced by significant improvements across various metrics. The smooth functioning of these areas through electronic media, apps, websites, and portals reflects the effectiveness and success of these digital innovations.

Administrative Efficiency:The college website, student portals, and communication tools have streamlined administrative processes, improving both the speed and accuracy of communications. Faculty can manage their profiles and access research resources more efficiently, while paperless operations support environmental sustainability. Additionally, data collection for AQAR/NIRF/NAAC and annual report generation has been significantly simplified, further promoting a paperless approach and contributing to environmental conservation.

Financial Management:The integration of WBIFMS, HRMS, and PFMS for vendor payments has enhanced transparency and efficiency in financial transactions. Digitizing financial management has improved tracking, minimized errors, and ensured more reliable financial reporting. Payments are processed more quickly with automatic generation of payment challans and receipts. Additionally, ledger statements are automatically produced, making them convenient for audit purposes.

Examinations:The examination portal has significantly streamlined the examination process by enabling efficient recording of attendance, management of marks, and result generation. This digital approach reduces manual workload and speeds up the entire process, allowing for more timely declarations of results. Faculty can enter and track marks with greater accuracy, minimizing errors and ensuring reliable grade management. Additionally, the portal facilitates seamless tabulation and report generation, which enhances transparency and reduces administrative burdens. Overall, the use of the examination portal has led to more efficient, accurate, and faster handling of examination-related tasks.

Student Support:The adoption of online counseling platforms and Learning Management Systems (LMS) during the pandemic has provided uninterrupted support and learning opportunities for students, allowing them to continue their education despite physical barriers. The ERP portal offers seamless access to essential services such as admission, certificate issuance, and result viewing, making administrative processes more efficient and user-friendly. Additionally, integration with government portals has streamlined the processing of scholarships, ensuring timely and accurate disbursement of financial aid. This comprehensive digital approach has not only maintained educational continuity but also enhanced overall student experience and support.

6. Problems Encountered and Resources required

The challenges faced by the college due to its location in a Panchayat area.

• Absence of Electricity:Frequent power outages disrupt online classes and administrative functions, risking data loss.
• Slow Speed of Internet:Limited bandwidth affects the efficiency of online learning and communication, slowing down tasks.
• Interruptions in Internet Services:Frequent connectivity issues hinder access to online platforms and digital tools, causing delays.
• Change in Email IDs and Cell Phone Numbers:Constant updates to contact details create administrative challenges and risk communication gaps.
• Lack of Proper Devices for Each Student:Limited access to personal devices creates disparities in learning opportunities and engagement with online resources.

7. Notes

Nil