Reflections on My Role as a NAAC Mock Team Member at AJ Instiute of Management

The years 2023 and 2024 have provided me with an exceptional opportunity to engage with numerous educational institutions nationwide as a NAAC Peer Team Coordinator. This role has taken me to diverse locations and academic environments, allowing me to assess the quality of colleges and universities, a responsibility I have undertaken with utmost dedication and diligence. The experience has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, where I have had the privilege to interact with esteemed Vice Chancellors, College Principals, and University Professors. Each interaction enriched my understanding and contributed to my professional growth. I am proud to say that I have performed this duty to the best of my abilities, drawing on my knowledge and experience to make meaningful contributions.

Recently, on August 12, 2024, I was invited by my classmate and the current Director of AJ Institute of Management, Jayaprakash Rao, to serve as a Mock NAAC Team Assessor at his institute. This was the second time I had been extended such an invitation, and I was eager to fulfill the responsibility. I began my journey from Manipal at 7:30 AM, arriving at the institute at 9:25 AM. This visit was particularly special as it provided an opportunity to reconnect with my classmates, Dr. Sridhar Shetty and Prof. Nagaraj, alongside Dr. Jayaprakash Rao. It also allowed me to engage with the young and dynamic faculty of AJ Institute of Management.

In preparation for the mock assessment, I thoroughly reviewed the institution’s self-study report for several days. My focus was on understanding every detail to prepare an accurate and comprehensive Peer Team Report. I evaluated the institution based on quantitative and qualitative data, meticulously awarding marks and ensuring a fair assessment. After an exhaustive review, I concluded that the institution deserved a grade higher than an A, a testament to the quality and efforts put forth by the faculty and administration.

Throughout the day, I remained on-site, diligently verifying each criterion and ensuring no detail was overlooked. Dr. Sridhar Shetty played an instrumental role in the assessment process, offering invaluable insights and perspectives to our evaluation.

After a productive and fulfilling day, I returned home to Manipal at around 8:30 PM, reflecting on the experiences of the day. This experience was not only a professional obligation but also a personal journey of reconnecting with old friends, contributing to the growth of an institution, and continuously learning in the ever-evolving landscape of education. As per my evaluation and assessment, AJ Institute of Management should score A Grade, possibly 3.5 to 3.15, the results are based on the benchmarks published by NAAC.