Malabar College of Advanced Studies.

1. Best Practice I

Title of the Practice: “Zero to Hero”,
The Context:
One of the hectic problems in the field of higher education is that highly qualified but unskilled people are produced and distributed to the market. As a result, it does not guarantee employment, improved lifestyle, higher income, social recognition etc. Various studies prove that the main reason behind this problem is that people are acquiring knowledge but do not develop skills. As a solution to this problem, the Career Development Cell of the college introduced an innovative program called “Zero to Hero '', a paperless digital test. Its aim is to make the students fit as demanded by the society and market. It equips the students for career plans.
Objectives:
To make students competent for all India level entrance examinations like CAT, MAT etc..
To prepare students for performing well in public exams like PSC, UPSC, and SSC.
To prepare students for placement drive, especially of the multinational companies like WIPRO, TCS, INFOSYS etc.
The practice :

The execution of this project is divided into different phases as follows:
Phase1 :
Prepare model question papers of competitive examinations including basic mathematics, reasoning,
English literacy, and general knowledge.
Phase 2 :
Prepare the answer key with solving steps and equations.
So that, after the exam, the students can learn how to solve each question.
Phase 3 :
Conduct the exams on the first Wednesday of each month at 3 pm.
Phase 4 :
Distribute question papers through e-mail to all HODs and they forward the same to the concerned teachers
before 3 pm.
Phase 5 :
Teachers forward the question papers to students through the WhatsApp group, and students attend the questions during half an hour-long exam. After completion of the exam the results will be sent to the teachers. Teachers will forward it to students so that each student can evaluate their proficiency in aptitude tests.
From 2020 onwards Zero to Hero program was continued virtually through WhatsApp groups. The program was given a new name "C-Circle" (competition circle) where more students could be included. Here students could learn through different means like audio, video, text and lecture series. This program engages and assesses students by conducting exams daily and weekly.
"C- Circle” Malabar College of Advanced Studies
C- Circle was started with the support of CIGI (Centre for Information and Guidance India) aiming at equipping students to write competitive exams. It is a group of students and teachers who are interested in or plan to take various competitive tests in different fields, as well as those who are willing to assist them with directions or expertise. Every day, students are provided virtual resources. Usually, exams are held at 8 p.m. for revision.
Objectives:
1. To encourage the students to write competitive exams.
2. To motivate students to apply for state and central government jobs.
3. To give awareness to students about various governmental and private sector jobs.
The practice :
The initiative is entirely run through WhatsApp groups. Each year's pupils are divided into separate groups. In each group, there are over 200 participants. The day's materials will be sent to the groups the day before or in morning. The contents will be sufficient for a half-hour to one-hour learning session. Every night at 8:00 p.m., there will be an exam consisting of 50 questions based solely on the materials. Every Saturday night at 8:00 p.m., there will be a 100-point super test consisting of materials covered during the week. Numerical ability, mental ability, current affairs, Indian and Kerala history, and so on are among the topics covered in the materials.
Evidence of success:
As evidence of success, our students broke the barriers in front of them and started participating in inter and intra collegiate competitions and bagged prizes. It also developed confidence in them and many of them got good and dream jobs through on campus and off campus placement drives. Although C-Circle is still in its early stages, students are gaining greater confidence and courage to attempt competitive exams.
Eg:
1. Sajad Rahman of BCA (2013-16 batch) got placement in Wipro
2. Rinshad of BCA (2013-16 batch) got placement in Infosys.
3. Mashood Pof BCA (2014-17 batch) got placement inMaxxion,Kochi
4.Muhammed Nadir of BCA (2015-18 batch) got placement in FINEKUBE IT Solution ,Kochi
5.Abdul Rauf Kuzhiyancheri of BCA (2016-19 batch) got placement in TCS
6. Salmanul Faris K of BCA (2016-19 batch) got placement in CTS
7. Aboobakar Sidiq of Electronics (2014-17) got placement in Britco & Bridco.
8.Muhammed Safwan of Electronics (2016-19) got placement in ReadTeam cyber academy
9.Muhammed Muhsin of Electronics (2017-20) got placement in Wipro
10. Kabeer P of BBA (2014-17) got placement in Byjus
11. Navas of BBA (2015-18) got placement in Milma
12. Unais P of BCom (CA) (2013-16) got JRF and now doing PHD
13. Jasim of BCom (CA) (2017-20) presently doing MBA at university of Standford.

Problems encountered and resources required:
Since the program was organized for all students of the college, it was too difficult to bring everyone to the single platform at a time. During the conduct of C-circle, the covid-19 pandemic brought the issues regarding continuity. Smart phones with supporting applications were required for the successful conduct of the program. But the digital divide affected the regularity and the participation of students.

2. Best Practice II

Title of the Practice: - SHARING IS CARING- Society Linkage Programme
Objectives: To link the institution with the community thereby developing a mutually advantageous
environment.
The Context:
As the Malabar College of Advanced Studies is a newly established and the only government aided higher education centre in Vengara constituency of Malappuram district, the college governing body realised that it is mandatory to take initiatives to link society and the college. The governing body entrusted IQAC to design a framework to address the issue and decided to do a maximum number of community linkage activities within a short period of time without compromising quality. As a result, various clubs were formed to facilitate students to take part in different social mobilised activities. Though there were many challenges on the way the institution overcame them by setting up a clear-cut objective and modes of operandi.
The practice :
Abhayam Bhavana Padhadhy – Abhayam is a dream project initiated by the NSS unit of the college with the whole hearted support of management, staff, PTA and students. Under the project the college constructed a home for a flood affected family in Othukkungal Grama Panchayath. The dream project of the budding college was materialised with the assistance of students, staff, alumni and philanthropists.
The students’ Initiative in Palliative -The College has an active SIP Unit. Every day 2 to 4 volunteers visit bedridden patients in nearby Panchayats with the cooperation of pain and palliative units of Kannamangalam, Vengara, Oorakam and Parappur Panchayats. We feel proud to say that every student admitted to the college has to visit bedridden patients at least once during their 3-year course period as part of the Palliative Care Programme. The practice has been implemented in the college with the view that such a visit will develop fellow feeling and social commitment among students. It also releases their stress and trains them to become lifetime volunteers to serve the society.
Sthreemithram, Women empowerment through education-The WDC of the college launched a new project named ‘Sthreemithram’ in collaboration with Oorakam Grama Panchayath. The project aimed at empowering the women community in the surroundings of the college through various programmes and workshops. Sessions were given on the relevance of Lifelong education, self-defence, and positive parenting and woman friendly start-ups. Female faculty members of the college lead the technical sessions.
Hrithantham, Cardiac Medial Camp – The WDC of the college organised a One Day Cardiac medical camp and awareness class for the public in association with Aster MIMS Hospital Kottakkal and the Community Development Society of Oorakam Grama Panchayath. A team of five doctors were present and more than two hundred individuals were benefited by the free
medical camp.
Fund collection for district level Kidney Welfare Scheme: The college collected an amount of 1,85000/- (rupees one lakh and eighty five thousand only) in 2016 from students, parents, staff and the local people and contributed to the Kidney Patients Welfare Scheme under the District Panchayath, Malappuram.
Neethi Jwala- The college conducted a legal awareness program entitled Neethi Jwala in collaboration with Kerala Legal Services Department and Community Development Society of Oorakam Panchayath. Adv. Musthafa C.P, Senior Advocate of Parappanangadi Bar Association interacted with the participants and made them aware of various rights and privileges of women ensured by the Indian constitution.
Koode and Sukrutham Projects were the initiatives of the college for empowering children in the locality. The Koode project was implemented through the NSS unit and Sukrutham through WDC respectively. Volunteers visited nearby Anganavadies and conducted competitions and awareness programs for the children. Children’s day celebrations, Theme based exhibitions, Kuttykarshakar, Ammakorumma, awareness rally and vaccination awareness are the major activities organized under these project
Akshara Laksham –Literacy program in vengara panchayath.
Adoption of Village -Karimbilylakshamveedu colony Flood relief activities -Parappur, Vengara, Oorakam panchayaths Evidence of success:
The society linkage initiative is one of the best practices with clear aims and objectives. Through the practice, the college became an ideal centre for higher education within a short span of time. The practice has brought many laurels to the college including best NSS unit Award, Best Program Officer Award, WDC Special Mention Award, recognition for illiteracy eradication program, honour for flood relief activity etc. Besides these, at the implementation phase, the students were exposed to various realities of the social life through which they could develop fellow-feeling and could understand the need for the involvement in social activities in future too. Many parents have shared their observation regarding the qualities their children acquired through the social linkage activities.
Problems encountered and resources required:
The major problems faced during the practice is the hectic schedule of the curricular activities and university exams. The management of the attendance system was another problem encountered. The unavailability of resources also constrained the smooth running of the practice. The college has effectively utilised the available resources to make the practice consistent and successful. Teachers served as the resource persons in many programs to avoid financial crises.