Come July, faculty have time for their families and self, a travel to some hills or abroad and plenty of joy. It is so profound and necessary to rejuvenate. It is also a time for some faculty in private institutes who have short summer holidays to invest in their skills and some value creation for one’s institute.
Maybe some of you concerned with the Institute Development Plan (IDP) can invest in this single most transformative document. It is an interesting document, and takes quite a bit of focused “soch vichar”. But once done, it is a great tool in the hands of governing body and top executors to steer their institutes to meet their dreams. They find clarity in institute’s purpose, mission, goals and clear direction to navigate. IDP is unique to institutes and it certainly can’t be copy- pasted from elsewhere. If not yet developed, it is for the Dir IQAC of an institute to ignite the process sooner than later.
It maybe a good idea to invite views of Advisory Board members, key stakeholders, and engage an advisor to join institute’s think-tanks. People associated with IDP must be visionary and distinguished academics, capable of reading the future with accuracy, and accordingly competent to develop an enabling plan.
Before a nominated IDP Committee starts its work, it may consider following three stages outlined as under:-
Stage: 1 : Seeking advanced Clarity from BOM/GB
Before the committee starts working, its members should read the UGC IDP guidelines throughly, jot down key issues requiring input from the Management. If not done, members might go for a wild goose chase and waste time in researching something which institute Management is just not in agreement with or prepared to invest in. But before any views are sought, the committee should be fully seized of the nuances of every single critical inclusion. Here is one possible agenda points you may set for committee’s first meeting with the Management (rephrase when circulating).
Agenda Point :1 Approval of composition of IDP Committee with Dir IQAC as Convener, a couple of highly experienced stakeholders, visionary academic n’ research experts (internal/external), Dean academics, Dean research, CFO, Registrar and IT Head.
Agenda Point-2: In the light of NEP 2020 spirit and appropriateness of institute’s current vision, mission and values, seek opinion whether institute would like to go into an exercise for a fresh vision, mission and values. Prepare a well-reasoned statement.
Agenda Point-3: Whether IDP goals be set for 5 years (short term) or 15 years (long term).
Agenda Point-4: Views of the VC/GB as regards resources and funds required and available to meet the set goals. If there are little or no funds and also no plan to muster, then your IDP objectives would be severely constrained. It would be a good idea to get institute SWOC analysis/AAA completed by an external expert before the endeavour on IDP. It would assist you in arriving at some potential goals and objectives and hence the financial resources needed.
Agenda Point 5 : Preliminary discussions on major IDP initiatives to facilitate focussed search/research by the committee in areas such as sustainable programs of the future, the need to hire specific talent faculty, a research plan, skill needs, supporting physical infra, labs, innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives, social n’ community initiatives, students’ and faculty development initiatives, admissions, placements, digital and IT objectives, governance and HR enablers, collaborations, linkages, research eco-system etc. (take UGC document as a guide).
Stage 2 Drafting content :
Breakdown IDP plan into various sub parts. Let each member of the committee undertake one chapter/section and develop draft by undertaking significantly wide/deep research. Committee should hold at least one online/offline meeting in a week for members to exchange views. Organise as many meetings as required to complete the draft. Develop Chapter/Sections. Under every Chapter/Section, create a table of headings, namely goals, objectives, targets, KPIs, tactics/tools to leverage, responsibility/ownership for each initiative and timelines for completion. Circulate draft in the institute for views by the environment. Specify the mechanism of monitoring and periodic review of IDP compliance.
Stage 3 Organise a one-day meeting with Hon’ble VC and GB and present the draft. Incorporate views of the VC and GB to finalise the IDP. Publish it on the website. Issue ION to all for compliance. Keep a few nicely designed hard copies with quality print, handy for record and presentation to the outside world.
Best wishes
Prof JR Sharma
