SWOC

Analysis

Internal Quality Assurance Cell

Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam
(A Government Autonomous College)
Overview
The Internal quality Assurance Cell, Maharaja’s College has invested a lot of time and effort
to conduct a SWOC Analysis - a detailed analysis of its internal strengths and weaknesses as
well as an external opportunities and challenges. The SWOC analysis invites the attention of
the institution for positively reshaping the planning processes in the college. As a first step of
the analysis, key reports and other data of the institution was identified and reviewed. Such
reports and data include Student Satisfaction Surveys, feedback from other stakeholders,
reports of the College Plan, etc. As a result of the review of these documents, the College’s
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges began to surface. The analysis revealed
the current state of affairs, while highlighting areas in which Maharaja’s College is strong as
well as those that require further quality improvement.

1 Strength
A strength is an institutional advantage which positively contributes to the college in attaining
its objectives.
1.1 Heritage

Maharajas College is a co-educational institution with natural ambience for learning with a
history of 145 years. The cultural significance of the institution is emphatically felt in the social
life of the state and has made the college a brand name.
1.2 Governance

A government institution where faculty is recruited through the Kerala Public Service
Commission and the student admission strictly follows merit and reservation policy of
Government.
1.3 Autonomy

The only government college in Kerala with autonomous status from 2015-16. This has
provided freedom in designing syllabus, examinations and publication of results on time.
1.4 Faculty

Out of the highly qualified 183 faculty, more than hundred teachers hold PhD, 51 are research
supervisors and all of them have qualified the National Eligibility Test.
1.5 Departments

The college has 18 departments offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The
pass percentage of the post-graduate programmes is above 90%.
1.6 Research

Seventeen departments of the college offer programmes leading to PhD.

1.7 Transparency

The administration of the college is highly transparent and UG/PG admission invariably
follows government rules and every decision making is under the purview of RTI Act.
 1.8 Examinations and Evaluation

Evaluation system in the college keeps high standards of integrity and the examination
procedure is followed by double valuation of all answer scripts and timely result declaration.
1.9 Library

The library of the college is one of the largest in Kerala, having around 1.5 lakh books, journals
and magazines. Each department has libraries and access to world class online databases.
1.10 Infrastructure

The college possesses a Fully Integrated PC Controlled Digital Scanning Electron Microscope
(SEM). The Zoology Museum established in 1874 is one among the 50 international natural
history museums listed in the databank of K G Saur Verlag Gmbh & Co., Germany.
1.11 Stadium

The achievements of the college in sports are supported by the full-fledged flood lit Stadium
with synthetic track.
1.12 Alumni

The college has an illustrious and high profile alumni occupying top positions in society,
politics, culture and administration.
1.13 Inclusiveness and Diversity

Students and staff come from all communities and areas that are socially, economically or
culturally backward, even from Lakshadweep. This helps the institution to identify diverse
ideas and opinions and the college is the first college in the State to implement transgender
students’ admission.
2 Weakness
A weakness is a factor requiring improvement internally. These factors result in making the
institution unable to take advantage of an opportunity.
2.1 Lack of Advanced Programmes for Inter-Disciplinary and Trans-Disciplinary
Research

Though the college imparts high quality learning in all major branches of knowledge, the
college is lacking in advanced programmes that facilitate inter-disciplinary and trans-
disciplinary learning and research at the highest level such as postgraduate programmes in
Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Linguistics,
Archaeology, Artificial Intelligence, Bio Technology, Molecular Biology, Performing Arts,
Mass Communication, Journalism etc.
2.2 Lack of Adequate Supporting Staff

Compared to the number of departments and students, the number of supporting staff is
inadequate. This affects the smooth execution of academic activities. Like the staff pattern of
a university, every department requires ministerial staff who would take the responsibility of
clerical work for the smooth functioning of the teaching -learning and related administrative
process.
2.3 Lack of Advanced Facilities for the Differently Abled and Transgender Students

Although the college caters to the special needs of the differently abled, occasionally, the
college finds it difficult to install advanced infrastructural and smart facilities of international
standards owing to the shortage of funds. Similarly, college is yet to institute several
infrastructure facilities for the transgender students such as residential quarters due to space
and financial limitations.
2.4 Not a Residential Campus

Not being a residential campus is one of the weaknesses of the college. This is due to the
limitations imposed by the physical and financial resources. Considering the enormous
academic resources available in the college, it would have been an advantage for the residential
students to use these facilities without the constraints of time.
2.5 Administrative Autonomy

The drive for quality improvement of the college is hindered by the lack of full administrative
autonomy with respect to the limitations on financial powers delegated to the Principal.
Financial limitations restrict the college from designing a new programme to providing global
exposure to students like student exchange programmes.
2.6 Not Carbon Neutral

A Green Audit was conducted and total carbon footprints in the college were estimated.
Although the college installed solar power plants, replaced T5 lamps to LCD tubes, uses
biomass for cooking campus is not carbon neutral. More energy efficiency projects are needed
for making the college carbon negative.
3 Opportunities
An opportunity is an external situation that, if acted upon, may have a positive impact on the
institution.
3.1 Geographical Advantage

Being in the heart of the city Maharaja’s College is blessed with several unique strengths. The
college is well connected by road, rail, metro rail and boat. The easy accessibility attracts
students with academic aptitude. The metropolitan city provides students opportunities for
working while they learn. The strategic location has contributed to the inclusiveness and
diversity of the college. Eminent personalities find it easy to visit the college and interact with
the students frequently.
3.2 Government Owned and Publically Funded

Maharaja’s College is the only publically funded research and postgraduate college in the
district. The Government support has made the institution stronger and more credible. All
stakeholders including students feel safe and secure being part of a government institution.
3.3 Proximity to Industrial, Trade and Research Centres

Proximity to Industrial, trade and research centres opens up great opportunities for the college.
Industrial areas, facilities like Info Park, international airport and the major port at Kochi offers
academic as well as research opportunities. Cochin University, Kerala University for Fisheries
Studies, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, National Physical and Oceanographic
Laboratory ,other deemed universities and some of the leading research institutions are in the
vicinity. This also extends the college the opportunity for undertaking research in collaboration
with these centres.
3.4 Employment Opportunities

Being in the heart of the metropolitan city the students get adequate opportunities to earn while
studying through part time employment. Students get chances to do translation, content writing
and similar openings through the college.
3.5 New Education Policy

The New Education Policy opens up an opportunity for the college to become a State
University in the immediate future and thereafter evolve to be a Research University. The
college which has been declared as a Centre of Excellence has the potential and resources to
be elevated as a University.
3.6 Access to Academic Facilities

The location of the institution is a great advantage to access many libraries and book
showrooms of international publishers within a radius of 2 km. As the college is adjacent to
open spaces with international exposure, the students get chances to attend international book
exhibitions and science fairs.
4 Challenges
A challenge is an external factor or situation that, if not rectified, may make the institution
vulnerable.
4.1 Availability of Land

Availability of land for future development of the college is the most important challenge faced
by the college. Maharaja’s College, students and faculty, is a cross section of the Kerala society
having representation from all districts of the State. Although located in the heart of the city, a
majority of students are from rural areas and other parts of the state. The College has students
from Lakshadweep also. So making this college a residential institution is the need of the hour.
As the college is situated in the heart of the city no piece of land can be made available for the
use of the college. The stadium of the college itself is separated from the main campus.
4.2 Unable to Design and Implement New Programmes

Due to the non-availability of financial assistance for starting new programmes, the institution
is unable to reap the full benefits of the academic autonomy granted to it. Though the college
designed and submitted a new programme (Blended BSc. Programme in association with
IISER Pune and University of Melbourne) to the government, the government did not sanction
the same and so the real goal of academic autonomy could not be realized.
4.3 Lack of Adequate Government Funding

Lack of adequate government funding is adversely affecting the attempts to continuously raise
research quality to national and international levels. If enough funds are not provided it will
create problems regarding the provision of quality research along with access to all. Earlier,
funds for research was allotted in a need based manner. But now there is inflexibility in
sanctioning funds.
4.4 Staff Pattern

Even after being granted autonomy, the staff pattern of the college remains the same as before.
Though there is a favourable teacher-student ratio, the current staff strength is not adequate for
the smooth conduct of the additional functions of an autonomous college.
4.5 Placement

The students of the college who complete programmes on fundamental or basic branches of
knowledge find it difficult to get a placement matching their qualification as markets are not
generating knowledge intensive jobs.
 S W O C
Strength Weakness

Heritage Lack of advanced programmes for inter-

Governance disciplinary and trans-disciplinary
research
Autonomy
Lack of adequate supporting staff
Faculty
Departments Lack of advanced facilities for the
differently abled and transgender
Research students
Transparency Not a residential campus
Examinations and Evaluation
Lack of full administrative autonomy
Library
Not Carbon Neutral
Infrastructure
Stadium
Alumni
Inclusiveness and diversity

Opportunities Challenges

Geographical advantage Availability of land

Government owned and publically Unable to design and implement new

funded programmes

Proximity to industrial, trade and Lack of adequate Government funding

research centres Staff pattern
Employment opportunities Placement
New Education Policy
Access to academic facilities