Arignar Anna Government Arts College upholds the motto “Duty, Dignity, and Discipline” – in the realization of its vision of emancipation and empowerment of the people through value-based holistic higher education. The college offers a plethora of courses – 11 UG, 10 PG, 7 Ph.D and 9 M.Phil Programmes (yet to be recognized by the Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli). The curriculum is constantly updated and every new academic programme is strategically planned. The exposure of faculty in recent advances through participation in organization of National/International conferences, seminars and workshops, Refresher/Orientation courses and feedback from students, alumnae and academic experts give the right impetus and direction for necessary changes in the curriculum. The college has introduced B.Lit.,(Tamil), B.A.,(English) M.Sc., Botany, M.Sc., Chemistry, M.Sc., Physics, M.A., Economics and M.A., English courses as new programmes in recent ears. Also Seven Ph.D., Programmes i.e., Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Zoology, Commerce, History and Economics departments. Three M.Phil., Programmes in Maths, Zoology and Economics departments are likely to get affiliation from University. Introduction of new courses has led to an increase in admission and enhance the employability.

Members of our faculty, nominated by the affiliating University on its academic and research committees have made significant contribution in making the curriculum industry-relevant by suggesting incorporation of components appropriate for the purpose. Coaching classes are arranged for NET, CSIR examinations, Civil Service examinations under the UGC scheme to orient the students towards career placements. Exposures to industrial organizations through industrial visits, invited talks by subject experts are arranged to the students and enhance their employability.

Admission to the programmes is by a transparent, well-administered mechanism, complying with all the norms of the concerned regulatory/governing agencies including state and central governments. The college follows the open counselling method for the admission of students in all departments based on their rank. The institution ensures equity and wide access by following the Government policy of ‘Communial Reservation’ and is well represented by students from different geographical area and socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds.

The college has adequate inbuilt mechanisms which are continually updated to achieve the goals of academic excellence. The college plans and organizes teaching, learning and evaluation schedules by strictly following the University Academic Calendar, by maintaining academic diaries of the events and co-curricular activities and preparing its blue print of the academic events and co-curricular activities.

Fully aware of the extent and significance of institutional accountability in the teaching, learning and evaluation process, individualized teaching-learning programmes/coaching are conducted cater to the broad spectrum of academic calibre of students admitted. House tests are conducted to assess the academic needs of the students and slow learners and advanced learners identified through an analysis of the tests. Remedial classes are arranged to help the slow learners to adapt to the rigorous teaching learning process and to make credible academic progress. Specialized classes are organized for enhancing the competence and performance of advanced learners. SC/ST, OBC, minority and economically backward students are given remedial coaching. Students mentoring and guidance services are provided for the students at the academic, personal and psycho-social levels. The college also organizes programmes to sensitize the faculty and students on gender inclusion and environment.

The college maintains a student-centric and learner centric atmosphere to achieve the desired learning outcomes. The teachers employ interactive and participatory approach creating a feeling of responsibility in learning and make it a process of construction of knowledge. ICT based facilities are used extensively for dissemination of knowledge and evaluation. ICT enabled class rooms and multimedia facility enable the access of e-resources for the teaching learning process. Interactive instructional techniques group discussions, projects at UG level (B.Sc., Com. Science) and PG level, brain storming sessions, experiments, Power point Presentations and application of ICT resources enrich the teaching learning experience and engage students in higher order ‘thinking’ and investigation. National seminars, invited talks and discussions are an integral part of our learning process.

The college has the distinction of having on its staff outstanding scholars whose erudition has been recognized at International and National level and added a new dimension to the reputation of the college. Our faculty members are recognized as the best due to their meritorious excellence at their respective fields. Teacher Quality is assured by recharging the faculty members in their own discipline and on general professional competence through training programmes such as orientiation, refresher and short term courses. Faculty takes initiative to learn and keep abreast of the latest developments, to innovate continuously, seek improvement in their work and strive for individual and institutional excellence. A total of 10 faculties undertook part-time Ph.D., and have been awarded degree and presently 17 are registered/enrolled for Ph.D., Degree.

As an institution with 45 years of service to the nation, the college has evolved an evaluation pattern with higher weightage to formative evaluation and is, therefore, conducive to the formation of higher level cognitive skills. Responsibility of implementing, monitoring and reviewing the student centric teaching-learning plan and evaluation is vested in the Examination Committee with the IQAC support. As the prevailing school education system in emphasizes rote memory, prepare and evaluate the students for higher level cognitive skills which is intended in specific learning outcome is challenging. The college has introduced many evaluation reforms in the recent past. Innovative evaluation process based on Internal Assessment and Effort Grade helps to gauge the knowledge and skills acquired and also enhance the competence of students

Research and development of higher level research has been one of our major focuses in recent years. The college encourages its staff to take up research activities and engage in interdisciplinary and interdepartmental research activities. Promotion and development of research activities are led by their departments. It acts as facilitator for the faculty research providing the details of funding agencies in different research areas. This has resulted in 3 UGC funded Major Research Projects, One ICMR funded Project, and One TNSCST funded Project and 10 UGC Minor Research Project and One DST-Inspire project (Student level). Out of 10 UGC Minor Research Projects 4 have been submitted and others are ongoing. Nearly 300 research paper presentations have been made in National/International seminars and around 200 research articles publications in National / International journals and seminar proceedings. Research ambience in the campus is achieved by the visits of experts and Scientists during National/International workshops/Seminars and their interactions with students. The proposal for DST-FIST programme for our college had been sent to the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi for facilitating the lab requirements.

Some of our faculty members are approved as research guides in research centres of our college as well as in centres of other universities. The college encourages research on topics/issues of contemporary relevance and global significance through Major and Minor projects to promote research. The policy of the institution to promote campus to community research culture in the campus has led to a number of case studies and projects in environment related issues.

The college provides full support in terms of administrative, academic and human resources required to enable faculty to submit project proposals and approach funding agencies for mobilizing resources for Research. Theoretical and practical findings of our faculty in various areas have been beneficial to their respective disciplines and society at large.

Collaborations with many research institutes and laboratories provide opportunities for quality learning through project work and internship and create better prospects for career options. The college has collaborated with research centres to enable the science students to get exposed to sophisticated science instruments. Collaborations with different agencies and NGOs offer the students of humanities practical exposure and a chance to apply their learning in the field. More collaboration with foreign universities and student exchange programmes are in the way.

Research Publications in Refereed Peer Reviewed Research Journals is on the increase. The P.G. Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, History, Economics and Commerce were recognized as Research departments and constantly involved in research activities to compete their standard at the International level.

The College has a wide range of Extension and outreach programmes with special focus on the under-privileged and the vulnerable sections of society. The Extension Programmes namely NSS, NCC, YRC, RRC, Career Development Cell, Equal Opportunities Centre etc., provide their innumerable opportunities to students to reach out for society and contribute their service in helping the lot of people who are oppressed, powerless and disadvantageous. Several meetings and seminars and special talks for various awareness programmes are regularly held by the above mentioned organizations. Their commitment in empowering the people in and around Musiri area through training in soft skills and other awareness programmes have had impact on the lives of the marginalized sections of society in a big way.

The College has a wide range of Extension and outreach programmes with special focus on the under-privileged and the vulnerable sections of society. The Extension Programmes namely NSS, NCC, YRC, RRC, Career Development Cell, Equal Opportunities Centre etc., provide their innumerable opportunities to students to reach out for society and contribute their service in helping the lot of people who are oppressed, powerless and disadvantageous. Several meetings and seminars and special talks for various awareness programmes are regularly held by the above mentioned organizations. Their commitment in empowering the people in and around Musiri area through training in soft skills and other awareness programmes have had impact on the lives of the marginalized sections of society in a big way.

Infrastructure facilities are the key for effective and efficient conduct of the educational programmes. The college has 36 well-furnished class rooms, 12 labs, and seminar hall. Specialized labs like Dark Room, Language Lab and Computer labs are extensively used for effective teaching-learning and research. Facilitating lab to land research application for science students, the college maintains Botanical garden, educational museums of Zoology, Botany and a Research Library.

Augmenting infrastructural facilities has been a regular practice for sustaining and promoting academic excellence. Keeping in view the role and impact of technological advancements on higher education, the college has upgraded technology to give a new direction to teaching and learning experience at Arignar Anna Government Arts College, Musiri.

The college is having fiber optic backbone in the campus for connectivity of internet with 512 kbps leased line. The access of internet is provided to every department, administrative office and library through this backbone network. This has improved the network and communication across the campuses it has given reliable and fast connectivity.

Well-equipped Computer Labs, Smart class rooms, LCD and OHPs are available to facilitate computer-aided teaching and enrich the teaching learning experience.

An automated Language Lab system with voice recording, playback, one-to-one interaction facility is available for language learning and enhancement of effective communication skills. This lab is used for all the students.

The college established UGC-NRC (Network Resource Centre) in the administrative building in Hi-tech manner which enable the students for getting the information and down load the subjects from the literatures. It aims at inculcating constructive aptitude and innovative sprit among the students.

The college hostel is situated within the campus to accommodate UG and PG students. Elaborate arrangements have been made in the hostel to provide academically conducive, safe and secure accommodation with homely ambience.

The college ensures optimal utilization of budget allocated for the maintenance and upkeep of the college infrastructure by holding regular meetings of various bodies /committees constituted to plan and monitor the projects to be taken up in a session.

The diverse programmes in academics and co-academics as well as sports, cultural and scientific activities are well synchronized and reinforced with an effective support system to produce enlightened and self-reliant student as visualized in the vision and mission of the college.

The college has the requisite provisions which facilitate progression of students from one level of education to the next higher level or gainful employment. The Student Council gives leadership to student involvement in the campus. IQAC, Anti-Ragging Committee, and Discipline Committee, Cleanliness Committee, Reception and Hospitality Committee have student representatives.

Proficiency award, maximum attendance prize and Excellence Awards for Star Performers have been instituted as a token of appreciation for the students with proven record of excellence throughout their campus life.

Teacher-student mentoring aims at the all-round progress of students. Mentoring system ensures their professional, physical, personal and psychosocial well-being. Student Grievance Redress Cell effectively functions in the campus. Sports day, Annual Feet and celebration of different national and international days with fervor ensure the participation of students in extracurricular and co-curricular events.

The college promotes inclusive practices for social justice and better stakeholder relationships. The SC/ST/BC and economically needy students are provided equal opportunities by award of scholarships and stipends. Efforts are made to uplift them by organizing remedial classes. Special coaching classes for UGC/NET/SET Exams are organized under the assistance of UGC Scheme for NET coaching and Entry into Services for SC/ST/BC and economically needy students. The college is differently-abled friendly and pays special attention in terms of support and services.

The college atmosphere is enriched with curricular and co-curricular activities. Events at the departmental level are designed to supplement quality teaching and personality development of students. Encouraging students’ participation in curricular and co-curricular activities like Youth Festival facilitates developing various skills and competencies and foster holistic development. The faculty encourages the students to participate in state, national and international curricular and co-curricular programmes.

The college canteen caters all needs of the faculty and students. The college also has a Store for the purchase of stationary materials and health centre

The college has an old students association (alumni) who have done the institution proud over the past 45 years and they continue to wield an indelible impact in the contemporary scenario. The college has a registered Alumni Association. The college has adopted fresh mechanisms to strengthen these bonds further by initiating a blog on AAGAC website. Their feedbacks are highly appreciated. Our college students are having good record in sports activities such cricket, kho-kho, kabadi, volleyball, and other athelatic games. Our sports students have been planced in Police other departments.

The college has a visionary and transformative leadership which has steered the college to its present iconic status. Rooted firmly in the belief that education is the pathway to the empowerment of society, the enlightened administration provides clear vision and mission of the institution which is in tune with the higher education policies of the nation and facilitates in building the organizational culture. Regular meetings of Managing Committee, Advisory Committee, IQAC and Heads of Departments offer a platform to present and discuss the perspective plans of the college and help in effective implementation of institutional policies. The university curriculum has been supplemented with components of vocational relevance from the gender perspective at the instance of Management. Ever since its inception, the college has been blessed with an array of dynamic Principals, who have enhanced the quality of college‘s educational services and led to phenomenal growth and development of the college.

The Principal works closely with administrative team comprising Co-ordinator IQAC, Dean-Academic Council, to offer effective leadership by setting values and participative decision-making process in coordinating the academic and administrative planning and implementation. Dissemination of information for smooth and effective functioning is facilitated. The institution adopts quality management strategies in all academic and administrative aspects. Quality sustenance of the college is assessed on the basis of objectives embodied in the Quality Policy. The Government provides a host of welfare schemes for faculty and Staff such as housing unit, interest free loans, and advances like vehicle loan house loan etc., the management ensures professional development of the employees by sanctioning study leave for research and providing training to faculty and staff by experts in various fields.

Sustenance of the organizational culture is done through constant rejuvenation programmes. The Government adopts a strategy of careful faculty recruitment and the fresh recruits are given an intense orientation to imbibe the core values and ethos of the college. Professional competence of the staff is updated regularly. Mechanisms for regular performance appraisal of staff have been evolved to ensure academic excellence.

The college office is working under the supervision of Bursar and Superintendent, implements all tasks related to finance and administration. The departmental allotment of money is decided by the Principal in consultation with the Bursar. The college has an established mechanism for mobilizing resources and ensuring transparency in the financial management of the institution. A purchase committee has been appointed to monitor efficient and effective use of finances. The main source of income of the college is the funds from Government and UGC. The college also makes efforts to secure additional funds from various government agencies such as DST, FIST, ICMR, TANSCST and TANSCHE for development activities. The income and expenditure of the institution are subjected to regular internal and external audit.

In compliance with NAAC regulations, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) has been functioning as a quality sustenance measure since 2013. Regular meetings of IQAC and Heads of Departments help in effective planning and implementation of institutional policies. Annual review and progress assessment is done by IQAC. Feedbacks are collected from all stakeholders and analysed for the review of implemented quality policy. Academic audit to compare the academic performance of each department and institution is done on a monthly and annual basis through IQAC Meetings, IQAC visits and SWOC analysis. The Internal Quality Assurance Cell has been an instrumental in raising the bar of excellence and adopting and implementing diverse quality enhancing measures during the accreditation period.

The institution adopts quality management strategies in all academic and administrative aspects. Quality Assurance is managed by IQAC. Quality sustenance of the college is assessed on the basis of objectives embodied in the Quality Policy. The Government supports the teaching and non-teaching staff members for welfare schemes. Sustenance of the organizational culture is done through constant rejuvenation programmes. Professional competence of the staff is updated regularly.

The college caters to the holistic development of the students under its care and thus follows a number of best practices.

The college has best practices of felicitation of Pongal and Ayutha Pooja in the campus for the promotion of community development.

Innovative practices cover the use of ICT in teaching-learning. The model questionnaires issued by NAAC are given to the students for obtaining the feedback about the teaching-learning opportunities offered by the college.

With a grant from the UGC, Remedial Coaching Classes for the students of SC/ST/OBC and minorities are introduced.

The college provides the necessary facilities for doing research activities.

It supports the staff members to get major and minor projects.

For the past five years two UG courses and five PG courses were started for the development of rural people.

All teaching staffs are advised to do the research activities.

Welcome function is organized at the commencement of new academic session every year, is a novel way of welcoming the new entrants to the college in which the senior students of the college greet the freshers