AY 2023-24
Best Practice Report as per NAAC Format
1. Title of the Practice
Journal Club: Enhancing Research Literacy and Communication Skills in Pharmacy Students
2. Objectives of the Practice
- Create Awareness of Recent Trends: To expose students to the latest research and developments in pharmacy education and practice.
- Improve Communication Skills: To enhance students’ fluency in communication and reduce their anxiety in presenting and discussing scientific literature.
- Foster Critical Thinking and Collaboration: To engage students and faculty in analyzing and discussing scientific articles, thereby fostering critical thinking, teamwork, and peer learning.
3. The Context
In pharmacy education, staying updated with the latest research is crucial for fostering innovation and improving patient care practices. However, many first-year students struggle with anxiety when presenting their ideas or participating in discussions, which can hinder their academic growth. The journal club meetings were introduced to address this issue, providing a platform for students to practice their public speaking and presentation skills while engaging with scientific literature. These meetings also help students develop a deeper understanding of research methodologies and academic writing.
4. The Practice
The journal club meetings were organized regularly, with each session focusing on different aspects of research and communication. The meetings were structured as follows:
- Introduction: The facilitator, welcomed participants and outlined the objectives and guidelines for each session.
- Presentations: Students were assigned to present a research article of their choice, which was related to pharmacy practice or education. Presenters summarized the article’s key findings, methodology, and significance, using visual aids like slides and diagrams.
- Discussions: Following each presentation, the group engaged in critical discussions about the article. Topics included the strengths and limitations of the study, implications for future research, and potential applications in pharmacy practice.
- Facilitator’s Input: The facilitator provided guidance and feedback, offering tips on selecting future articles and summarizing the key takeaways from each session.
- Closing: Each meeting concluded with a note of appreciation from the facilitator, highlighting the active participation of students and faculty.
5. Evidence of Success
The journal club meetings successfully met their objectives in several ways:
- Improved Communication Skills: Students demonstrated improved confidence in public speaking and presentations.
- Increased Interest in Research: The meetings fostered a greater interest in research and academic activities among students.
- Critical Thinking and Collaboration: Participants engaged in thoughtful discussions, enhancing their ability to critically analyze research and collaborate with peers.
- Practical Learning: The meetings helped students connect research findings to real-world applications, improving their understanding of pharmacy practice.
6. Problems Encountered and Resources Required
- Challenges Faced: Some students were initially hesitant to present and participate in discussions, and many had limited experience with reading and analyzing scientific articles.
- Resources Required:
- Access to academic journals and research databases for selecting relevant articles.
- Multimedia equipment (e.g., projectors and microphones) to support presentations.
- Faculty involvement to guide discussions and mentor students.
7. Outcomes and Future Plans
- Outcomes:
- Students exhibited increased fluency in communication and reduced anxiety during presentations.
- Enhanced critical thinking and collaboration between students and faculty.
- Improved understanding of research methodologies and academic literature.
- Future Plans:
- Continue regular journal club meetings to sustain momentum.
- Include a wider range of topics to cover various aspects of pharmacy practice and research.
- Introduce collaborative presentations to foster teamwork skills among students.
Format for presentation of Best Practices-II
1. Title of the Practice– Empowering Students Through Cultural Activities
2. Objectives of the Practice- The Cultural Cell empowers students by providing opportunities to develop creativity, leadership, and collaboration through cultural activities.
· To form a Student Council
· To plan and schedule events throughout the year.
· To organize intra- and inter-collegiate competitions
· To students build confidence, enhance communication skills, and foster teamwork.
3. The context:
Cultural activities are a crucial part of holistic education, contributing significantly to the overall development of students. These activities promote creativity, emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, leadership skills, and team-building abilities. The institution has successfully implemented a range of cultural initiatives, which have empowered students by providing them with opportunities to explore their talents, foster inclusivity, and develop soft skills that are essential for their personal and professional growth.
4. The Practice:
Organizing Cultural Events: A Collaborative Effort by the Student Council and Cultural Committee
At the beginning of each academic year, the formation of the Student Council marks the start of an exciting cultural journey for the college. The Student Council, comprising enthusiastic and dedicated students, plays a central role in organizing and executing various cultural events throughout the year. These students are entrusted with the responsibility of not only promoting cultural activities but also leading them with creativity, discipline, and organizational skills. The cultural events are carefully planned through a series of meetings involving the Student Council, cultural committee members, and the principal. These planning sessions are essential for outlining the events for the year, discussing potential themes, and setting the budgets needed for execution. Through these discussions, the team ensures that each event aligns with the college’s vision and fosters the growth of students’ talents.
Before each event, the Student Council organizes detailed planning meetings to ensure everything runs smoothly. These meetings focus on the logistical aspects of event organization, including team coordination, scheduling, and assignment of tasks. The council members, with support from third-year students, take the lead in organizing every aspect of the event. Third-year students, with their experience, provide valuable guidance to the juniors and play an integral role in managing the events, ensuring that everything runs efficiently. To keep the college community informed, event notices are shared on the notice board and in WhatsApp groups. These platforms serve as essential communication tools, allowing students to stay updated about upcoming cultural activities. The Student Council also identifies and encourages active students, motivating them to participate in these events and showcasing their talents. Additionally, they inform students about inter-college cultural competitions, encouraging them to represent the college on larger platforms.
The planning process is thorough and involves creating specialized teams for various responsibilities. These teams include anchors, felicitation coordinators, music and media experts, Rangoli designers, stage decorators, photographers, volunteers for discipline management, and a team to prepare certificates of appreciation for participants. Each of these roles contributes to the success of the event by ensuring smooth coordination and execution. As part of their responsibilities, the Student Council also invites a chief guest and other dignitaries to grace the event, ensuring that the event is both meaningful and professionally conducted. Mementos for the guests and gifts or certificates for participants are arranged as tokens of appreciation for their involvement and contribution.
Attendance is carefully monitored during every event to ensure accurate records, while documentation of each event is a priority. The Student Council maintains a comprehensive record, capturing photos, videos, and other media for future reference. The documentation is then shared on the college website and official social media accounts, highlighting the success of the event and keeping the college community engaged. Through this collaborative process, the Student Council and cultural committee not only organize events but also create an environment where students can develop their leadership, teamwork, and organizational skills. The result is a series of well-executed cultural events that enrich campus life, foster creativity, and contribute to the overall growth of students.
5. Evidence of success:
The success of empowering students through cultural activities can be measured through the outcomes.
Firstly, a clear sign of success is the growing number of students participating in intra and inter colligate activities. The increased participation reflects enthusiasm and a sense of ownership, with students actively contributing to shaping the cultural life of the institution.
Secondly, success is also reflected in students winning prizes at inter-college and university-level competitions. Their achievements in events like music, dance, and drama validate the effectiveness of cultural programs in nurturing talent and preparing students for external competitions. These wins boost students’ confidence and enhance the institution’s reputation, showcasing its commitment to excellence beyond academics.
Lastly, positive feedback from students and parents further highlights the success of cultural activities. Students report greater self-confidence, personal growth, and satisfaction, while parents notice their children’s improved creativity, leadership, and teamwork skills. This feedback underscores the significant impact cultural programs have on students’ overall development, helping them grow into well-rounded individuals.
6. Problems encountered and resources required:
Enabling students through cultural activities involves various challenges that can impact their success. One of the main issues is that many students prioritize academics over extracurricular activities, resulting in low participation in cultural events. To increase engagement, council members actively inform students about upcoming events, encourage participation, and emphasize the benefits of getting involved. Additionally, assigning mentors can play a key role in boosting student participation by offering guidance and support.
A significant challenge is the lack of student involvement in inter-collegiate competitions. To address this, the college decided to cover the costs of entry fees, travel expenses, and other related expenses to make participation more accessible.
Another issue is that students often find it difficult to manage the demands of academics alongside extracurricular activities, which can lead to stress and burnout. To help students balance both, the college offers flexible participation options, and ensures that cultural events are scheduled outside of exam periods. At the start of the academic year, the college provides a clear academic calendar, ensuring that cultural events do not overlap with exams, allowing students to engage in both without added pressure.