The Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on “Outcome Based Education & Accreditation,” held on October 15, 2024, at SCMS Muttom Campus, aimed to enhance faculty understanding of the principles, practices, and accreditation standards of Outcome-Based Education (OBE). This event was jointly organized by SCMS Cochin School of Business and the Kerala State Higher Education Council, underscoring a collaborative effort toward academic excellence and quality assurance in higher education.
The Inaugural Session, held in the Seminar Hall, began with a prayer, followed by a series of addresses by distinguished speakers. Dr. Nagaraj Shenoy, Director – PGDM at SCMS Cochin School of Business, welcomed the attendees, emphasizing the significance of OBE in improving educational quality and aligning academic programs with professional outcomes. Following this, Dr. G Sashikumar, Principal of SCMS School of Technology and Management, spoke about the role of faculty in implementing OBE to ensure that students achieve desired learning outcomes.
The session continued with Dr. Johney Johnson, Former Professor & Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at M.G University, officially inaugurating the programme. He discussed the broader objectives of OBE and the importance of accreditation as a measure to evaluate and maintain academic standards. Finally, Dr. Poornima Narayan, Professor & HoD of the Department of General Management, PGDM, SCMS Cochin School of Business, expressed gratitude to the speakers and participants for contributing to the success of the event.
Led by Dr. Johney Johnson, the first session provided an in-depth overview of Outcome-Based Education. He shared insights into the core principles of OBE, including the necessity of setting clear, measurable learning outcomes. Dr. Johnson also discussed various assessment techniques to track and measure students’ progress and emphasized the importance of aligning teaching methodologies to support students in achieving these outcomes. The session was interactive, allowing participants to share their experiences and discuss challenges in implementing OBE.
The second session was facilitated by Dr. Manulal P. Ram, Research Officer at the Kerala State Higher Education Council. Dr. Ram covered critical topics such as the accreditation standards necessary for higher education institutions, the key metrics and evaluation criteria used by accreditation bodies, and best practices in documentation, curriculum design, and continuous improvement in line with accreditation requirements. His session focused on providing actionable insights that enable faculty members to implement OBE practices that meet accreditation standards and enhance institutional quality.
In conclusion, the FDP on Outcome-Based Education & Accreditation provided participants with both a practical and theoretical foundation on OBE and accreditation. The sessions offered valuable insights into improving academic quality and aligning programs with professional standards. Attendees gained a clearer understanding of the processes involved in OBE and the requirements for successful accreditation. The event concluded with a positive response from the participants, who expressed eagerness to apply these insights to foster an outcome-driven educational environment at SCMS Cochin School of Business and beyond.
