Government First Grade College, Vijayanagar

 The multidisciplinary Higher Education Institution, Government First Grade College, Vijayanagara was established in the year 1985-86 with only 22 students and has been soaring steadily in all  pedagogical spheres to scale the sky. It celebrated its Silver Jubilee in the year 2010-2011. Situated in the heart of the Silicon City of India, it has grown exponentially and is playing a pivotal role in educating, moulding and empowering more than 4000 students. The College and its staff have worked in improving Quality enhancement, sustenance in teaching-learning, research, governance, infrastructure, disciplinary measures, student support systems, multidisciplinary nature, and inclusive education as key factors which have contributed in morphosing the HEI into one of the leading multidisciplinary institutions in the region in the past decade.

The multidisciplinary HEI offers Arts, Commerce, Science, Business Administration, Computer Application as Undergraduate Programs and Post- graduation programs in Kannada, English, Economics, History, Commerce, Management and Mathematics including a Research Centre in Kannada.

College Development Council headed by local MLA, Sri M Krishnappa, Vijayanagara Assembly Constituency is providing support to augment infrastructure and financial assistance to needy students over the years. 

     Since the inception of the College, the Commissionerate of Collegiate Education has supported in all its activities. The college has grown under the guidance of many illustrious principals and is poised to achieve great heights under the leadership of the present Principal Dr. Y Venkateshappa. 

Regular chalk and talk, online teaching, LMS, YouTube videos created by faculty etc., e-books and Braille for blind students are regular features in teaching and learning. Many faculty are on BOS and giving their best in framing the Bangalore University curricula. Field visits, industrial visits are organized as per the requirement of the subject. In the past five years the institution has offered more than 20 add-on/certificate courses on soft skills, value addition, environment, Yoga for physically challenged, Indian Constitution, competitive examinations etc., UGC sponsored Add-on courses were offered by the Departments of Sociology and Journalism. All first-year students are given free laptops/tabs by the government to facilitate online learning by using LMS. At right time Philanthropists and NGOs donated computers, laptops, furniture, gadgets to Chethana which facilitated the online teaching-learning during the pandemic.

    The programs are imparted effectively by committed and qualified 66 permanent faculty supported by  full time temporary faculty appointed by Department of Collegiate Education. Trained, experienced faculty; many amongst them are research scholars, research guides, writers and scientists; nearly fifty percent among them are with Ph.D  in their respective domains are the pride of the institution and contributing qualitatively towards accomplishment of institutional Vision and mission in 19 departments. Many faculty have received state, national and international awards in the fields of teaching, science, literature, drama, social work etc., The institution is proud to have faculty who have been conferred with many prestigious awards and recognition at International, National and State Levels in the spheres of teaching, science, literature, social work, theatre and film, etc., To add to its pride, our students have secured ranks and gold medals both in UG and PG courses. They have brought accolades in sports and culture also by winning at state level, national level and international level events. 

The institution has received ‘Third Gender sensitization’ award for its contribution to the wellness of the third gender community by ‘JEEVA’ trust for sexual minority, Bengaluru which is an added feather to the cap and reflects the HEI’s concern to the underprivileged community. Add -on course on Gender was conducted with series of lectures on transgenders with emphasis on interactions. Experience was shared by transgenders. The institution ranked first in the performance conducted by SQAC, DCE. 

     The HEI has created a good research ambience and is proud to have completed 19 UGC sponsored Minor Research Projects. One Major research project sponsored by ICSSR-IMPRESS New Delhi and one Minor Research Projects by INSA are completed recently. College has also hosted more than 20 regular /offline National Seminars/Workshops/Symposiums in last decade sponsored by UGC, NAAC, VTPC and in association with other academic bodies. The HEI has published five anthology of research articles since 2016 under REACH-Research, publication and consultancy committee with ISBN and ISSN. Faculty, Research Scholars students publish good number of research papers in reputed national and international journals with high impact factor

     The infrastructure is augmented regularly and is in pace with the increase in student strength, introduction of new UG and PG courses. Classes are conducted in 43 classrooms built in four floors.  Some of the Classrooms are provided with LMS facility. HEI has established well equipped laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Computer Science, Mathematics (both UG and PG), psychology, geography. Business lab, Language lab, skill development centers, Commerce and Management labs are exclusive lab facilities extended to students. Recently, skill enhancement lab, language lab, two new computer labs have been established with the support of CDC Chairman Sri M Krishnappa, Local MLA, Vijayanagar, Bengaluru, Opportunity Foundation and Rotary Vijayanagar. Indoor and outdoor sports facilities with sports grounds, gym facilities, open air stage, Kuvempu hall are the supporting infrastructure for the sports and cultural activities. R.O.drinking water, ladies rest room, washrooms on every floor, sanitary napkins vending machines with incinerator, disable friendly washrooms, canteen are other facilities.  All these facilities are maintained regularly to keep them up in good condition.

Library and information center is an integral part of the HEI for learning, teaching, and research activities. With over 60,000 collections of books, library houses very good number of reference books, CD’s, Competitive examination books, Maps, Globes, Departmental Compendiums, Reports, Donated books and books available in Braille for the visually challenged students. In addition to this, library is equipped with  periodicals, and journals, e-journals of all available courses of the College, General magazines & over  newspapers.

UGC INFLIBNET’s N-LIST  is also subscribed to lend special support for research activities. Special Book Bank facility is given to SC/ST students, meritorious students, physically challenged, poor and needy students. Well -furnished Reading room, newspaper reading area, Internet surfing center are special features. In all weekdays, the library is open from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM and
Saturday 10.00 to 3.00 pm. The books for the students will be issued according
to the schedule. Automation of Library is initiated for complete management of library activities. The library works effectively in meeting the academic demands of the students. 

Preparedness of the HEI for the introduction of NEP 2020: Karnataka is the first state in the country to introduce NEP 2020. The institution has geared up for the introduction of NEP with full preparation and the faculty of the college have done excellent ground work by attending various workshops, seminars and conferences online and offline conducted on NEP 2021 by DCE and Bangalore University. Many faculty are on BOS of NEP syllabus also. The HEI has also organized several workshops and conferences (online and offline) for stakeholders on NEP 2021.UUCMS, Unified University and College Management System is also introduced and implemented. Online teaching which became the order of the day during the pandemic has transformed pedagogy towards online and blended learning which is a stepping stone to offer complete online education through MOOCs in future and distance education. Faculty have prepared four module LMS for old and new NEP 2021 curricula for the first semester.

        Under NEP, the HEI is offering holistic education through flexible and innovative curricula which has incorporated in it, the cocurricular, skill enhancement, extracurricular activities with value-based courses.

     National festivals and commemorative days are celebrated in full zeal with motivational, inspiring talks by eminent faculty of the institution and guest speakers on National leaders, their contribution to Indian Independence, Constitutional values along with talks and cultural programs by the students on the relevant themes of the festival which instills patriotism among the students with human values.

     Students are provided with various types of scholarship which they can make use of during their study. A committee dedicated to this orients the students to apply for scholarships. Office keeps the record of the same.

    A Career Guidance and Placement Cell is set up in the college to enable  and guide the students to choose the best careers and help them in getting good jobs. The cell conducts training and workshops both online and offline regularly. In addition to this, coaching for UPSC, KPSC, SSC, Banking and other competitive examinations are organized to the final year students of the college. In the ‘Job Mela’ organized in March 2020. 104 Companies & 3033 students had participated from across the state; 1307 students were shortlisted for varied jobs. Extracurricular activities are given utmost importance. Cultural committee conducts ‘Prathibhanveshane’ annually to hunt the hidden talent. Nearly 25 competitions are conducted and the students selected   are sent to participate in competitions conducted by other organizations throughout the year.

        Rangachiranthana – Theatre Club has been playing a pivotal role in creating awareness in gender, environment and contemporary issues through its productions. This activity demands integration of multiple talents and tasks, which exposes the students to tiered learning experience through practical and performance. A Certificate course and Diploma course in theatre arts, adds the dimension of professionalism. Most of its production has received accolades at State and National level; the students trained here are employed in media and as artists.

Being a government college, the institution gets all the benefits extended by DCE. Any communication with DCE is done through mails, WhatsApp groups, telegram groups dedicated for the purpose. Principal has constituted 70 committees to assist in the administration process of the college and students are also part of the governance.. The HEI adopted online mode for teaching, organizing programs during the pandemic which is being continued further. More than 35 online programs like International and national level FDPs, conferences and seminars were organized for students, faculty and community. The institution is proud that these programs attracted participants from various parts of the globe which reflects the quality of the program and resource persons. Online cultural competition was like national level dance competition was conducted by cultural committee. Few of the webinars were dedicated to create awareness on COVID-19 as it was extended to nonteaching staff, neighbours and general public. A unique seven days FDP on theatre activities was conducted by ‘Rangachiranthana’. Registered alumni association ‘Vijaya Vikasa’, an integral part of the institution is contributing greatly to the holistic development of the institution by organizing webinars, invited talks, raising and contributing donations.

The landmark events of the college in the past few years   

1. National level seminar on ‘Dynamics of Intellectual Property Rights’ conducted in March 2019 in association with VTPC, Government of Karnataka
2. National Level NAAC sponsored National seminar on ‘Academic and Administrative Audit-A Benchmark in Higher Education’ in September 2019
3. Dr S C Sharma, Honorable Director NAAC inaugurated the event and gave the key note address.
4. National level seven days FDP on ‘Environmental Justice and sustainable development was conducted in association with Kannada Hampi University and Navayana-Ambedkar Research Centre, Bengaluru.
5. Mega Job Mela (Maga Job Fair) conducted on 12th  March 2020 which attracted participants from all parts of the state
6. Series of International level, State level, national level webinars, online FDPs during the pandemic.
7. Completion of funded Major and Minor Research Projects
8. National level seminar on Transgensder in the year 2018 which is very unique and meaningful which helps in changing the mindset of many towards transgender community in a positive way.
9. LMS workshops in association with DCE
10. Series of workshops on NEP 2021 for stakeholders
11. COVID 19 vaccination drive

 A committed team of  non-teaching staff with gazetted manager as the head of the office staff is dedicated to effective implementation of the administration process.

          The college campus is lush green with well-maintained herbal garden. Ecofriendly practices like composting, mulching, reduction in plastic, ground water recharging etc., are followed. Green audit, environmental audit and energy audits are conducted. Plantation activity, greening and cleaning the campus is regularly conducted by NSS, NCC, YRC, Rangers and Rovers of the college. These activities are extended to outside as community service and inculcated values in the students towards nature and society. These students were actively involved in COVID Vaccination drives which has resulted in cent percent vaccination of the staff and more than 99% vaccination of students.

      A well-established distinctive and innovative practice of the institution is ‘Chethana’-Enabling Unit for physically challenged. It is the one and only unit among all the government colleges in Karnataka which is providing support facilities in the academic, co-curricular, extracurricular activities to differently abled/Divyangjan students, especially blind students. Add on courses on skill development, Yoga for health is being taught along with regular classes for visually impaired students.  It prepares and provides study material for Bangalore University curricula in the form of e-books, braille books, e-books for competitive examinations, personal care by the committed faculty which is reflected in the confidence built in the visually impaired students.  The support system-Chethana is contributing greatly to the placement of these students by training them in soft skills, life skills and many of our ‘Chethana, students are well placed in Central and State government offices, Corporates and Banks. They are now financially independent individuals taking good care of their family instead of being a burden. The HEI is very proud to have many ‘Chethana’ students and Chethana alumni who have won many National and International level awards in the fields of sports. 39 divyangjan students are on roll during the academic year 2021-22 pursuing degree in BA, B.Sc., B.Com and MA. ‘Chethana’ is a proud unit of the institution which is contributing to the needs of divyangjan students and preparing them to compete with the normal students and face the real-life challenges in future.

The Institution has successfully reoriented itself to be in pace with the global standards and to address the needs of changing pedagogy during the pandemic; its reputation for excellence is recognized at National and State levels. The Internal Quality Assurance Cell plays a pivotal role in steering the Institution towards progression. It evaluates and reorients the systems of the Institution in 360 degrees throughout the year.