About DBT Star College Scheme

ABOUT THE SCHEME:

STAR College Scheme is a unique programme sponsored by Department of Biotechnology (DBT); Government of India, Ministry of Science and Technology, INDIA to improve the quality of science education at undergraduate level by emphasizing on enquiry based learning and nurturing the aptitude for research. The Department of Biotechnology has launched Star College Scheme with an aim to strengthen life science and biotechnology education and training at undergraduate level. There are 2 components of the Star College Scheme: Strengthening component and Star component. The initial support under the Star College Scheme is for duration of 3 years under the Strengthening component, subject to fulfilment of the terms and conditions. Thereafter, the progress of the College is evaluated by a Task Force / Expert Committee constituted by DBT. If the progress of the College is found to be satisfactory, the College is accorded ‘Star status’. A College which has been accorded ‘Star status’ may be supported for another duration of 3 years.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STAR COLLEGE SCHEME:

To strengthen the academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and training.

To enhance the quality of the learning and teaching process to stimulate original thinking through ‘hands–on’ exposure to  experimental work and participation in summer schools.

To promote networking and strengthen ties  with neighbouring institutions and other laboratories

To conduct specialized training programmes for faculty improvement for optimizing technical capabilities

To increase capabilities of core instrumentation resources by procuring new equipment and upgrading of existing facilities

To provide access and exposure to students to research laboratories and industries in the country

To help in devising standard curricula and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) / kits for practicals

To provide better library facility to students and teachers

OUR QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE:

DBT has identified colleges with ambition and potential for excellence and provide academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and unique exposure of students to experimental science. Mahatma Phule Arts, Science and Commerce College Panvel is selected under this STAR College Scheme of DBT in the year 2022. It is indeed proud to mention that, our college is the first College in the Raigad/Konkan region of the University of Mumbai and state of Maharashtra to receive this honor. The college has received the sanction letter of Rs. 63 Lakhs grant under Strengthening Component of Star College Scheme from Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. Under the scheme, the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Zoology of the college has received grant of Rs. 41 Lakhs for the academic year 2022-23. Various activities proposed under the scheme will be organized for undergraduate students and faculty under this scheme which includes, new experiments, minor research projects, competitions, guest/expert lectures, fculty development/training programmes and outreach programmes. The scheme has strengthened our quest for excellence and will surely help in quality enhancement & its sustenance.

PLAN OF ACTION FOR EXECUTION OF THE SCHEME:

Undergraduate students will be enriched in their specific areas of science through hands-on experience of sophisticated instruments and learning advanced techniques in scientific experimentation by means of new experiments. Further, the nurturing of aptitude for research amongst the undergraduate students will be achieved through Minor Research Projects. One of the hallmarks of the programme is the interdisciplinary nature of experiments, projects and activities to be conducted, where there are no virtual boundaries between chemical, biological and physical sciences. The students will get opportunity to participate in different interdisciplinary events like competitions, guest/expert lecture and Outreach Programmes conducted under this scheme. This scheme enables the teachers to explore areas outside the prescribed syllabus and to implement novel and interesting experiments in teaching the regular Science curriculum. Also teaching as well as non-teaching staff will be trained through seminars, conferences, Faculty Development/Training Programmes under this scheme. The College has already made elaborated plans to augment the Star College programme from the academic year 2022-23. In addition to acquiring new sophisticated equipment, the College has plans to multiply several of its facilities to increase the number of beneficiaries of this scheme. For smooth, transparent and time-bound execution of the scheme, the college has formed Advisory committee as per the guidelines.

DBT ADVISORY COMMITTEE