DCI has made it mandatory for all its colleges to get the accreditation from NAAC. The DCI has also sent circulars to all its colleges asking them to come forward for the process of assessment and accreditation within the stipulated period.

DCI President Dr Anil Kohli said that this decision was taken in order to enhance the quality of dental educational institutions in the country. He said that there are about 268 dental colleges in India, of these, 43 colleges are in Karnataka. “Assessment process has already commenced. Around 10 dental colleges have been assessed by NAAC,” he said. The advantage of being assessed by NAAC, according to him, is that it will help the students to choose better colleges as each college would be awarded grades after the assessment.

The assessment is based on new methodology designed by NAAC, which includes seven assessment criteria.

They are: curricular aspects; teaching-learning and evaluation; research, consultancy and extension; infrastructure and learning; student support and progression; governance and leadership and innovative practices. Each criterion will have key aspects, and weightages are provided for each key aspect. The weightages varies for university, autonomous colleges and affiliated or constituent colleges. 

 At the end of the assessment, colleges would be awarded letter grade – A, B, C and D based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). The CGPA is based on four point scale. The colleges which are rated below or equal to 1.50 will be given ‘D’ grade meaning not accredited. The colleges rated anywhere from 1.51 to 2 will be awarded ‘C’ grade meaning the college is ‘satisfactory.’ If the colleges falls anywhere between 2.01 and 3 points then the college is considered ‘good.’ The colleges awarded above 3 points is considered to be ‘very good’ institution.

NAAC Director Prof V S Prasad said that assessment will be done for colleges which have completed five years since the time of establishment or with a record of at least 2 batches of students having completed their degree programmes. He also said that NAAC assessment will be considered as one of the parameters by DCI for enhancing the intake for various courses. “An Internal Quality Assurance Cell will be set up in each college with an objective to provide guidance on improving quality,” he said.

Some colleges like R V Dental College has already taken initiative by applying for assessment even before it was made mandatory by DCI. Principal of the college Dr Nagesh said that college has applied and NAAC have sent preliminary forms.

KLE Dental College Principal Dr Prakash S Tandur said that last year the college had applied for NAAC
accreditation but failed to satisfy the demands of the NAAC including infrastructure and faculty.