DOCUMENT CONTROL AND INDEX

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION, PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1. INTRODUCTION

Vel Tech High Tech Dr.Rangarajan Dr.Sakunthala Engineering College is committed to transparent, responsible and continuously improving institutional practice. This Academic Audit Policy establishes the framework to establish systematic internal and external academic audits for evaluating curriculum delivery, outcome-based education, assessment practices, academic records and continuous improvement.

2. PURPOSE

To establish systematic internal and external academic audits for evaluating curriculum delivery, outcome-based education, assessment practices, academic records and continuous improvement.

3. SCOPE

All academic departments, programmes, centres, laboratories, faculty members and academic-support units.

OBJECTIVES

4. OBJECTIVES

• Verify compliance with approved academic regulations, calendars and quality benchmarks.
• Review the effectiveness of teaching, learning, assessment and OBE practices.
• Identify strengths, risks, gaps and good practices through evidence-based review.
• Ensure timely corrective and preventive action with documented closure.
• Support accreditation, autonomous governance and institutional improvement.

POLICY FRAMEWORK

5. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. Audit shall be developmental, objective, evidence-based and free from personal bias.
2. Auditors shall protect confidential information and disclose conflicts of interest.
3. Findings shall distinguish non-compliance, observation, risk and good practice.
4. Departments shall receive reasonable opportunity to clarify and submit evidence.
5. Repeated observations and high-risk findings shall receive priority escalation.

6. GENERAL POLICY COMMITMENT

The Institution shall implement this policy through approved roles, adequate resources, documented procedures, transparent communication and measurable review. Decisions and exceptions shall be recorded and authorized by the competent authority.

POLICY PROVISIONS

7.1 IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

1. IQAC shall issue an annual academic audit calendar approved by the Principal.
2. Internal academic audit shall normally be conducted at least once in each semester or as approved.
3. External academic audit may be conducted periodically using qualified academic or accreditation experts.
4. Audit scope shall include course files, lesson plans, syllabus coverage, attendance, assessments, CO-PO/PSO mapping and attainment.
5. Student support, mentoring, remedial actions, advanced-learner initiatives and feedback closure shall be reviewed.

POLICY PROVISIONS — CONTINUED

7.2 IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

6. Laboratory records, calibration, safety, project work, internships and experiential learning shall form part of the audit where applicable.
7. The audit team shall issue a report with evidence, classification, responsibility and target date.
8. HODs shall submit action-taken reports and closure evidence through the approved system.
9. IQAC shall verify closure and place major findings before the Principal or competent committee.
10. Good practices identified during audit shall be documented and shared for institutional adoption.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

8. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Principal approves the audit plan and ensures institutional support.
• IQAC coordinates auditors, formats, schedules, reports and closure monitoring.
• Dean Academics provides academic regulations, benchmarks and follow-up support.
• HODs ensure records, cooperation, corrective action and authentic evidence.
• Auditors conduct impartial review and maintain confidentiality.

IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE

9. IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE

1. Approve audit calendar, scope, checklist and audit team.
2. Notify departments and collect pre-audit information.
3. Conduct document review, interaction and sample verification.
4. Hold closing meeting and communicate preliminary observations.
5. Issue final report and receive action-taken report.
6. Verify closure and escalate overdue or repeated findings.

RECORDS AND COMPLIANCE

10. RECORDS AND EVIDENCE

• Approved audit calendar and checklists
• Auditor nomination and conflict declarations
• Department audit reports
• Action-taken and closure evidence
• Consolidated institutional audit analysis

11. MONITORING INDICATORS

• Audit completion rate
• Percentage of findings closed on time
• Repeat-observation rate
• Improvement in OBE and academic record compliance
• Number of good practices adopted

12. CONFIDENTIALITY, RETENTION AND ACCESS

Records shall be accurate, retrievable and protected against unauthorized alteration, disclosure or destruction. Access shall be role-based and limited to legitimate institutional need. Retention and disposal shall follow the approved schedule and applicable requirements.

13. NON-COMPLIANCE

Non-compliance may result in corrective action, withdrawal of access or benefit, recovery of loss, disciplinary action, referral to a statutory body or other proportionate action after due process.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL

14. REVIEW AND AMENDMENT

The policy owner shall review this document at the stated cycle or earlier due to changes in law, regulation, institutional structure, technology, risk, audit findings or stakeholder requirements. Amendments shall take effect only after approval and version control.

15. REFERENCES

• Applicable autonomous academic regulations and Anna University requirements
• NAAC/NBA quality assurance expectations, as applicable

16. APPROVAL AND SIGNATURES

This is a controlled institutional document. Printed copies are uncontrolled unless specifically stamped and issued by the authorized office.