TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

Vel Tech High Tech Dr. Rangarajan Dr. Sakunthala Engineering College is committed to enabling students to pursue higher education and lifelong learning in reputed institutions in India and abroad. The Higher Education Policy provides a structured framework for awareness, counselling, mentoring, examination guidance, application support, scholarship awareness, alumni engagement and progression tracking.

The policy also recognizes the importance of celebrating and supporting students who progress to higher studies through a formal Bon Voyage initiative, which may include appreciation, pre-departure guidance, alumni engagement and documentation of higher education outcomes.

2. VISION

To create a supportive and informed higher education ecosystem that enables every student to identify suitable academic pathways, pursue advanced learning and achieve meaningful educational and professional progression.

3. MISSION

• Create awareness about postgraduate, doctoral, professional and international higher education opportunities.
• Provide mentoring and counselling for academic progression and career planning.
• Support students in understanding entrance examinations, applications, scholarships and admission processes.
• Facilitate interaction with alumni, universities, experts and higher education institutions.
• Recognize and support students progressing to higher education through Bon Voyage activities.

4. OBJECTIVES

• Increase student awareness and participation in higher education opportunities.
• Provide structured guidance for PG, Ph.D., professional and international programmes.
• Encourage participation in entrance examinations and competitive examinations relevant to higher studies.
• Create awareness about scholarships, fellowships, assistantships and financial support.
• Provide pre-departure guidance to students proceeding for higher education.
• Maintain reliable records of higher education progression and alumni outcomes.
• Strengthen institutional support through alumni and external academic networks.

5. SCOPE

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate students, alumni, faculty mentors, academic departments and institutional cells involved in higher education guidance, progression, counselling and Bon Voyage activities.

6. DEFINITIONS

7. POLICY STATEMENTS

• The Institution shall provide systematic guidance and counselling for higher education opportunities.
• Departments and institutional cells shall disseminate information on relevant programmes, entrance examinations, scholarships and fellowships.
• Students may be supported through mentoring, seminars, expert sessions, alumni interaction and application guidance.
• The Institution shall encourage students to pursue higher education in reputed national and international institutions.
• The Institution shall conduct Bon Voyage or equivalent appreciation activities for students progressing to higher studies, subject to institutional planning.
• Higher education progression data shall be documented and periodically reviewed for institutional improvement.

8. HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDANCE FRAMEWORK

1. Awareness and Orientation
2. Academic and Career Counselling
3. Programme and Institution Identification
4. Entrance Examination Guidance
5. Application and Documentation Support
6. Scholarship and Financial Aid Awareness
7. Admission and Pre-Departure Guidance
8. Bon Voyage and Recognition
9. Alumni Engagement and Progress Tracking

9. BON VOYAGE PROGRAMME

The Bon Voyage Programme is an institutional initiative organized to formally appreciate, encourage and bid farewell to students who proceed to higher education. It may be conducted as an independent programme or as part of an institutional higher education support activity.

9.1 Objectives of Bon Voyage

• Recognize students who have secured admission to higher education programmes.
• Motivate other students to pursue advanced studies.
• Provide pre-departure guidance and practical information.
• Strengthen alumni and institutional connections.
• Document higher education progression as an institutional outcome.

9.2 Suggested Bon Voyage Activities

• Formal appreciation and felicitation of students.
• Interaction with Principal, faculty, mentors and alumni.
• Pre-departure orientation and guidance.
• Information on academic preparedness, accommodation, travel, safety and responsible conduct.
• Sharing of student experiences and success stories.
• Maintaining a Bon Voyage register and photographic documentation.

10. PRE-DEPARTURE GUIDANCE

• Academic preparedness and programme expectations.
• Document readiness and admission-related records.
• Scholarship, funding and financial planning awareness.
• Accommodation, travel and local support awareness.
• Safety, responsible conduct and emergency contact awareness.
• Maintaining communication with the Institution and alumni network.

11. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

11.1 Principal / Institutional Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and institutional support.
• Approve major higher education and Bon Voyage initiatives.
• Review higher education progression outcomes.

11.2 Higher Education Guidance Cell

• Prepare annual action plans.
• Coordinate counselling, awareness and guidance activities.
• Maintain records and outcome data.
• Coordinate Bon Voyage activities.

11.3 Departments and Faculty Mentors

• Identify student aspirations and provide academic guidance.
• Share relevant opportunities and support application planning.
• Maintain communication with students progressing to higher studies.

11.4 Alumni

• Provide peer guidance and experiences.
• Support awareness and mentoring.
• Participate in Bon Voyage and higher education activities where possible.

11.5 Students

• Actively participate in guidance programmes.
• Provide accurate progression information.
• Maintain academic and professional integrity.

12. MONITORING AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

13. SDG MAPPING

• SDG 4 – Quality Education: Promoting access to advanced learning and lifelong education.
• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Enhancing employability through higher qualifications and skills.
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Improving access to information and opportunities for higher education.
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Alumni, university and institutional collaboration.

14. ALIGNMENT WITH HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY FRAMEWORKS

This policy supports institutional objectives related to student progression, career guidance, mentoring, student support and outcome documentation. It may be implemented in alignment with applicable AICTE, UGC, NBA, NAAC and other competent authority guidelines and institutional quality assurance practices, as amended from time to time.

15. REVIEW AND AMENDMENT

The policy shall be reviewed periodically, preferably once every three years or earlier when required due to changes in higher education systems, institutional priorities, regulatory requirements or student support needs. Amendments shall be approved by the competent institutional authority.

16. ANNEXURES

• Annexure I – Higher Education Guidance Activity Register
• Annexure II – Student Higher Education Progression Form
• Annexure III – Bon Voyage Programme Checklist
• Annexure IV – Bon Voyage Student Record Format
• Annexure V – Pre-Departure Guidance Checklist
• Annexure VI – Annual Higher Education Progression Report

SIGNATURE AND APPROVAL

This Higher Education Policy, including the Bon Voyage support initiative, is approved for implementation by the competent authority of the Institution.