N.K.T. National College Of Education For Women: Pioneering New Dimensions to Teacher Education & Empowerment of Women Educators
Dr. S. Chamundeswari, Principal, N.K.T. National College Of Education For Women
Higher Education institutions are crucial in promoting academic and research exCellence in education through an inclusive approach. Acting as catalysts, they promote competency-based education incorporating innovative teaching methods, critical thinking and research skills, thereby equipping students for evolving global challenges. Fostering prime values like integrity, responsibility, collaboration, humanitarianism, etc., Teacher Education Institutions such as N.K.T. National College of Education for Women endeavour to transform students into well-informed and socially responsible global educators, playing a key role in human resource development to meet the evolutionary and dynamic challenges at the global level.
Comprehensive Academic Programmes in Teacher Education
N.K.T. National College of Education for Women, which was established in the year 1966 by Sriman N.K. Thirumalachariar, a visionary and philanthropist, is situated at the heart of Chennai city in an area of 3.06 acres, where a model school is also attached. Over the years, it has metamorphosed into a well-established urban College catering to the educational needs of women from all sections of society, thereby empowering young women students to face life and its multifarious challenges at both personal and professional levels.
The College offers Graduate, Post Graduate, and Research Programmes in Education with Autonomous Status granted by the University Grants Commission in the year 1988, and has grown to greater heights as an Institution of Higher Learning in Teacher Education. In its continuous striving for exCellence over decades, the Institution has been successful in achieving the position ‘Second to None’, and has been upgrading its curricula and pedagogies on par with the global standards. It has also fallen in line with NAAC Peer Team Evaluation and it was awarded the Five-Star status in the First Cycle, A Grade in the Second Cycle, and reaccredited at A+ Grade in the Third Cycle.
Among the Colleges of Education in the State of Tamil Nadu, N.K.T. National College of Education for Women is one of the very few Institutions offering a B.Ed. in Special Education (Visual Impairment) Programme in an inclusive set-up with adequate facilities that prepare students to acquire knowledge and develop competencies to impart education to both special and general students with the choice to be placed either in General or Special Schools. Thus, the College is affiliated to Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University, Chennai; it is also recognized by both the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), New Delhi.
Founded with the mission to empower women educators to face the multifaceted challenges of personal and professional life, the College is governed by philanthropic Management, Sriman N.K. Thirumalachariar National Education Society, headed by Dr. S. Mano Bakthavatchalam, President, Padma Bhushan Dr. A. Sivadhanu Pillai, Vice-President and Dr. M. Arumugam, Secretary and other eminent Committee Members.
"N.K.T. National College of Education for Women empowers educators, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in education and thereby transforming students into global educators"
The College is headed by the Principal, Dr. S. Chamundeswari, the recipient of Best Principal Award from the Society for Educational and Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) and has 42 Teaching Faculty members and 27 Support Staff along with Dr. N. Kalai Arasi and Dr. S. Malathi, Emeritus Professors, Dr. V. Jayashree Priyadharsini, Dean of Academics, Mrs. A.H. Komala, Controller of Examinations and Mrs. T. Anitha Devi, IQAC Member Coordinator.
Empowering Future Women Educators
The Founder, Sriman N.K. Thirumalachariar, believed deeply in the transformative power of education, particularly for women. His passion for education led him to establish the N.K.T. National Girls’ Higher Secondary School, which eventually paved the way for the founding of the N.K.T. National College of Education for Women in 1966, which strives to empower women teachers-to-be with the knowledge, skills, and resilience to meet various challenges. His philosophy of love, service, sacrifice, charity, and piety remains embedded in the institution's values, guiding its mission and vision.
In achieving the Vision and Value Framework set by the Institutional maestros like the revered Founder Patron, Shri C.R. Pattabhi Raman and Former President of the Society, Padma Bhushan Dr. Sarojini Varadappan, the College focuses on preparing professionally competent and reflective educators by providing a competency-based pre-service teacher education Programme that integrates traditional and innovative teaching methods with technology.
Dr. M. Arumugam, Secretary of Sriman N.K. Thirum¬alachariar National Education Society and N.K.T. National College of Education for Women, states, “The College, be¬ing ISO 9001:2015 Certified, focuses on instilling an Indian value system in students through education, aiming for the development of an integrated and socially responsible per¬sonality that aligns with global standards.” Accordingly, the College operates within a robust value framework designed to foster a quest for knowledge and exCellence, providing new dimensions to teaching and learning, thereby contrib¬uting to the growth and development of India with realistic optimism.
The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) plays a pivotal role in monitoring and enhancing the quality of every academic Programme, ensuring they adhere to the highest standards. It analyses the feedback of all stakeholders and drafts the academic report for enhancement and reaching the pinnacle of exCellence. This focus on quality is part of the College's broader mission to contribute to nation-building by fostering social change and nurturing socially responsible educators.
The Principal of the College, Dr. S. Chamundeswari says, “Our Institution is dedicated to inculcating core values such as dignity, integrity, fairness, responsibility, and teamwork, while also fostering critical thinking, effective communication, creativity, and cultural awareness. Additionally, our College emphasizes values like gender equality, human rights, and ecological awareness to mould socially responsible citizens who can serve as global educators.” She adds that the prominence of the Institution is realized in the recognition of excellence attained by the College, Principal and Faculty members.
Today, with close to 600 students enrolled in various Programmes, the College remains committed to its goal of empowering women through education, ensuring they are well-prepared to face the dynamic challenges of the educational sector. With a strong foundation, an autonomous status, and a focus on continuous improvement, N.K.T. National College of Education for Women continues to inspire and prepare the next generation of educators who are ready to make a difference in the world.
Fostering Holistic Development
Providing an integrated educational environment that nurtures both aspiring educators and students, the College provides holistic development for future educators through practical teaching experiences. In order to achieve its objectives, the College functions through the Governing 5 Statutory Bodies, 21 Non-Statutory Bodies, and Functional Bodies namely, 4 Cells, 5 Clubs, 6 centers, 2 Associations, 5 Teams and Sri Andal Vocational Training Centre for serving the needy women of the neighbouring community.
The 4 Cells of the College, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, the Guidance & Counseling Cell, the Grievance & Redressal Cell, and the Placement Cell strive incessantly through meticulous planning and implementation of strategies for the holistic development of students, which leap distant strides. Similarly, the Clubs of the College, a place to contemplate and live life, provide opportunities for academic enrichment and life lessons drenched with morals and ethics. The College works strenuously for excellence in research, outreach activities, fitness, art, and skill development through its various Centers providing varied exposure and experiences to students. Together with 5 Teams and 2 Associations, namely Alumni and PTA, the College sketches the progress of its primary stakeholders for reaching global standards.
Achieving significant milestones in its pursuit of academic and research excellence, the College treads forth laudably offering choice-based Value-Added Certificate Courses, too, in addition to the prescribed courses and other engagement with the field through various Knowledge sharing Partners. These skill-based courses, which sculpt students for a better tomorrow and futuristic educational scenario, are offered across all four semesters. Furthermore, the students are guided through the path of self-learning kindling a dire desire for academic excellence, skill development, and amiable personality.
Highlights of the Institutional Best Practices
Over the last five decades, the College has implemented a variety of Best Practices to advance holistic and multidisciplinary education. Key initiatives include a Student Exchange Programme for integrated learning and assessment of students' entry-level behavior to track their development. The College promotes continuous assessment through the semesterization of practical exams and internal evaluations. Its 14 Institutional Policy Guidelines streamline operations, while the Forum for Strategies and Operations Planning enhances Faculty competency.
The Centre of Excellence empowers Faculty, staff, and students, and the Centre for Outreach focuses on instilling societal awareness, thereby becoming the receiver of Green Institute Development Award 2020 from the Rotary Club of Chennai IT City. Departmental libraries offer easy access to resources, and a Choice-Based Credit System through institutional clustering allows students course flexibility. Strong connections with the Parent-Teacher and Alumni Associations promote quality and affordability, while partnerships with institutions in India and abroad foster research excellence. The College maintains transparency through periodic audits and evaluations and supports inclusivity with academic and financial facilities. Finally, continuous professional development opportunities ensure staff motivation and retention, while outcome-based education is prioritized through the mapping of Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) and Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs).
In conclusion, the Principal, Dr. S. Chamundeswari shares, “N.K.T. National College of Education for Women has evolved into a prominent institution for teacher education, continually enhancing our academic offerings, fostering inclusive education, and achieving global standards through autonomy. Our commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and innovation ensures we remain a leader in shaping future educators and advancing educational standards. The legacy of the Institution transferred by the Former Secretaries and Principals is being carried forward only with the incessant, incredible support of the Management, Sriman N.K. Thirumalachariar National Education Society, Educational Higher Bodies, dedicated Faculty members, untiring non-teaching staff, vibrant students, parents, alumni and all stakeholders".
Comprehensive Academic Programmes in Teacher Education
N.K.T. National College of Education for Women, which was established in the year 1966 by Sriman N.K. Thirumalachariar, a visionary and philanthropist, is situated at the heart of Chennai city in an area of 3.06 acres, where a model school is also attached. Over the years, it has metamorphosed into a well-established urban College catering to the educational needs of women from all sections of society, thereby empowering young women students to face life and its multifarious challenges at both personal and professional levels.
The College offers Graduate, Post Graduate, and Research Programmes in Education with Autonomous Status granted by the University Grants Commission in the year 1988, and has grown to greater heights as an Institution of Higher Learning in Teacher Education. In its continuous striving for exCellence over decades, the Institution has been successful in achieving the position ‘Second to None’, and has been upgrading its curricula and pedagogies on par with the global standards. It has also fallen in line with NAAC Peer Team Evaluation and it was awarded the Five-Star status in the First Cycle, A Grade in the Second Cycle, and reaccredited at A+ Grade in the Third Cycle.
Among the Colleges of Education in the State of Tamil Nadu, N.K.T. National College of Education for Women is one of the very few Institutions offering a B.Ed. in Special Education (Visual Impairment) Programme in an inclusive set-up with adequate facilities that prepare students to acquire knowledge and develop competencies to impart education to both special and general students with the choice to be placed either in General or Special Schools. Thus, the College is affiliated to Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University, Chennai; it is also recognized by both the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), New Delhi.
Founded with the mission to empower women educators to face the multifaceted challenges of personal and professional life, the College is governed by philanthropic Management, Sriman N.K. Thirumalachariar National Education Society, headed by Dr. S. Mano Bakthavatchalam, President, Padma Bhushan Dr. A. Sivadhanu Pillai, Vice-President and Dr. M. Arumugam, Secretary and other eminent Committee Members.
"N.K.T. National College of Education for Women empowers educators, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in education and thereby transforming students into global educators"
The College is headed by the Principal, Dr. S. Chamundeswari, the recipient of Best Principal Award from the Society for Educational and Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) and has 42 Teaching Faculty members and 27 Support Staff along with Dr. N. Kalai Arasi and Dr. S. Malathi, Emeritus Professors, Dr. V. Jayashree Priyadharsini, Dean of Academics, Mrs. A.H. Komala, Controller of Examinations and Mrs. T. Anitha Devi, IQAC Member Coordinator.
Empowering Future Women Educators
The Founder, Sriman N.K. Thirumalachariar, believed deeply in the transformative power of education, particularly for women. His passion for education led him to establish the N.K.T. National Girls’ Higher Secondary School, which eventually paved the way for the founding of the N.K.T. National College of Education for Women in 1966, which strives to empower women teachers-to-be with the knowledge, skills, and resilience to meet various challenges. His philosophy of love, service, sacrifice, charity, and piety remains embedded in the institution's values, guiding its mission and vision.
In achieving the Vision and Value Framework set by the Institutional maestros like the revered Founder Patron, Shri C.R. Pattabhi Raman and Former President of the Society, Padma Bhushan Dr. Sarojini Varadappan, the College focuses on preparing professionally competent and reflective educators by providing a competency-based pre-service teacher education Programme that integrates traditional and innovative teaching methods with technology.
Dr. M. Arumugam, Secretary of Sriman N.K. Thirum¬alachariar National Education Society and N.K.T. National College of Education for Women, states, “The College, be¬ing ISO 9001:2015 Certified, focuses on instilling an Indian value system in students through education, aiming for the development of an integrated and socially responsible per¬sonality that aligns with global standards.” Accordingly, the College operates within a robust value framework designed to foster a quest for knowledge and exCellence, providing new dimensions to teaching and learning, thereby contrib¬uting to the growth and development of India with realistic optimism.
The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) plays a pivotal role in monitoring and enhancing the quality of every academic Programme, ensuring they adhere to the highest standards. It analyses the feedback of all stakeholders and drafts the academic report for enhancement and reaching the pinnacle of exCellence. This focus on quality is part of the College's broader mission to contribute to nation-building by fostering social change and nurturing socially responsible educators.
The Principal of the College, Dr. S. Chamundeswari says, “Our Institution is dedicated to inculcating core values such as dignity, integrity, fairness, responsibility, and teamwork, while also fostering critical thinking, effective communication, creativity, and cultural awareness. Additionally, our College emphasizes values like gender equality, human rights, and ecological awareness to mould socially responsible citizens who can serve as global educators.” She adds that the prominence of the Institution is realized in the recognition of excellence attained by the College, Principal and Faculty members.
Today, with close to 600 students enrolled in various Programmes, the College remains committed to its goal of empowering women through education, ensuring they are well-prepared to face the dynamic challenges of the educational sector. With a strong foundation, an autonomous status, and a focus on continuous improvement, N.K.T. National College of Education for Women continues to inspire and prepare the next generation of educators who are ready to make a difference in the world.
Fostering Holistic Development
Providing an integrated educational environment that nurtures both aspiring educators and students, the College provides holistic development for future educators through practical teaching experiences. In order to achieve its objectives, the College functions through the Governing 5 Statutory Bodies, 21 Non-Statutory Bodies, and Functional Bodies namely, 4 Cells, 5 Clubs, 6 centers, 2 Associations, 5 Teams and Sri Andal Vocational Training Centre for serving the needy women of the neighbouring community.
The 4 Cells of the College, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, the Guidance & Counseling Cell, the Grievance & Redressal Cell, and the Placement Cell strive incessantly through meticulous planning and implementation of strategies for the holistic development of students, which leap distant strides. Similarly, the Clubs of the College, a place to contemplate and live life, provide opportunities for academic enrichment and life lessons drenched with morals and ethics. The College works strenuously for excellence in research, outreach activities, fitness, art, and skill development through its various Centers providing varied exposure and experiences to students. Together with 5 Teams and 2 Associations, namely Alumni and PTA, the College sketches the progress of its primary stakeholders for reaching global standards.
Achieving significant milestones in its pursuit of academic and research excellence, the College treads forth laudably offering choice-based Value-Added Certificate Courses, too, in addition to the prescribed courses and other engagement with the field through various Knowledge sharing Partners. These skill-based courses, which sculpt students for a better tomorrow and futuristic educational scenario, are offered across all four semesters. Furthermore, the students are guided through the path of self-learning kindling a dire desire for academic excellence, skill development, and amiable personality.
Highlights of the Institutional Best Practices
Over the last five decades, the College has implemented a variety of Best Practices to advance holistic and multidisciplinary education. Key initiatives include a Student Exchange Programme for integrated learning and assessment of students' entry-level behavior to track their development. The College promotes continuous assessment through the semesterization of practical exams and internal evaluations. Its 14 Institutional Policy Guidelines streamline operations, while the Forum for Strategies and Operations Planning enhances Faculty competency.
The Centre of Excellence empowers Faculty, staff, and students, and the Centre for Outreach focuses on instilling societal awareness, thereby becoming the receiver of Green Institute Development Award 2020 from the Rotary Club of Chennai IT City. Departmental libraries offer easy access to resources, and a Choice-Based Credit System through institutional clustering allows students course flexibility. Strong connections with the Parent-Teacher and Alumni Associations promote quality and affordability, while partnerships with institutions in India and abroad foster research excellence. The College maintains transparency through periodic audits and evaluations and supports inclusivity with academic and financial facilities. Finally, continuous professional development opportunities ensure staff motivation and retention, while outcome-based education is prioritized through the mapping of Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) and Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs).
In conclusion, the Principal, Dr. S. Chamundeswari shares, “N.K.T. National College of Education for Women has evolved into a prominent institution for teacher education, continually enhancing our academic offerings, fostering inclusive education, and achieving global standards through autonomy. Our commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and innovation ensures we remain a leader in shaping future educators and advancing educational standards. The legacy of the Institution transferred by the Former Secretaries and Principals is being carried forward only with the incessant, incredible support of the Management, Sriman N.K. Thirumalachariar National Education Society, Educational Higher Bodies, dedicated Faculty members, untiring non-teaching staff, vibrant students, parents, alumni and all stakeholders".
