Research & Development

Vellalar College for Women (Autonomous), has Research and Development Committee for the last two decades with various nomenclature. The Committee is actively involved in various Research Programmes. Now, as per the guidelines of UGC, Vellalar College for Women reframed the committee with the nomenclature “Research & Development Cell (RDC)” which will enable the attainment of multidisciplinary / transdisciplinary and translational research.

Vision

To envision and to integrate a robust research policy with academics

Mission

To nurture academic excellence and to make the students partakers in the holistic development of the nation
To promote healthy research ambience for exchange of ideas and trends
To inspire and sustain a research culture among the faculty and the students
To pursue scholarly research activities with Quality, Integrity and Ethics

Governing Principles

To initiate and enhance research activities in the research centres of different disciplines
To identify the emerging trends in socio-economic fields for research initiatives
To conform to the professional ethics at every stage of research activities
To provide intellectual freedom and optimal infrastructural facilities to every research scholar
To strengthen the concept of ‘Field to World’ in research practices

Objectives of Research Policy

Inspiring research aptitude among the UG and PG students
Motivating and guiding the faculty and the scholars for writing research proposals and reports
Fostering better relations between teaching and research
Encouraging the researchers to focus on socially relevant issues in concurrence with human values
Promoting collaborative research work by networking with industries and reputed research organizations
Acquainting the researchers with organizations like UGC, ICSSR, ICMR, TNSCST, ICHR, ICPR, DST, DBT and BRNS
Actuating multidisciplinary research across Humanities and Sciences
Establishing connects with regional, national and global institutions
Extending towards consultancy and extension activities

Advocacy of Research

Research culture is promoted by providing N-LIST, EBSCO e-journals, INFLIBNET, DELNET and Eprints (Institutional Repository) through both physical and digital and discipline-oriented laboratories
Cash incentives are extended to the Principal Investigators of funded projects and to the scholars whose articles are published in peer-reviewed/Indexed Journals
Financial support is provided for organizing conferences/workshops on Research Methodology and Research Trends
Best Research awards are granted to the faculty from Arts and Science Streams

Research from Tertiary to Doctoral Programme

Research at UG and PG Levels

To develop creative and critical thinking even at the UG and PG levels, research integrant is included in the curriculum. Individual Research Projects and Group Research Projects are taken up by the students in the final year. Internship is also encouraged for hands-on experience. Submission of dissertation and viva-voce enhance the research aptitude.

M.Phil and Ph.D Programmes

Research Resource Centres are established on the premises which cater not only to the in-house scholars but are also extended to the scholars from semi-urban and rural areas. Financial support is provided to the researches on social issues of contemporary importance and for patenting their research findings. Research outputs beneficial to the downtrodden are recognized and cash awards are given. Publication in the refereed journals is made mandatory.

Minor and Major Research Projects

Sponsored/ Collaborative Research projects funded by Government and Corporate agencies are encouraged to enhance the professional expertise of the faculty and to upgrade infrastructure facilities. Pooling trend-based Research ideas happen across the disciplines and the follow-up discussion among the scholars serve as the beacon-light. Research projects create a win-win situation wherein the faculty researchers enhance themselves and contribute to the student community.

Research Funds

All researchers, teachers and scholars are encouraged to get funds from the national agencies. As a prelude to this, to enhance the research aptitude, the institution provides financial assistance for presenting / publishing papers in national and international seminars / journals across the country.

Research equipments are purchased as per the norms of sponsoring agencies and the Principal Investigator monitors the purchase and utilization. On the completion of the project, equipments purchased using research grants shall become the property of the institution.

Privileges and Responsibilities of the Research Scholar

Individual research scholars are free to choose the area for their research, to formulate their own hypotheses and to arrive at their own findings and conclusions. These findings are made available for scrutiny and criticism of peers, the faculty and the Research Forum.
It is insisted that Research techniques conform to the established professional ethics with regard to safety, privacy and personal rights of individuals or to the misuse of animals.
The dissertations and the thesis should include the copy of plagiarism check report.

Code of Ethics

The Institution is committed to integrity of inquiry and expression which by itself negates unethical practices.
Research Ethics Forum is (REF) constituted to monitor and direct genuine research practices.
The topic of research should be unique and value-based
The research work should continue throughout the stipulated period accompanied by field work.
Intellectual impropriety with regard to copyrighted materials is strictly forbidden.

Research Scholars’ Circle

To empower the research scholars to initiate research dialogue, Research Circle by the scholars, for the scholars is initiated. It comprises of Research Scholars and self-motivated PG students. The members regularly involve themselves in interacting with R&D organizations and research institutes. Fruitful deliberations by the peers on research issues empower them to take the right direction.

The research chapter is constantly in touch with the candidates with regard to the progress of their work, the funding resources available to them and expedite their submission in time. In the case of faculty scholars availing leave for completing their work, the institution in consultation with the HoD, make arrangements for substitute staff to carry out her academic responsibilities.

The research scholar is required

To participate in a conference and to present atleast one paper in a National or International conference
To publish two or three research articles in peer-reviewed journals
To organize research-oriented Programmes through the Circle
To crack the national level tests like NET, CSIR, JRF

Research Projects

The institution encourages all faculty members to complete their Ph.D and to take up Minor or Major Projects. The Research Conclave under the direction of the Principal makes all arrangements to identify and apply to the funding agencies concerned. To make the research environment conducive, the institution provides quintessential infrastructural facilities such as research halls, digital and physical libraries and laboratories.

MoUs

In view of research and outreach activities, the institution provides proactive encouragement towards collaborations with various international and National universities and institutes for signing MoUs or for negotiating tie-ups with industries or corporates.

Linkages

Linkages shall be established for channeling effective transfer of research strategies and activities at National and International Research institutes to enhance research aptitudes by generating new knowledge trends and to coordinate in terms of innovation and value creation.

Consultancy Services

Institutions with time-tested standing and experience extend their consultancy services to the upcoming institutions in terms of teaching-learning methodologies, research projects, infrastructural facilities and in equipping for accreditation. Consultancy is not only a moral responsibility but also facilitates transfer of knowledge. Terms and conditions are to be regularized for the consultant and the client. The institution encourages all the faculty to extend their expertise to the other institutions and industrial experts.

Revenue Sharing in Consultancy Services

In case of the consultant using the facilities available in the institution for offering theoretical or practical knowledge and skills, the revenue is shared in the ratio of 60:40 the former for the institution and the latter for the consultant.

Research Based Extension Services

Individual Social Responsibility(ISR) has become a watchword in today’s institutional scenario and our long-established institution carries forward its research-based experiences to the adopted villages. The core objective of this outreach programme – ANVEPS (Adoption of Nearby Villages for Educating and Providing Services) is to create awareness on health and hygiene, to extend digital literacy and to promote economic independence through awareness and training. This Programme indirectly injects into the students, social justice and responsibilities. This is a continuous mandatory programme for the UG students. The villages are earmarked for different disciplines and the Extension Services Cell makes prior arrangements for the services to be offered and the specific areas in which training is to be offered.

ANVEPS focuses on Literacy for elders and women, tailoring, transactions in the bank and training for self –help groups to make eco-friendly products and simultaneously functioning as a bridge between villages and government / NGO agencies.

In-House Publications

In-House Newsletters and Journals encourage and strengthen creative and critical thinking of the students and scholars. This institution has multi-disciplinary Newsletters and Journals titled ScieXplore, FoodSci and HuSS. There is also a proposal to upgrade them into UGC-recognized journals.

Research Committee Members

The Research Governance of Vellalar College for Women forms a Research Advisory Council (RAC) headed by the Dr. S. K. Jayanthi, Principal. Dr. J. Indira, Assistant Professor of Chemistry is acting as Director (Convenor) of Research and Development Cell nominated by the Principal. RDC of Vellalar College for Women comprises five committees to smoothen its functioning with respective committee members nominated by the Director – RDC (Convenor) and approved by RAC. The organisational structure and functions of RDC of Vellalar College for Women are as follows:

Finance and Infrastructure Committee

MEMBERS:

Dr. R. Parvathi, Associate Professor & Head, Mathematics

Dr. C. Brundha, Assistant Professor, Commerce

Ms. L. Vijayalakshmi, Office Superintendent

Mr. D. Sathish, Record Clerk

Research Program, Policy Development Committee

MEMBERS:

Dr. V. Sreeja, Associate Professor, Chemistry

Dr. S. Jothimani, Assistant Professor, History

Dr. P. Indumathy, Associate Professor & Head, Foods and Nutrition

Dr. P. Seethalaxmi, Assistant Professor, English

Collaboration & Community Committee

MEMBERS:

Dr. S.K. Kavitha, Assistant Professor, Chemistry

Dr. M. Sangeetha, Assistant Professor, Zoology

Dr. K.K. Myithili, Associate Professor & Head, Mathematics

Dr. S. Brindha, Assistant Professor, Computer Applications

Product Development, Monitoring and Commercialization Committee

MEMBERS:

Dr. S. Sharmila, Assistant Professor, Botany

Dr. V. Krithika, Assistant Professor, Nutrition & Dietetics

Dr. K. Kavitha, Assistant Professor, Foods and Nutrition

Dr.N.Radhika, Associate Professor & Head, B.Voc (Fashion and Boutique Management)

IPR, Legal & Ethical Matters Committee

MEMBERS:

Dr. E.S. Samundeeswari, Associate Professor, Computer Science

Dr. R. Bhuvaneswari, Assistant Professor, Physics

Dr. M. Jothi, Assistant Professor, Physics

Dr. S. Muthuvennila, Assistant Professor, Library and Information Science