NBA Accreditation: Why Does it Matter?

Authorized by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) is an autonomous body that aims to upgrade the standard of education for technical courses, hospitality, engineering, pharmacy, applied arts & crafts, and management programs in India. This assures quality and credibility for an educational institution. For students with an accredited degree, it opens door to better professional opportunities and jobs. And for institutions or courses, it’s a chance to seek autonomous status, grants, and funds from the government to enhance operational efficiency.

In India, there are different accreditation agencies, each following different guidelines and educational practices. NBA (National Board of Accreditation) is one of them.

Let’s understand what NBA accreditation is along with its benefits!

What is NBA Accreditation?

The National Board of Accreditation or NBA was established by the AICTE to evaluate the quality of educational programs offered by institutions, from diploma to post-graduate levels. It is a bit different from other accreditation bodies in India as it accredits courses or programs rather than institutes. NBA accredits technical programs, such as engineering & technology, pharmacy, management, architecture, and other related courses approved by AICTE.

In 2010, NBA was introduced as an autonomous body to assess and assure the quality, credibility, and relevancy of professional education courses through a meticulous accreditation process. It includes several criteria and parameters that are in line with international practices and focus on the outcomes of educational programs.

There is no denying that being certified is an honour for NBA accredited colleges. It is a badge that adds credit to an engineering program and sends out a message that it has been reviewed and approved by experts. Also, it assures students that the course meets premier quality standards.

Key Objectives of NBA Accreditation

• Promote innovative and holistic methods in technical education programs and other related disciplines.
• Assure strong academic background for students enrolled in National Board of Accreditation colleges and courses, boosting their career in IT, computer, and engineering fields.
• Offer required consultation and guidelines to improve educational courses.
• Provide feedback to higher educational institutions regarding areas that need improvement or development.
• Regular evaluation ensures that the training is based on norms, standards, and guidelines of the NBA.
• Develop a quality-conscious education system that is relevant to the latest market needs.
• Build an education culture that contributes to the national economy through regular social development.

Benefits of NBA Accreditation

1. Constant Quality Improvement
   The NBA accreditation process is meant to identify and bridge the teaching-learning gaps. This not only improves the overall performance but also maximizes the outcomes of learning programs. Institutions have constant motivation to initiate quality improvement activities and even faculty members participate in those programs. They get constant feedback to enhance their courses and achieve perfection.By the time HEIs receive their NBA ranking, they patch all the loops in terms of Program Specific Outcomes (PSOs), Course Outcomes (COs), Teaching-Learning Processes, Program Educational Objectives (PEOs), Assessment Methodologies, Program Curriculum, etc.
2. Improved Academic Performance
   With NBA accredited program, institutes witness improved student performance. Outcome-based education (OBE) approach is used to map and measure students’ progress, including their skills, knowledge, and attitudes throughout their academic journey. Additionally, NBA accreditation provides colleges with a high-end curriculum, industry professionals & experiences, and extraordinary lab facilities, which gives learners a great exposure to prepare for employment in the technical field.
3. Focus on Skills Development
   NBA prioritizes not only top-notch technical programs for students but also skill development and outcomes. The agency believes that additional skills lay a strong foundation for student education. Regular assessment and more opportunities support graduates to attain their goals in the best way possible. Furthermore, skill development improves student enrollment quantity and quality-wise along with the employability of graduates in the long run. Students who opt for the OBE model tend to become smarter and more qualified for employment opportunities.
4. College Autonomy
   Owning a Category 1 status is a major step for any educational institution. This badge by AICTE adds credibility to colleges and paves the way for more opportunities. When colleges fully comply without any irregularities, the number of Category 1 HEIs can spike. After getting NBA accredited, they can apply for and get autonomous status. They can work independently without support from a university, add new programs to their curriculum, increase foreign or local intakes of students, open research centres, partner with global schools, and offer research grants by themselves.
5. Easy Funding for Institutions
   Once institutes get NBA certification, they get on top of the list of funding agencies. It comes in handy when they want to expand the college, open a new research and development centre or improve their processes for students’ benefit. They can easily apply for and get grants to improve their financial health. Also, NBA accredited colleges are eligible to ask for various AICTE funds, such as MODROBS, R&D, and TAPTEC. Besides, they qualify to raise funds for their research projects from different government organizations, which include the Department of Science & Technology (DST), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Department of Non-conventional Energy Sources (DNES), The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), etc.
6. Socio-Economic Development
   NBA meticulously monitors, assesses, and works on all aspects of an entire educational program. The accredited colleges assure quality education programs, which society can rely on. Thus, adding trustworthiness and goodwill to their degrees. It creates a competitive environment where each student grows academically while honing their socio-economic skills at the national level. This delivers the best technical manpower that improves society as a whole.

Wrapping Up!

NBA certification matters so much, especially for the reputation of an institution. It provides flexibility to students to choose the best professional opportunity at a global level. With such great value to add to their reputation, most colleges now have NBA accreditation for their courses.

If you want any help with NBA accreditation, then connect with the CollPoll team now. Send us an email or call us and we will revert at the earliest.