Assessing NAAC readiness: a comprehensive self-assessment model for higher educational institutions

This study presents a comprehensive exploration of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) readiness of higher education institutions in India. The study identifies and classifies enablers, criteria, and attributes essential for judging NAAC preparedness through a careful investigation. Additionally, it uses this framework to assess the higher educational institution's readiness for NAAC accreditation, concluding that the case institution exhibits a moderate level of readiness. In the course of this evaluation, the study discovers a total of 49 weaker attributes, highlighting areas where the institution needs to improve. These findings are crucial because they provide the management of case educational institution with practical knowledge that they can use to prioritise and put into practice actions that will improve NAAC preparation. Leveraging multi-grade fuzzy and importance-performance analysis, this study provides a robust methodology for assessing readiness, which can be utilised by educational institutions to conduct periodic evaluations of their NAAC readiness or maintenance level. Ultimately, this research contributes not only to the understanding of NAAC readiness but also to the practical tools available for institutions seeking to uphold and improve their quality standards in the realm of higher education.