Faculty Sufficiency in Qualifications and Size Policy

Purpose

At Yoga Veda Institute (YVI), we are committed to ensuring that our faculty members are both sufficiently qualified and numerically adequate to meet the educational needs of our programs. This policy outlines how we maintain a faculty that is large enough and well-qualified to deliver our Ayurvedic curriculum effectively, provide mentorship to students, and support the ongoing growth of the institution in alignment with Ayurvedic principles of balance and harmony.

Scope

This policy applies to all academic programs at YVI, including the Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC) and Ayurvedic Practitioner (AP) programs. It ensures that the size and qualifications of the faculty meet program objectives and provide a high-quality learning experience for students.

Faculty Qualifications

While faculty qualifications are outlined in the Faculty Qualifications Policy, this policy emphasizes the need for collective sufficiency in terms of qualifications. YVI ensures that:

  • Faculty members teaching Ayurvedic and non-Ayurvedic subjects collectively possess the expertise required to cover the breadth and depth of the program.
  • The qualifications of faculty members are balanced to ensure all critical areas of study are supported by knowledgeable and experienced instructors.

Faculty qualifications are monitored and documented through our digital Faculty Database, which houses the credentials and professional development records for each faculty member.

To ensure continuous improvement and alignment with educational standards:

  • During faculty members’ Annual Performance Evaluations, they are required to submit updated documentation of their qualifications, including proof of any new certifications, professional development activities, and continuing education.
  • As outlined in our Faculty Qualifications Policy, faculty members teaching Ayurvedic and non-Ayurvedic subjects must collectively demonstrate the breadth and depth of knowledge required to cover all areas of the program, ensuring all critical subjects are delivered by qualified instructors.

Faculty Size

YVI is dedicated to maintaining a faculty body that is numerically sufficient to:

  • Deliver the full scope of the curriculum, ensuring smooth course delivery without gaps in instruction.
  • Provide individualized student support, including mentorship and assessments.
  • Handle manageable class sizes and avoid overburdening any individual faculty member with excessive course loads.

To monitor this, our Learning Management System (LMS) tracks the student-to-faculty ratio. This system provides data on student enrollment and faculty availability, which we download and review annually, in accordance with our Institute of Excellence calendar. Adjustments to faculty size are made based on this review to ensure our program remains balanced and effective.

Faculty Workload Management

At YVI, we have designed our academic structure to support faculty workload and prevent overload:

  • Automated Assessment Tracking: Our Learning Management System automates the tracking and grading of multiple-choice midterm and final exams. This system reduces the administrative burden on faculty, allowing them to focus on meaningful student interaction and curriculum delivery rather than excessive grading and administrative tasks.
  • Workload Feedback: During their Annual Performance Evaluations, faculty members can provide feedback on their workload, course coverage, and interaction with students. This process ensures that any concerns about workload distribution are addressed and adjustments made if necessary to maintain balance.

Monitoring and Adjustments

YVI regularly assesses both the size and qualifications of the faculty in relation to enrollment trends, program needs, and institutional growth. Through ongoing monitoring, adjustments will be made to ensure the faculty body remains sufficient and qualified, aligning with our commitment to providing a balanced and high-quality Ayurvedic education.

This policy supports the continuous growth of our faculty, maintaining harmony between program demands and faculty resources while upholding the Ayurvedic values of balance, reflection, and development.