Gender Equality

Year: 2024

Have measurement or tracking of women’s likelihood of graduating compared to men’s, and schemes in place to close any gap.

Up to three points based on:

• Existence of measurement/tracking – one point
• Evidence provided – up to one point
• Is the evidence provided public – one point

At Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), gender equity is not just about access to education—it is about ensuring equal opportunity to succeed. MAHE systematically tracks and enhances women’s academic progression from admission to graduation using a comprehensive, data-driven approach that guarantees accountability and continuous improvement. Through the Student Life Cycle Management (SLCM) system, institutional data are collected, monitored, and analyzed to ensure equitable outcomes for all genders across the student lifecycle.

1. MAHE Admission and Graduation Tracking Framework

The Directorate of Admissions and the Registrar (Evaluation) jointly manage the Student Life Cycle Management (SLCM) software, which serves as the backbone of MAHE’s admission-to-graduation tracking framework. The SLCM platform tracks each student’s academic journey from application to graduation, providing gender-disaggregated insights to support evidence-based policy decisions.

Key functions of SLCM include:

• Collecting gender-segregated data for all applicants, admitted students, and graduates.
• Providing real-time dashboards for tracking application ratios, performance trends, and retention outcomes.
• Enabling early intervention for students at risk of dropout.
• Informing policy actions such as targeted mentoring, financial aid, and academic support for female students.

2. Supporting Equity Across the Student Lifecycle

Beyond numerical tracking, MAHE strengthens equity through continuous evaluation and targeted interventions:

• Periodic Evaluation and Gap Analysis: Annual reviews of women’s enrolment and graduation data help identify barriers and inform interventions to maintain parity
• Needs Assessment and Vulnerability Mapping: Institution-wide surveys detect challenges faced by students and help design support systems.
• School and Department-Level Monitoring: Each academic unit is responsible for gender-equity performance, ensuring accountability.
• Balanced Representation: Equal opportunities for leadership, research, and extracurricular participation are ensured across campuses.

3. Oversight and Policy Leadership

The Centre for Women’s Studies under the Manipal Centre for Humanities oversees MAHE’s gender-related data tracking, policy formulation, and research. Its core objectives include documenting women’s educational outcomes, advocating policy improvements, and ensuring equitable access to academic and leadership opportunities. The Centre acts as a hub for integrating gender awareness into institutional practice.

4. Graduation Tracking and Intervention Mechanism

Graduation outcomes are monitored by the Registrar (Evaluation) through SLCM analytics. Gender-based graduation data are extracted annually and reviewed during management meetings. If a decline is observed in female graduation percentages, an immediate management review is convened to:

• Identify causes of decline.
• Implement remedial strategies such as mentoring, tutoring, or need-based financial support.
• Monitor post-intervention improvements through follow-up reviews.

This proactive approach ensures every student, particularly women, receives the academic and institutional support needed to graduate successfully.

5. Graduation Performance (Academic Year 2023–24)

The 2023–24 data reaffirm MAHE’s commitment to academic excellence and inclusivity. Based on records from the Registrar (Evaluation), MAHE achieved an impressive overall graduation rate of 98.26%, sustaining the upward trajectory observed over the past five years. Gender-disaggregated analysis shows that women’s graduation rates remain on par with, or slightly higher than, male students—demonstrating the effectiveness of ongoing interventions and institutional equity practices.

Figure: MAHE Graduation Success Rate (2019–2024)
Source: Registrar (Evaluation), Student Life Cycle Management (SLCM) Data, MAHE 2024

This figure illustrates MAHE’s consistent improvement in graduation performance from 96.8% in 2019–20 to 98.26% in 2023–24. The steady upward trend highlights the institution’s evidence-based strategies to ensure academic success for all students. These achievements reflect the impact of comprehensive academic monitoring, targeted mentoring programs, and equitable learning opportunities. MAHE’s integrated SLCM platform, faculty engagement, and student-support policies have together created a resilient ecosystem for women’s success.

6. Translating Data into Institutional Action

Graduation analytics from the SLCM are discussed annually during the Curriculum Convention, where feedback from students, faculty, and parents helps shape subsequent strategies. Outcomes include:

• Launching tailored mentoring for at-risk students.
• Expanding scholarships and financial assistance for women.
• Faculty sensitization workshops on inclusive teaching.
• Strengthening advisory systems through enhanced teacher-guardian coordination.

7. Sustained Impact and Institutional Commitment

MAHE’s consistent graduation rate above 98% demonstrates its long-term success in fostering gender equity. The university’s data-driven governance and proactive mentorship approach have ensured equal outcomes for men and women alike. This performance reaffirms MAHE’s commitment to inclusive excellence and continuous quality enhancement in higher education.