Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (PMD)

Upgraded equipment for science, ACCA integration for commerce and new journalism course for humanity

Mangaluru, Feb 10: Adding a new feather in its cap, St Agnes College (Autonomous), which received it's autonomy in 2007, has now been given the status of 'College of Excellence' by the University Grant Commission.

"This status was granted to the college on February 8, outdoing itself in its annual evaluation of the past and the present. The college received a cumulative of Rs 1.5 crore grant under the previous status. Under the new status, an addition of Rs 0.5 crore will be granted to upgrade academic facilities," said principal of the college, Sr Dr Jeswina, in a press meet at the college premises here on Friday, February 9.

The college was awarded the status of 'College with Potential for Excellence' by the UGC in 2006. The fourth cycle of accreditation by NAAC is due in the first week of March this year.

"The college which will celebrate its centenary in 2021, is the first in Mangalore University, the third in state and 18th in the country to receive this status by the UGC. The other two in the state are St Joseph's College and Sophia's College, Bengaluru."

The institute will work towards elevating the quality of education. The amount we receive will be utilized under four heads- Agnes Ignite centre, Agnes Research Centre, Agnes Towards Community and Agnes Women's Centre," Sr Dr Jeswina further added.

Ignite Centre

"This is dedicated to educate staff and students and introduce them to the ITC model of teaching. A digital library will be introduced. Seminars, conference for staff and students. Latest software will be introduced to students," she said.

Agnes Research Centre

It was recognised by the Mangalore University in 2007 post graduate courses. All graduation courses and PhD fall in the ambit of the centre. Minor and major research is being done in the centre. The rightship is yet to be received.

Towards Community

Helps apply the theory in the real world for students. It also creates awareness through social work. Agnes has a tie-up with CODP. It's also called the ATC for the past three years.

Women's Centre

School dropouts and economically disadvantaged women are catered to here by teaching them culinary skills, fashion designing and basic computer skills.

"St Agnes College is recognised as a landmark of quality education. The grant from the status is given to improve the quality of education, and not for infrastructure. The process will include upgradation of lab equipment and instruments, a digital library, and training both for teachers and students, among others," said Dr Deviprabha, HoD of commerce.

"BCom is integrated with Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, by Royal Charter, UK which makes it a CA course of international standard. Under humanities, we will introduce a journalism course," she said.

Vice principal Sr Dr Venessa, Dr Noeline J Pinto, HOD of Botany, and registrar of examination Charles Pais, were also present at the meet.

On the Verge of Centenary

St Agnes College (Autonomous) is a premier Catholic educational institution founded on July 2, 1921 by the great visionary Mother Mary Aloysia, the second superior general of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation who was a recipient of Kaiser-i-Hind Gold Medal of the First Class (1929), for her contribution in the field of women’s education. The institution she founded was the first women’s college on the west coast of India and the first under private management in the whole country.

It is also the first college under private management in the whole country. Though a minority institution, it has held open the door of opportunity to individuals irrespective of caste, creed or economic status.

From its inception, the institution took the cause of women’s education as a providentially-ordained mission and imparted higher education to women not merely of south India but also far away places in the country. However, beginning with its foray into post-graduate education in 2008, it has also welcomed male students to its PG programmes.

Among its other institutional ‘firsts’ was its voluntarily submission to the NAAC Accreditation process in 1999, the first college in Mangalore University to do so. In the first cycle of accreditation, the college had the honour of being awarded a ‘Five Star’ status. Re-accreditations in 2005 and 2012, saw its banner flying high with an A grade in both instances. It was also one of the first colleges in Mangalore University to be recognized as a ‘College with a Potential for Excellence’ by the UGC in 2006. Further, the institution was the proud recipient of the International ‘Jimmy and Roselyn Carter Foundation Partnership Award’ for its pathbreaking project in rainwater harvesting and watershed management which brought succour to villages on the rural outskirts of Mangalore.

The institution refused to rest on the laurels of the past, thereby the Management of the college applied for and was granted academic autonomy in 2007, to promote academic excellence in teaching, learning, evaluation and research.

The College promotes sound national, social and family values and works on the assumption that the country requires honest, sensitive and intelligent citizens. With this in mind, it shapes individuals who will serve as the nation’s heart and mind.

With only three years to go for this renowned institution to turn 100, St Agnes College has invited its alumni, benefactors, well-wishers, friends and the general public to join hands in preparing for the historic event.