Media Release
Puttur, Sep 25: St Philomena College, Puttur, a proud beacon of academic excellence, sports, and cultural achievements in the region, has officially been granted autonomous status for the academic year 2024-25.
The joyous announcement was made by the correspondent of the college Fr Lawrence Mascarenhas, on September 24 during an official address to the students and staff, marking a new milestone of the college in the 66-year history of impactful education and contribution to society.
Fr Mascarenhas emphasized that the long-standing reputation of the college for quality education has been further solidified by the recognition from the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for its BBA, BCA, and MCA programs, which had already received formal approval. "This achievement of autonomy is a landmark in the growth of the college," he noted, expressing optimism that it will significantly enhance the learning experience of students and enable the institution to make a more meaningful contribution to society.
The autonomy status will allow St Philomena College to streamline processes related to admissions, examinations, and results, which will accelerate academic progress for students. Furthermore, the institution will now have more freedom to introduce innovative curricular and extracurricular activities that will not only benefit students academically but also prepare them with the skills required by modern industries and enterprises.
Founded by the visionary Monsignor Antony Patrao, St Philomena College has been a pioneer in providing high-quality education to the rural youth of Puttur since its inception in 1958. The college has consistently maintained an outstanding record, achieving 'A' grade accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) for three consecutive cycles. In the 2023-24 academic year, it earned the prestigious ISO 9001:2015 certification, further enhancing its global standing.
The journey of the college towards autonomy began in the previous academic year when it submitted an application to the University Grants Commission (UGC). Following a detailed assessment by a committee led by Prof PL Dharma from Mangalore University in April 2024, UGC approved the application of the college. Subsequently, Mangalore University Academic Council endorsed the recommendation, and after a thorough review by the Government of Karnataka, the official notification is issued, confirming the autonomous status to the college.
Fr Mascarenhas expressed his gratitude to the Catholic Education Board, led by his Lordship Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore, as well as the leadership of principal Dr Antony Prakash Monteiro, faculty members, and administrative staff for their unwavering dedication and collective effort in realizing this long-cherished dream.
With autonomy, the college is preparing to introduce new courses, design its own curriculum, and conduct examinations independently, providing students with greater flexibility and opportunities for creative thinking, critical analysis, and research. The well-equipped control room, board room, and examination departments are ready to support the institution in carrying out these responsibilities.
St Philomena College currently offers undergraduate courses in BA, BSc, BCom, BBA, BCA, and BCA (AI & ML), as well as postgraduate degrees in MSW, MCom, and MSc in Physics and Mathematics. The MCA programme will also be launched in the upcoming academic year, all under the recognition of AICTE.
Adding to the list of recent accomplishments, the college was also selected as a host institution for the New Age Innovation Network (NAIN) under the Karnataka Start-Up Policy by the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS). The NAIN initiative aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students, helping ambitious learners to become the next generation of entrepreneurs. Several student teams will soon work on prototypes and solutions to real-world challenges in this dedicated centre.
St Philomena College, with over 60 active student clubs, is committed to the holistic development of its students. The strong tradition of excellence in sports continues with the guidance of professional coaches, and the introduction of certificate courses in cyber security, in collaboration with ICT Academy, is a reflection of its forward-looking approach.
Present at the announcement were principal Dr Antony Prakash Monteiro, vice president of the parish pastoral council, Gerald D’Costa, vice principal Dr Vijayakumar Moleyar, Fr Rupesh Tauro, Vinayachandra, Dr Malini K, and all faculty members and students of the college. Later a press conference was also conducted in the Press Club, Puttur.