St Agnes College, Mangaluru, India, the first women’s college on the west coast of India, is on the threshold of celebrating its centennial year. Founded on 2 July 1921, thanks to the vision and courage of Mother Mary Aloysia A.C., the college has progressed by leaps and bounds to be one of the premier institutions of higher education in the country. The College from its inception has imparted higher education to the women of South India. It has ever since proved to be a standard bearer of repute in the field of education.While education of the girl child and women empowerment are recognized as a national priority today, St Agnes College has been serving this noble cause for the past 100 years and its alumni, scattered all over the world, are witness to this fact. Over the century, the Institution has the distinction of producing women graduates who hold positions in different spheres as educators, scientists, chartered accountants, management professionals and efficient homemakers.

The college which started with 24 students on roll, now has a strength of 4770. With the introduction of a plethora of new courses, the college has kept pace with the demands of the modern day, offering an integral, value-based, and quality-oriented learning experience in the classroom and beyond. Today the college offers diverse programmes at the PU/UG/PG level.

The college aims to integrate academics with value-based education and focuses on skill-enhancing certificate/diploma courses, research work, extension activities and faculty development programmes keeping in mind the contemporary needs of society and the demands of the job market.

The college took the initiative of submitting itself to the accreditation process conducted by the NAAC in 1999 and had the honour of receiving a ‘Five Star’ grade. In the subsequent re-accreditation process by NAAC in 2005 and 2012, the College earned an ‘A’ grade. In 2017, the institution was recognized as a ‘College of Excellence’ by the U.G.C.; secured an A+ Grade from NAAC with a CGPA of 3.65/4 and received ‘Star Status’ from the DBT, MST, Govt. of India, New Delhi. The college has been the recipient of the ‘Jimmy and Roselyn Carter Foundation’ Partnership International Award for its path-breaking work in the field of watershed management, greatly benefitting villages in the suburbs of Mangaluru and a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ from Father Muller Medical College Hospital for regular blood donation.

The college has introduced a community service activity, Agnes Towards Community (ATC) with the three-fold objective of education, awareness and service. The college has adopted five villages where students and faculty members organize activities such as Shramadhan, Herbal Gardening, Watershed Management, Swacch Bharath Drive, Malaria Eradication Campaigns, Electoral Literacy, Girl Child Safety, Rice Seedling Transplantation and assistance in Medical Camps. The Women’s Centre Sumangala encourages local women entrepreneurs by training them in fashion designing, culinary skills and basic computer skills.

The college continues to provide quality education to women of all communities and offers merit/means scholarships to deserving students including first-generation learners.

To commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the college in 1970, a school for the differently-abled children was set up. At a time when these children were stigmatized by society, the St Agnes Special School brought them into the main stream and provided them with ample opportunities to shine at the national and international level. The Women’s Centre Sumangala enables local women to be entrepreneurs by training them in fashion Designing, Culinary Skills and Basic Computer Skills.

The year 2020-21 is a milestone in the history of St Agnes College as it completes 100 glorious years in the field of education and empowerment of thousands of women. The college has stamped its influence on each of their lives not just in the quality education that they received and the sharpening of their skills and talents, but in the very shaping of their character, values, and principles.

The proof of its adherence to standard lies in the Milestone Achievements the college is proud of:

1921 – The College comes into being under the name St. Ann's College.
B.A. – English, Kannada, Malayalam, Sanskrit and French, Economics, History and Mathematics

Intermediate – English, Kannada, Sanskrit, Malayalam, Hindi, French, Ancient History, Modern History, Logic Household Arts, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Natural Science

Pre-University Class – English, Kannada, Hindi, World History,
Psychology, Logic, Household Arts, Physical Science, Natural Science

1922 – Sr M. Annunciata A.C. takes over as the Principal with Junior Intermediate and Senior classes

1923 – Established Convent Chapel which is renovated in 1965

1924 – The College secures affiliation with History Economics, attains the status of First Grade College and changes its name to St. Agnes College

1927 – The College and Convent Building (L shape)

1929 – The Statue of the Sacred Heart (from France) and The College is granted affiliation in French, Kannada and Malayalam for degree classes

1934 – Sr M. Theodosia A.C. takes over as the Principal
Established Avila Block

1936 – Affiliation secured for Mathematics and Basic Sciences

1939 – Introduced Physics
Established Stage Hall and Hostel (Avila Block)

1942 – Chemistry and Physics are offered as subjects completing the Science section.
Another New block houses Physics & Natural Science;
Dewan Bahadur P.C. donates the Home Science Block.
Established Veronica block for Science

1943 - Sr M Fidelis A.C. takes over as the Principal

1946-47 – SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
Introduced Sanskrit introduced for the B.A course and Sanskrit Household Arts for the intermediate class

1948 - Sr M. Eugenie A.C. takes over as the Principal

1949 - Sr M. Clarissa A.C. takes over as the Principal

1950 – Introduced Psychology

1952 - Sr M. Veera A.C. takes over as the Principal

1954 – A Magazine published as a joint venture of the college and the High School

1955 - Sr M. Stella A.C. takes over as the Principal

1956 – A two year Diploma Course by the Social Work Dept.
1956-58 – Marks the affiliated status of the College under the three universities - Madras, Karnataka and Mysore; Psychology is introduced as a subject

1957 – Introduced B.Sc. – Home Science
Arts and Science at Pre-University
Introduced M.A. (Social Work)

1958 - Sr M. Thedosia A.C. takes over as the Principal ( Second Time)

1959 – A New block for Science courses

1960 - Sr M. Carmelrtia A.C. takes over as the Principal

1963 – Sr Scholastica A.C. takes over as the Principal

1965 – Establishment of the Science Block under the auspices of the UGC and Introduced Botany and Zoology

1968 - Sr M. Noelle A.C. takes over as the Principal

1969 – Introduction of Commerce at PUC level

1970 – Establishment of Hostel and Non-Resident Student Centre (NRSC)

1971 – Agnes Special School for the differently-abled, as a memorial of GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS and Introduced the NSS Wing

1972 – Establishment of Open Air Stage
The college receives the COSIP (College Science Improvement Programme) grant by the UGC
Geography is introduced at the PUC level

1973 - Sr M. Hedwige A.C. takes over as the Principal

1974 – Introduced Secretarial Practice at Degree level

1975 – Establishment of Spacious Auditorium and the Commerce Block
College Humanities and Social Science Improvement Programme (COSHIP) is sanctioned by the UGC

1976 – Launching of 'Earn While You Learn' Scheme

1977 – Sr M. Aloysius A.C. takes over as the Principal
Direct payment of salaries

1978 – Establishment of College Canteen and Opening of Syndicate Bank Extension Counter

1980 – Affiliation to Mangalore University

1981-82 – DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

1981 – Augmenting the learning resources of the college with the construction of a new building

1984 – Parking Shelter for two wheelers and Installation of the gas-plant and the generator

1985 – Establishment of New Library

1988 – Introduced BBM & PGDCA

1990 – Introduction of Computer Science & Statistics for the PUC & Degree Electronics for the PUC
Introduction of Data Processing, English & Kannada major for the Degree

1991 – The College received State Level Best NSS Unit Award when Sr. M.
Supriya A.C. was the NSS Officer

1991 Dr Sr M. Olivia A C assumes the office of the Principal
Establishment of the Carmel block

1992 – Introduced Electronics and Microbiology with special Lab Facilities

1992 – Started Vocational Courses - Computer Applications for the B.Sc

1994 – Started Secretarial Practice and Vocational Course in Office Management for B.A.
Marked the Silver Jubilee of NSS Unit

1995-96 – CELEBRATED THE PLATINUM JUBILEE

1996 – Visit of Blessed Mother Teresa to mark Platinum Jubilee Celebrations and Introduced a plethora of new disciplines like
Microbiology, Electronics, Statistics, Computer Science and Computer Applications

1998 – Computerised the College Library
Started the Career Guidance Cell

1999 – St. Agnes College has the pride of being the trail blazer as the first college under the Mangalore University to be assessed and
accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with the Five Star Status.
Introduction of Carmel Counseling Centre

2001 – Sr M. Carmel Rita A. C. takes over as the Principal
PU and Degree colleges were bifurcated.
Introduced second batch of B.Com.
Hosting of College Web Site
Launching of Water Shed Management Project
Introduction of R & D Cell
Setting up of Chemistry & Botany Research Lab

2003 – Introduced Biotechnology at the Degree level
Inauguration of Carmel Gym
Inauguration of Peace Cell
Introduced Honours Programme

2004 – Inception of Women Centre - Sumangala, to train and empower women with Skill Development Programmes, leading to self- employment

2005 – Introduced B.Com. Vocational Course, Honours Programmes and Credit-based ECA
St. Agnes College has reaccredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with ‘A’ Grade.

2006 – Introduced BCA Course
Established Carmel Studio
Established Sophia Block and started Conference Hall, Language Lab, MASCOM Lab and Internet Lab
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award - The college won the prestigious International Award for the path-breaking work in the field of Watershed Management undertaken as Institutional Social Responsibility (ISR) which greatly benefitted villages in
the suburbs of Mangaluru.
The College received Best NSS Unit Award from at the University and State Level
The college was recognized as the College with Potential for Excellence (CPE) by the University Grants Commission (UGC)

2007 – Sr Dr M. Prem D 'Souza A. C. takes over as the Principal
The College has received the Autonomous Status from the Govt. of Karnataka as well as from the Mangalore University in the
year 2007
The College received State Level Best NSS Unit Award and Best
Progamme Officer Award to Mr Charles Stany Pais

2008 -- Introduced BSW (Social Work) Course
Establishment of a full-fledged PG Studies and Research Centre with male students
Introduced M.A. English & M.Sc. Psychology

2009 – Introduced M.Com.
Introduced ‘C’ batch of B.Com.
Inception of Women Studies Centre
Introduced French as II Language

2010 – Introduced M.Sc. Clinical Psychology & M.Sc. Chemistry

2011 – Collaboration with Concordia College, New York, American Transfer Programme

2012 – St Agnes College has reaccredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with ‘A’ Grade with CGPA 3.53.
The College received the grant under the Star College Scheme from the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science &
Technology, Government of India.
Introduced Malayalam as II Language

2013 – An annual in-house Research Journal, Echo Research: A Multi- disciplinary Journal, was initiated.
Introduced ‘D’ batch of B.Com.

2014 – Sr M. Supriya A. C. takes over as the Principal
Introduced Agnes Towards Community (ATC) community service programme
Introduced Uniform Dress Code for students

2015 – The college was Awarded Appreciation Certificate by the Father Muller Medical College for continued blood donation campaign. Recognition to St. Agnes Centre for Post Graduate Studies and Research as a Research Centre by Mangalore University
Mother Mary Aloysia Endowment Lecture was introduced

2016 – Sr Dr M. Jeswina A.C. takes over as the Principal
Establishment of Navachethana Counselling Centre
Introduced a new twinning programme of ACCA integrated with B.Com, in association with ISDC, UK
NCC Army wing established

2017 – St Agnes College has received the status of “College of Excellence” from the University Grants Commission. The college is the first college under Mangalore University to receive this recognition from UGC.

St Agnes College has been assessed and accredited by NAAC with ‘A+’ Grade CGPA 3.65 out of 4 in Cycle 4 in 2017.

The College has been awarded STAR STATUS by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology,
Government of India for the outstanding progress made by the College in the field of Science and Technology.

NSS Units of the college secured “National Young Leaders Award” from Mangalore University.
Introduced Journalism Course
Established NCC AIR Wing
Launching of the Centenary Celebration of St. Agnes College

The College is proud to receive triple award from the Mangalore University
Best NSS Unit- St Agnes College
Best NSS Officer- Dr Udaykumar
Best NSS Volunteer- Ms Rachana Shetty

2018 - ‘Business Process Service’ (BPS) was introduced for B.Com and BBA.
College introduced B.Com. – Professional
The Hugh and Praxedes Research block gifted by Dr. Brian Pinto, Former Senior Advisor, the World Bank and Dr. Nancy Pinto, an Anthropologist in memory of their parents, was blessed and inaugurated on 9 July.
The new Chemistry lab for PG students was inaugurated on 7 August. A Career Guidance session was organised for the UG and PG students of Chemistry.

15 August was a milestone in the history of St Agnes College. The foundation of Mother Mary Aloysia A.C. Centenary Memorial Block was laid on this auspicious day.

Celebration of the Sesquicentennial Jubilee of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation established in India
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru and Tata Consultancy Services on 18 December 2018

2019 - Centenary Special Postal Cover was released by Dr Charles Lobo, IPS,
Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle on 20 February 2019.
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, USA visited College on 27 and 28
February 2019 and signed an Agreement of Cooperation.
NCC Air Wing unit with 32 cadets was introduced

The college was selected for Unnath Bharath Abhiyan, a flagship program of Ministry of Human Resource Development.

The college was selected for Mentoring NAAC Accreditation Aspirant Institutions to promote Quality Assurance in Higher Education by UGC Scheme of Paramarsh

Set up Entrepreneurship Development Forum - UNNATHI
Introduced M.Sc Big Data Analytics

College E-Magazine AgneSwara was started

Centenary Maathon/ Cyclathon/ Walkathon

2020 - Centenary Year Inaugural