Agnes College admits 20% boys to UG prog

Mangaluru: The century-old St Agnes College, the first women’s college on the west coast of India, as well as the first Catholic women’s college in the country, will start this academic year with boys being admitted for the first time to its undergraduate campus on Wednesday. The percentage of admission of boys is close to 20.
According to college authorities, most of the men admitted are from outside the district and other states. Soon after its centennial celebrations, the college sent a proposal to obtain permission to make the institution co-educational. This was approved a few months ago. The college offers arts, commerce, BBA, BCA, and BSc courses.
Sister Venessa, principal, St Agnes College, said a good number of men have been admitted this year. “We want to increase the numbers in phases. This academic year, to date, the college has received 20% of male candidates, out of the total intake. This is likely to increase every year. However, the college will predominantly cater to women’s education and will strike a balance,” she said, adding that candidates with good academic record have been admitted. The admission process will continue till the end of August. “Students have been admitted from Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Kerala. There are few local men who have taken admission,” she added.
St Agnes College was started in 1921, when women’s education was not available in the region, and the first batch had only 14 girls. Over the years, the college has educated more than 40,000 girls and its alumni are present across the globe. Postgraduate courses of the institution were made co-educational 16 years ago. The University Grants Commission granted autonomous status to the institution in 2007-2008.