Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Puttur, 17 January 2025 : The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) unit of St Philomena College, Puttur, has achieved a commendable milestone in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship. For its outstanding contributions during the academic year 2023-24, the unit has been awarded a prestigious ‘Three-Star Rating” by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. This recognition is a distinctive honour achieved by only 99 institutions in the South-Western region of India.

The IIC unit has successfully organized a series of workshops, lecture series, and hackathons focused on fostering innovation and supporting startups. These initiatives have significantly contributed to building a culture of creativity and enterprise among students and faculty members.

Mentorship and Expert Guidance

The IIC unit of the college is mentored by Sahyadri College of Engineering and Technology, Mangaluru. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, the mentorship has been instrumental in organizing various structured programs and activities.

Prominent experts such as Glenston Tony, Assistant Professor and Training Coordinator at St Joseph’s Technical Institute, Vaamanjoor: Madhuranath R., Head of Marketing at Slang Labs, Bengaluru; and Pranitha K.S., Senior Product Security Specialist at SAP Ariba Technologies and an alumna of the college, have conducted impactful lectures and workshops. Their efforts have been pivotal in igniting creativity and innovation among students and faculty alike.

Support from the Government of Karnataka

The IIC unit has also received support from the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) under the New Age Innovation Network (NAIN) 2.0 initiative. This initiative, aligned with the Karnataka Startup Policy 2022-27, equips students with the necessary resources to develop innovative projects and undertake entrepreneurial ventures. As part of this initiative, students have proposed several project prototypes that are currently under review for approval.

Principal’s Commendation

Rev. DrAntony Prakash Monteiro, Principal of St Philomena College, expressed his appreciation for the achievement of the IIC unit. “During the past academic year, the IIC unit successfully organized an impactful lecture series and numerous programs focused on startups. Every activity of the IIC adheres to the directives of the Ministry of Education and is meticulously reported on the portal of the Ministry. Approximately 40 programs were organized, and detailed reports were uploaded for evaluation. Based on predefined criteria, the reports were assessed, and the three-star rating was conferred. This is a significant achievement for an institution providing undergraduate education. I extend my congratulations to all students and mentors who actively participated in and supported the IIC programs,” he said. Principal also appreciated the efforts of Mrs Geetha Poornima K , IIC President , Mr Abhishek Suvarna ,IIC Convener and their team for their commitment in achieving the prestigious Three Star Rating.