Sun Mar 23 13:50:28 UTC 2025: ## St. Philomena College, Puttur Celebrates Autonomous Status
**PUTTUR, March 23, 2025** – St. Philomena College in Puttur, Karnataka, celebrated achieving autonomous status on Saturday, March 22nd. The college, managed by the Catholic Board of Education, Mangaluru, received the autonomy under Mangalore University, with approvals from the state government and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Archbishop of Bengaluru Archdiocese, Most Rev. Peter Machado. Other dignitaries in attendance included Mangaluru Diocese Bishop Most Rev. Peter Paul Saldanha, former Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor P.L. Dharma, Legislative Council Member Ivan D’Souza, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, and Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai.
Mr. Kateel unveiled the college’s new emblem and website. Vice-Chancellor Dharma inaugurated a new boardroom, examination section, and MCA laboratory, emphasizing the responsibilities of autonomous colleges in curriculum development. Several new college appointees were also felicitated.
Speakers praised the college’s academic and cultural achievements, urging it to continue fostering quality education and employment opportunities for its students. The event concluded with words of encouragement from officials of the Collegiate Education department urging students to set ambitious goals.
First Piper 