Anagha S Rai, a student in the Business Administration program at St Philomena College, has successfully passed the Company Secretary Entrance Exam (CSEET), marking a significant milestone as the first BBA student from the institution to achieve this feat. The college, in an innovative move, has teamed up with the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) to deepen the practical knowledge base of its students by offering an integrated BBA and CS program.

This academic collaboration positions St Philomena College as an exclusive Study Centre for ICSI in the region, aligning with the ICSI Mangalore Chapter to elevate higher education standards. The initiative allows students to engage directly with the CS course material, equipping them with essential professional skills. Anagha’s success in the May 4, 2024, exams underscore the effectiveness of this program.

Rev.Dr Anthony Prakash Monteiro, the principal of the college, expressed his satisfaction with the impact of the program. “It’s pleasing to see our students excel. This initiative not only enhances our academic offerings but also boosts the esteem of our BBA program, reflecting the dedication of our faculty to student success,” he stated.

Formerly, students interested in advanced professional courses had to travel to urban centres like Mangalore. The introduction of this integrated program by the Business Administration department is a strategic response to this educational gap. “With this initiative, we aim to make professional courses accessible to all our students, directly here at St Philomena,” explained Dr Radhakrishna Gowda, Dean and Head of the Department.

Anagha, the daughter of Sadashiva Rai and Dhyana S Rai, has made her parents proud with this academic achievement, setting a precedent for future students in the newly integrated program.