Mangaluru: St Aloysius in city has become the second deemed-to-be university in Karnataka to secure the University Grants Commission (UGC) Category-I status.Addressing the media, vice-chancellor Fr Praveen Martis said the recognition was conferred considering the institution’s 146 years of service and recent progress. He said the status allows the university to introduce diploma, certificate and online programmes, and move beyond traditional courses into emerging areas such as AI.He added that the autonomy enables easier international collaborations, including joint programmes, faculty exchange and student mobility, which were earlier not accessible. It also allows the university to connect with institutions like IITs, IIMs and other top institutions in the country, which was not possible earlier.The university received the recognition 1.5 years after applying, he said.Granted under UGC Graded Autonomy Regulations, the status places it among a select group. Of 1,292 universities, about 45 have this status; among 157 deemed universities, only 26 do.Founded in 1880 by the Jesuits, the institution became a deemed university in January 2024. It has about 110 faculty members and 8,500 students, he said. Registrar Dr Ronald Nazareth, associate dean and Kannada HOD Dr Dinesh Nayak, and PRO Chandrakala were present.
