Department of Economics

St Agnes College was the first Women's College not only on the West Coast but also in the whole of South India. The Economics Department of St. Agnes College has the privilege of being the oldest department dating back to the foundation of the college in 1921 when it was affiliated to the Madras University. Economics was one of the subjects offered in all the combinations in the humanities strain as women whose only career option then was teaching opted mostly for Economics and History. With the reorganizations of States, the college and the department under it had to move from Madras to Dharwad, Mysore and finally Mangalore University.

Land-Marks of the Department:

• First to start Mathematical Economics
• Starting the Planning Forum
• Sr. Noelline, the H.O.D. took the initiative to start the Mangalore University Economics Association, taking a step towards forming an Economics Professional Community at the University and State level.
• Rain Water Harvesting was started on the campus by two members of the Department- Sr. Agatha Mary and Mr. Clement D'Souza before it was taken over by the College.
• Upgrading of the Department after NAAC.
• Autonomy has motivated the Department to not only think creatively but also materialize the creative thoughts.

Profile of the Department

Minor Research Projects:

• UGC Minor Research Project on "Productivity of SSI: A case study of Dakshina Kannada" by Dr. B.C. Manjula from June 2009 - March 2011
• UGC Minor Research Project on "Self Help Groups: A Case of Mangalore City Corporation" (As part of the Women Study Centre) by Dr. B.C. Manjula from 2009 March 2010
• UGC Minor Research Project on "Bank Finance for Self-Employment of Women "-A Case Study of Mangalore City Corporation"by Dr. B.C. Manjula from 2009 - March 2010

Publications:

• Dr. B.C. Manjula Co-authored a book on "Indian Economics" for III B.A. Students as part of the distance education programme of the Mangalore University in 2007
• Dr. B.C. Manjula published an article on "Deserted Women Breaking their Silence - In Context of Domestic Violence Act", Women's Link, Volume 14: No.2, April -June, 2008 - Pg.25-28
• Sr. Maria Kripa A.C. compiled two books - Monetary Economics for III Semester Students and Macro Economics for II Semester students

Honours Programme:

• 'Quantitative Techniques in Economics'

Activities of the Department (2011 - 2012)

Guest Lectures/Seminars Conducted:

The Economics Department organized a two days Workshop on “Learn and Earn Skills” on 8^th & 9^th July 2011.  40 Students of Economics attended the Workshop.  They learnt Fabric Painting and Greeting card making.

Resource Persons:  Ms. Shilpashri, Lecturer in Fashion Technology, Karavali College

                                Mr. Vinayak, Entrepreneur, Karkala.

Field Trips:

The department organized an Industrial visit for Final year B.A. students to get first hand knowledge of the functioning of Industries.  They will visit KMF (Karnataka Milk Factory), Cottage Industries at Heritage Village, Achal Cashew factory, Plastic Industry and Dinky Ice Cream Factory

Research/Seminars/Papers published:

On the 30^th July, 2011, three students of III B.A. attended an Inter Collegiate Seminar on the topic, “Corruption in India” organized by the Sociology – Economics Forum of the School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya.  One of our students – Pramila of third B.A. presented a paper on the topic.

Four students of Final Year – Prithvi Rani, Teen Pereira, Raksha and Shilpa attended a one day workshop on the Topic “Career Opportunities in Defence” organized by the Mangalore University Economics Association, in collaboration with Poornaprajna College, Udupi on the 6^th August, 2011.

Sr. Venissa attended a National level Seminar on Empowerment of Women: Issues and Challenges” organized by the Department of Economics, Vidyodaya Arts and Commerce First Grade  College, Mysore on 26^th Aug. 2011.  She presented a paper on the topic: “Micro Finance and SHGs – A two Dimensional Approach to Women Empowerment.”

Dr. B.C. Manjula attended a UGC sponsored National level Workshop on “Women Studies”, for the Directors of Women Study Centre, held on 28^th and 29^th of Aug. 2011 at the University of Hyderabad.  The Workshop on Women Studies lays emphasis on feminist perspective where the programme all over the World has been an instrument for social and academic development and in the last few decades it has helped in creating a better understanding of the multidimensional role played by Women in different societies.  The highlights of the Women Studies Centres was discussed which aimed at contributing to general advance of knowledge in human, social and cultural development.

Dr. B.C. Manjula attended an International Conference at Bali, Indonesia from Nov.24^th – 26^th , 2011 organized by the International Society for Third Sector Research.  She presented a paper on the topic, “Entrepreneurship Development among Women and Voluntary Sector in India”.

Three Students of B.A. attended an Inter-collegiate Academic Competition “Eco Fest” at M.G.M. College, Udupi, organized by the Mangalore University Economics Association on Jan. 5^th, 2012.  They participated in the Elocution Competition on “FDI – ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR AND AGAINST”, Essay Competition on Food Inflation and Quiz on Indian Economics.

Extension activities of the Department:

The department had organized an extension service visit to ‘Snehalya’ – a home for the Destitute at Talapady.  20 students of I B.A. and II B.A. along with a staff member spent value time with the 45 inmates of ‘Snehalaya’- a home for the mentally and physically disabled men, picked up from the streets.  The students interacted with them affectionately.  They were given eatables and an amount of Rs.3300/- which was contributed generously by a few students.

Staff Members: