Christian missionaries have played an important role in charting the academic course of India - be it a metropolitan city or a rural hinterland. Considering the needs of the then South Kanara region Rt Rev Dr V R Fernandes, the Bishop of Mangalore established The Catholic Board of Education in 1932. Over the years the Board has grown mammoth size and at present it runs professional colleges, general education colleges, nursery training and industrial training institutions, pre-university colleges, high schools and primary schools totalling to over 242 in number in Udupi, Mangalore and Kasaragod Districts.
St Mary’s College, Shirva under the Catholic Board of Education was founded in 1980 by the then Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva Very Rev Fr A Rosario.
The College is under the protection of Mother Mary, Our Lady of Health. The burning light symbolizes the upkeep of life acquired through knowledge. The physical activity materials stand for the initiatives implemented on campus towards aiming at a sound mind in a sound body. The Cross-and-the Crown signify the importance of hard work that culminates in glowing success and well-being of human person.
St Mary's College, Shirva, was founded by Very Rev Fr Aloysius Rosario in 1980 with the purposes of serving the higher education needs of rural youth. The college, a minority instution, is managed by The Catholic Education Society of Udupi Diocese at the apex and by a Governing Council at the local level. It is affiliated to Mangalore University. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council(NAAC), Bangalore has reaccreditted it with 'B' Grade.
Reaching quality higher education to rural doorsteps.
St Mary’s College, Shirva strives to train rural youth to meet global challenges through innovative classroom lessons coupled with capability building programmes. It is committed to excellence in helping students to develop their academic competencies, communication skills, civic awareness and intimate student-teacher relationship. The institution tries to achieve inclusive growth through inclusive governance.