Funny post. Surprises me that masters level students should think like that.
Brother, girls are humans just like and as much as yourself and your guy friends. The only difference is of some plumbing and a little physiological difference and since you only have to interact with them socially and not physically, I don't see why should you be even concerned unless you are mixing the two.
The only problem is with your perception of girls, if you perceive them just like everyone else whom you are comfortable in interacting with, then you would not need any more confidence to talk to them than you need for talking to males.
I can try and show you what your problem is: Just think about the women you do not hesitate to interact with. There must be some amongst the women around you like may be your female teachers, your house maid, your aunt, your mom, your sisters, your cousins, your doctor etc. Think why you do not hesitate to talk to them. The biggest reason is that your mind does not see them as your potential mates.
If you convince yourself that you do not want to mate with each and everyone of your female classmates, exclude them from your potential mates, start to view them as normal people and think less about their plumbing, I am sure you would not need any extra confidence in talking to them.
I hope to have made the rest of your life a bit easier.
The above advice does not work for girls you are wanting to bed.