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SXUK : ST. XAVIER'S UNIVERSITY, KOLKATA

Vision
Rooted in and inspired by the Ignatiancharism of forming men and women for others, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, as a Centre of Excellence, strives to promote a society based on love, freedom, liberty, justice, equality and fraternity.

Mission
  • To set an international standard for Arts, Science, Commerce, Management and Education contemporary and relevant to the 21st Century;
  • To provide all students of St. Xavier's University a unique and exceptional education that will be a transforming experience intellectually, culturally, socially and personally;
  • To excel in all areas of teaching-learning, research, outreach and consultancy;
  • To contribute to the creation of knowledge and to search for the meaning of life;
  • To bridge the rural-urban divide, taking the benefits of education to the poor and the marginalized, aiming at their empowerment;
  • To ensure access to and equity in higher educational opportunity to all deserving and meritorious students with a preferential option for the poor and marginalized, irrespective of caste and creed;
  • To inspire and challenge all segments of the University to raise the realm of good from great to greater, through continuous quality assessment;
  • To offer subjects for competence building, and to motivate/animate a work force imbued with human values;
  • To become a Centre of culture and to consciously promote communal harmony and cultural integration so as to create an atmosphere of dialogue in the campus;
  • To promote academic exchange and academia-industry interfacing, making use of the latest technology;
  • To develop application-oriented courses, with the mandatory view on values, to produce holistic development of persons;
  • To form young men and women of competence, commitment, conscience and compassion;
  • To contribute to the well-being of the nation without counting the cost; in the spirit of NIHIL ULTRA (Nothing Beyond), the motto of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata.

SXUK : THE HISTORY
University website : www.sxuk.edu.in

History is not a mere collection of some chronological events; it is a chronicle of the defining moments that go on to shape the future; and these defining moments are always unassuming in their contemporary perspectives. One such defining moment was the dream to take the institution to newer heights, and the wheels were set in motion for establishing St. Xavier's University, Kolkata.

Like Rome was not built in a day, so also, the University did not come into existence on one fine moment. It was the culmination of numerous momentous events that served as milestones in the path of the establishment of this Jesuit Higher Education Institution.

St. Xavier's University was conceived in 2011, when Father Felix Raj, SJ, the then principal of St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, along with the members of the St. Xavier's College Alumni Association envisaged 'SXC Vision 2020', which encompassed the establishment of St. Xavier's University. It was established with a desire to deepen human understanding and create an excellent institution for teaching - learning, scholarship, research, innovation and outreach and thus form young men and women of competence, commitment, conscience and compassion who will be sensitive citizens and selfless leaders of the future.

In January 2012, when the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, graced the Convocation of St. Xavier's College, she proposed to Fr. Felix Raj that St. Xavier's College be upgraded to the status of a University or a separate University be established under the Jesuit banner. The Government of West Bengal extended its valuable support to the Jesuits by granting 17 acres of land for the St. Xavier's University Campus to be built in New Town, Rajarhat. And we heard the ancient voice of history beckoning us.

The seed of a University had been embedded in St. Xavier's College since its inception in 1860. History reveals that the College was in a mode of expansion in many ways. The hallmark of the College, as stated in the almanacs of 1880 and onwards, observes that 'the course of study embraces all subjects and transcends the standards of post-graduation.

Again the Rector's Report of 1906 refers to an inspection by a body of members appointed by the Senate of the Calcutta University. The observations made by the members found St. Xavier's with the ability of expansion into further spheres of education, appreciating the prospect and proposal of upgradation into the status of a University.

Subsequently, as the Principal of the College, Fr. Felix Raj appointed a committee to prepare a DPR (Detailed Project Report). The committee had many meetings and prepared a draft of the St. Xavier's University, Kolkata Bill 2016. It also had several meetings with the Higher Education Department of the State Government to take this proposal forward.

With the support of the Alumni Association the 'Vision 2020' project began. The Alumni Association and some individual alumni participated whole-heartedly and actively in this 'Vision 2020'. It has been a hard task and the perseverance has borne fruit by the blessings of the Almighty.

The Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee laid the Foundation Stone on December 27, 2013, blessed by His Grace, Most Rev. Archbishop Thomas D'Souza in the presence of Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy, S.J., Provincial, Fr. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Principal, Rev. Dr. Dominic Savio, S.J., Rector and many other distinguished guests and alumni.

The St. Xavier's University, Kolkata Act 2016 was unanimously passed by the West Bengal Assembly on December 15, 2016. The Hon'ble Governor, Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi gave his consent to the Act on January 16, 2017 and the West Bengal Government notified February 8, 2017 (Foundation Day) as the date of effect for the provisions of the St. Xavier's University, Kolkata Act 2016 to come into force. The Government of West Bengal, particularly the Department of Higher Education was extremely cooperative. Mr. Vivek Kumar, the Principal Secretary of the H.E. Dept deserves our gratitude for his generous advice and wholehearted support to our new venture.

Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy, the President of the sponsoring trust and ex-officio Chancellor of the University appointed Fr. Felix Raj, S.J. as the first Vice-Chancellor of the University on January 15, 2017 along with Prof. Ashis Mitra as the first Registrar of the University. He took over the mantle immediately and formed the first Governing Board which had its first meeting on April 27, 2017. Britto House, which is the Jesuit residence, was inaugurated on the same day.

St. Xavier's University, Kolkata was inaugurated on July 7,2017 by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, in the presence of Mr. Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, the Chairman and CEO of Arcelor Mittal, Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy, S.J., the Jesuit Provincial and several other dignitaries.

The Hon'ble Chief Minister expressed her firm belief that 'St. Xavier's University will soon be of global significance, like the Harvard and the Oxford. The Jesuit principles of faith and service would enable St. Xavier's University to become one of the foremost educational institutions in the country, promoting excellence in education and research”. Mr. Mittal observed, “Today is a great day for Xavier's Fr. Felix Raj and I have been dreaming of this day for some years now, since we met in London in 2017. The dream has now become a reality.'

The Academic Block was named, 'Lakshmi and Usha Mittal Foundation Building', as a token of gratitude for the generous support of Mr. L.N. Mittal and family towards the construction of the building.

The first Academic session began on July 10, 2017 with two undergraduate courses in B. Com and B.M.S. and four postgraduate Courses in M.A. English, M. Com, M.A. Mass Communication, and MSW with a total strength of 400 students selected from among 3,500 applicants.

Xavier Business School (XBS) was inaugurated with the AICTE-approved fully residential MBA course on August 7, 2018. With the approval of the Bar Council of India (BCI) SXUK started the Xavier Law School (XLS) on July 6, 2019. The University offers eight undergraduate courses, seven postgraduate courses and five Ph.D. programmes. It plans to open a Faculty of Science with Computer Science and Statistics and a course in Philosophy from 2022.

Infrastructure plays an important role in the education sector. Buildings, good classrooms, libraries, auditoriums, laboratories, green-clean campuses, ICT facilities, residential facilities on campus etc. are crucial for a learning environment and to improve the performance of students. We believe that high-quality infrastructure offers a satisfactory environment, facilitates better teaching-learning, and improves student outcomes among other benefits

Today, four years after its beginning, SXUK has 3,100 students on the rolls. It is widely recognized as an important centre and destination for the young citizens of India eager to learn and advance in wisdom, and for faculty and researchers committed to the values of scholarship and innovation. Our focus now is on 'SXUK Vision 2025.'

SXUK is a Jesuit institution with one history but many stories; one fire with many sparks that kindles other fires. It is built on a long-standing Jesuit heritage and timeless tradition. We attest our motto of 'Nihil Ultra' upholding our Jesuit legacy, leadership and high standards, and our commitment to the onerous task of providing quality opportunities.

NIHILULTRA means nothing beyond, an endless journey in search of knowledge and wisdom. The spirit of Nihil Ultra, which mean without limit, infinite, unending reflects the spirit of our lives, the rhythm of our universe, the vision of our minds, the depth of our hearts; Nihil Ultra also means development, advancement, betterment, because only these are without limit.