Academic and infrastructure expansion are high-priority areas along with alumni participation
On the occasion of the second convocation of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, vice-chancellor Fr. Felix Raj spoke to ABP Education and shared his vision for the institution which he, along with Jesuit brothers and a strong alumni network, founded in July 2017. A Jesuit of the Calcutta Province of the Society of Jesus, Felix Raj was earlier the vice-principal, principal and rector of St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. A teacher of economics, he is also the director of The Goethals Indian Library and Research Society and a member of the West Bengal State Education Commission. Read full article online.
A special session on startups was organised by the Department of Commerce (Morning Section) via the Zoom platform for students of the Morning Section on the 3rd of February 2021 from 2 PM i 3 PM. The speaker for the event was Mr. Ravi Ranjan, Entrepreneurship Evangelist and Startup Expert, founder of "Velocity1".
The Webinar started with a welcome address by Rev. Fr. Dr. Soosai Nayagam, Associate Dean of the Department of Commerce (Morning Section). To begin with, a brief discussion took place on entrepreneurship, venture capital, angel investments and how venture capitalists help in the formation of startups. The process of funding which is the key aspect for a startup and its sources were explained in detail, particularly the idea of building unicorns during the pandemic.
In this context, the relevance and challenges that the market possess, especially with the new budget 2021-2022 in place, was understandably explained by our guest Mr. Ravi Ranjan. Moving on, how startups influence in the development of an economy from a global perspective was highlighted. In this context, how the Startup Genome and Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) lend a helping hand to startups caught the attention of the students.
The emcee for the event was Prof. Sovik Mukherjee, Academic Coordinator of the Department of Commerce (Morning Section). Towards the end of the session, Mr. Ranjan shared many success stories in the Indian context as case studies to help the students understand the concept of startups using cases of OYO, Wow Momo, Phool.Co to motivate the students to become young entrepreneurs in the coming days. The session concluded with an informative Q&A session.
St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, celebrated 72nd Republic Day of India at the University campus. Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Dr. Felix Raj, SJ hoisted the national flag. This was accompanied by the singing of the National Anthem. The Faculty Members, Officers, Support Staff and Students attended the programme which was followed by refreshment....
The IQAC of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata organized an online discussion on the life and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda on January 12, 2021 (Tuesday) as a part of the celebration of the National Youth Day, the birthday of the wandering monk.
The key note speaker was the hon'ble Vice-Chancellor of the university, Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J. During his speech, Father Vice-Chancellor depicted the life history of Swami Vivekananda, his teachings aimed at the youth, promotion of human values and especially his visit to Chicago. Father also discussed about Swamiji's visit to Ramanathapuram and the other places of Tamil Nadu. Father also focused on the similarities of Jesuit education and disciplines with that of Ramakrishna Mission.
Father recalled the significance of the decade of 1860-70s when a series of great personalities like Acharya J C Bose, Brahmabandhav Upadhyayay, Rabindranath Tagore, M K Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda and others were born in this country and dedicated their entire lives for the upliftment of human civilization through their valuable contributions i.e. science, arts, literature, religious movements, expression of secular thoughts and vice versa.
"Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached", while commemorating the famous scripture of Swamiji, Father reminded that enough opportunities are left there for Indians to grow as nearly 65% population of India belongs to the youth section. If this positive power can be utilized after productive issues with proper guidance and training, India will be the super power in near future, he opined. As a harbinger of new and innovative thoughts, Swamiji was always an aspirant of new India filled with a rejuvenated youth power, which also Father mentioned for several times in his lecture and appealed to everyone to follow Swami Vivekananda's ideologies in order to establish a better tomorrow.
The programme was attended by all faculty Members of the university. They also interacted with Father after he had completed his lecture. The vote of thanks was delivered by Registrar, Prof Ashis Mitra. ..
St. Xavier's University Kolkata Alumni Association (SXUKAA) hosted the Province Level Meeting of all the Alumni Associations under the Calcutta Jesuit Province on Saturday, 9th January, 2021 at St. Xavier's University, Kolkata. The meeting was chaired by the Province Coordinator of Alumni (PCA) Rev. Fr. John Felix Raj, SJ. The meeting was attended by the Presidents, Secretaries and representatives of the various Alumni Associations - St. Xavier's University Kolkata Alumni Association, the Alumni Associations of St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, St. Lawrence High School, Kolkata, St. Xavier's Collegiate School, Kolkata, St. Xavier's School, Durgapur and St. Xavier's College, Burdwan. Rev. Fr. John Felix Raj, SJ, the Province Coordinator of Alumni and Vice-Chancellor of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, called upon the various Alumni Associations to take up the "Universal Apolistic Preferences" and respond to them. The various Alumni Associations also presented their reports on the activities undertaken by them and deliberated on the way forward..
Xaverians in Action (XIA), the social wing of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, organised a Blanket Donation Campaign' in collaboration with the St. Xavier's University, Kolkata Alumni Association (SXUKAA) and SNEGAM, an NGO, who sponsored the event, on 21st December, 2020, on the occasion of Christmas for the construction workers of the University and the residents of the neighbourhood villages namely, Kathalberia, Kulberia, Ghashkhali, Holdepota and Beonta. Some of these villages have also been adopted by the University as part of its outreach activities. The University's current infrastructure is the result of the untiring and dedicated efforts of the construction workers and some of the support staff who have been silently contributing towards establishing and maintaining the magnificent campus since its inception. A total of 150 blankets were given away by our Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Dr. J. Felix Raj, SJ, who addressed the gathering with a Christmas message of sharing and caring and thanked every worker for their immense contribution. The event was attended by other dignitaries such as Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Dr. Sebasti L. Raj, SJ; Registrar, Prof. Ashis Mitra, Deans of of the different Faculties/Schools, teachers and non-teaching staff members. After the event, a group of Student Volunteers reached St. Francis Academy in Kathalberia Village, where blankets were handed out to another 400 villagers. All the COVID-19 prevention protocols were strictly followed by the participants. Thus, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, could bring smiles on the faces of the workers and villagers, in this season of love and hope, through their modest efforts.
An online NAAC awareness program was conducted by IQAC, St. Xavier's University on July 3, 2020 to make the faculty and staff members aware of the new NAAC guidelines and to sensitize them about their role in NAAC accreditation and quality enhancement program of the University. The program began with the introductory speech of our Vice-chancellor, Rev. Fr. Dr. J. Felix Raj, S.J. The program was organised in two sessions, faculty members were attained the first session and the staff members participated the second session. Both the sessions started with the valuable words of our Registrar, Prof. Ashis Mitra, followed by the speech of Dr. Tanushree Biswas, Coordinator of IQAC. Different academic and non-academic areas related to NAAC were explained by other members of IQAC team. There was interactive Q&A and online feedback session at the end of each half. The feedback received from the participants was very encouraging. Prof. Krishna Roy, Member, IQAC.
New Town, Rajarhat: St. Xavier's University, Kolkata reached out to the neighborhood villages where University students go for social outreach programmes. Jesuit Fathers with some university officers and student volunteers distributed food items - rice, dal, potatoes, and soybeans - to poor families in four phases - on April 19, 20, 22 and 26 reaching out to 750 families in total.
SXUK will continue the work in the days to come as and when required in these villages. The distribution work was organised at St. Francis Academy, Kathalberia village, adhering to COVID protocol guidelines issued by the Government.
Earlier, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata joined hands with Snegam Social Welfare and Resource Society, an NGO and reached out to the people in need during these tiring times of Pandemic. The outreach distribution work of essential commodities started on March 28 and is being carried out till date.
On an average, 50 people were given relief materials enough for three days for a family in Thakurpukur and Haridevpur covering Wards 143 and 144. The beneficiaries include rickshaw pullers and daily wage-earners.
Upon receiving an SOS from Sundarbans through Genesis hospital, Kolkata, Snegam and SXUK responded immediately and sent Rice, Dal, Potatoes and Salt for 300 families of tiger victim-widows in and around Amlamethi village in Sundarbans. SXUK has extended its support to construction workers and migrant labourers through NKDA, at Rajarhat.
The Vice-Chancellor is constantly in touch with the faculty, staff and students of the university with instructions and advisories. Students of Xaverians in Action (XIA) association of the University have also announced an online campaign for donation to express their solidarity to the neighbourhood people. View Gallery
Hon'ble Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee, Former Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, inaugurated the Moot Court Hall of Xavier Law School, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, christened as Fr. AELRED GOMES MOOT COURT HALL, on 7th March 2020. Set up with the purpose of infusing legal education with a quotient of professional readiness, the Moot Court shall be dedicated to train the students with practical skills, enabling them to cope with the craftsmanship and mannerisms in practice within the courtroom and grooming the next-generation lawyers worthy of the Bar and Bench alike. All the students and faculty members of Xavier Law School attended the inauguration programme.
Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor Rev. Fr. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J. felicitated Hon'ble Justice Mukherjee, and started the day's proceedings with his Welcome Address, invoking the memory of Fr. Aelred Gomes, who was one of the Jesuit Provincials of Calcutta Jesuit Province.
Hon'ble Justice Mukherjee addressed the gathering with his wise insight into the world of litigation and the importance of mooting as an activity for budding lawyers. Hon'ble Justice Mukherjee shared his valuable experiences in the bar and bench with the students. The programme was concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr. Debasis Poddar, Dean, Xavier Law School. View Gallery
- Prof. Ratul Das,
Assistant Professor, Xavier Law School
ROTARY VOCATIONAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE are among the most prestigious awards and, in honouring individuals beyond superlatives, you feel honored. The District Governor, Rtn. Ajay Agarwal did the honours by handing away the awards on Saturday March 7, 2020 at the Conclave, Kolkata.
The trio of recipients comprised educationist, Rev. Fr. Dr. John Felix Raj S J, Mr. Gautam De of the Indian Foreign Service and Professor Dr. Dhrubojyoti Chattopadhyay, VC of Sister Nivedita University.
The brief speeches by the recipients were touching. The Reverend Father is the Vice Chancellor of the St. Xavier's University, Kolkata that was set up with so much assistance from both the Alumni in India and abroad. He was recognized for his contribution to higher Education to Bengal and India.
In his acceptance speech, Father Raj highlighted the generous contribution of the alumni in the SXUK project and the Xaverianness he has discovered in many Xaverians around the world. This Vocational Awards ceremony was indeed one of a kind.
St. Xavier's University, Kolkata celebrated its 4th Foundation Day on Saturday, February 8, 2020. The Hon'ble Governor of West Bengal, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar was the Chief-Guest and the First Lady, Smt. Sudesh Dhankhar had accompanied him.
The Governor congratulated the students for being part of the Xaverian family. He said, "You are all fortunate to study at St. Xavier's University while I did not have this opportunity. Make the best use of your study here and become good leaders of India with Xaverian values."
Dr. Purnendu Roy, MD and Chairman of Genesis Hospital delivered the Foundation Day lecture on "Physical and Mental Health of Students to shoulder responsibility as leaders". His talk mesmerized the audience who cheered him with repeated applauses.
Earlier, Fr. Felix Raj, Vice-Chancellor, in his welcome address, expressed his gratitude to all visionaries and builders of the University for their tireless and consistent efforts. He announced that M.Com classes would be held in the morning from July 2020 for the benefit of students who can pursue their professional courses or seek placements in companies.
The annual magazine of the University, Xaverianum 2019, was released by the Governor and other dignitaries.
Jesuit Fr. Felix Raj, SJ, Vice-Chancellor of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata was honoured with Xavier Ratna Award by the Xavier Institute of Engineering, Mumbai on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at its 11th Convocation for his distinguished contribution to higher education and making higher education affordable to the rural poor. Fr. Raj was the Chief-Guest for the Convocation and delivered the Convocation Address.
Fr. John Rose, SJ, the Director of the Institute gave away the award on behalf of the institute and the Jesuit Province of Mumbai.
180 students graduated this year from the Jesuit institute. Fr. Felix Raj advised the graduating students to live up to the values of a Xavierite carrying with them the Ignatian spirit of majis wherever they go.
He warned the students that 'Life out in the world is not cozy like your class rooms. Whether you go seeking jobs or climb the ladder of higher studies, be bold and face it all with courage and determination.'
'Think global and act local. Let your thoughts be positive and big and your actions real and concrete. Success will come after you if you vibrate positivity in all you do', he added.
As this Xavier institute is proud of you and has formed you as men and women for others, you also must be proud of your alma mater and come back to express your belongingness and loyalty, whenever possible' he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, Veeresh Prabhu, Dr. Frank Trocki former Chancellor of Montana State University, Northern, USA and Dr. Y.D. Venkatesh, Principal of the College attended the Convocation ceremony.
Xavier Ratna is presented to illustrious Jesuit alumni by the Jesuits of Mumbai in Maharashtra. Earlier recipients of Xavier Ratna include: Former CM and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Ashok Chavan, Chairman of Godrej Group, Adi Godrej, Non-Executive Chairman of HDFC, Deepak Parekh and Legendary Cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar.
Father Felix Raj, Vice-Chancellor of St Xavier's University, was inducted into the Management Accounting Hall of Fame by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) for his contribution and lifetime achievement in the field of education and management. Brendon O Connell, ICMA s global president, and Chris D Souza, chief operating officer of the organisation, presented him the award at a conference on Frontiers In Accounting held on the New Town campus of St Xavier's University, Kolkata on Monday December 16. Read Article