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 St Xavier’s 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 in one fine moment. It was the culmination of numerous momentous events that served as milestones in the path of the establishment of this Jesuit university.
St Xavier's University was conceived in 2011, when Father Felix Raj, SJ, the then principal of St Xavier's College, Calcutta, 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 chief minister Mamata Banerjee graced the convocation of St Xavier's College, she proposed to Fr Felix Raj that the Jesuits start a separate university. The Bengal government extended its valuable support to this venture by granting 17 acres of land for the university campus, to be built in New Town, Rajarhat. And we heard the ancient voice of SXC history beckoning us.
Subsequently, a committee prepared the draft of St Xavier's University, Kolkata, Bill 2016. The Bill was later submitted to the department of higher education of Bengal.
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.
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.
St Xavier's University, Kolkata, Act 2016 was unanimously passed by the Bengal Assembly on December 15, 2016. Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi gave his consent to the act on January 16, 2017, and the 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 Bengal, particularly the department of higher education, was extremely cooperative. Vivek Kumar, principal secretary of the higher education department, deserves our gratitude for his generous advice and wholehearted support to our new venture.
Fr Jeyaraj Veluswamy, 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.
St Xavier's University, Kolkata, was inaugurated on July 7, 2017, by Mamata Banerjee, in the presence of Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, chairman and CEO of Arcelor Mittal, Fr Jeyaraj Veluswamy, S.J., the Jesuit provincial and several other dignitaries.
The chief minister expressed her firm belief that “St Xavier's University will soon be of global significance, like Harvard and 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”.
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 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 BCom and BMS and four postgraduate courses - MA in English, MCom, MA in 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 PhD programmes. It plans to open a faculty of science with computer science and statistics and a course in philosophy from July 2022.
Infrastructure plays an important role in the education sector. Buildings, good classrooms, libraries, auditoriums, laboratories, green-clean campuses, ICT facilities and residential facilities on campus 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
Within four years of its operation, SXUK has 3,000 students on the rolls. It is widely recognised 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.
Nihil Ultra means nothing beyond. It is an endless journey in search of knowledge and wisdom. The spirit of Nihil Ultra, meaning 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.
Fr. J. Felix Raj, SJ, is vice-chancellor of St Xavier’s University