St Xavier’s University has launched its PhD programme in three subjects two-and-a-half years after its inauguration.

The university introduced doctoral programmes in English, commerce and mass communication for the 2019-20 session last week and plans to extend the course to economics, management and social work from the next academic year, Father Felix Raj, the vice-chancellor, said.

Twenty scholars have joined the three doctoral programmes after clearing the Xavier University Research Aptitude Test (XURAT).

The vice-chancellor said that steps were being taken to ensure that all research done at the institute was of international standards.

“Research is one of the main academic activities of the university. Our aim is to make the university a research-driven institution. We will gradually turn the institution into a world-class research centre in the coming years. One of the main focuses of the research will be on the benefit of people,” the vice-chancellor said.

All research will be carried out in compliance with the norms set by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

A separate body has been set up comprising nine members, including academics from outside and teachers of St Xavier’s University, for supervision of the doctoral programmes.

The panel will also select the research topics for the scholars. Selection of research guides will be done under the supervision of the research board.

To meet UGC norms, the 20 selected scholars will undertake course work for the next six months.

They will start their main research work after completion of the course work, Father Felix Raj said.

A separate centre, equipped with conference rooms, library, separate cubicles for the scholars and lecture rooms, has been set up on the sprawling 17-acre campus The facilities at the research centre are on a par with other research institutes.

A number of research projects will be undertaken jointly with industry.

“Some of our research will be done in association with industry. This will give our scholars an opportunity to work on real-life problems faced by the industry,” the vice-chancellor said.

The university is also planning to set up an incubation and innovation centre to promote knowledge sharing between the university, industry and other institutions, the vice-chancellor said.