New Town: St Xavier’s University is “the model to follow” after showing in its inaugural year that an institute backed by a legacy of excellence will attract students irrespective of its location, education minister Partha Chatterjee said on Monday.

The university, whose campus is 3km beyond Tata Medical Center in New Town, had received more than 3,000 applications for admission to four postgraduate and two undergraduate courses. Only 400 made it to the first batch.

The inauguration ceremony of St. Xavier’s University Kolkata took place on 7th July 2017

“St Xavier’s University was set up in 2017. I came to know from Father Felix Raj (the vice-chancellor) that in its very first year of existence, the university received over 3,000 applications…. This shows the location of an institute does not matter. Location can’t be an issue for students while choosing where to study. What matters is the quality of education an institute imparts,” the education minister said at an event marking the first anniversary of the 17-acre New Town campus.

He urged other institutes to stand up to be counted.

Vice-chancellor Felix Raj described St Xavier’s University as “a dream come true” that was made possible by the state government’s support, particularly chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Father Raphael J. Hyde, the chancellor of the university, said the larger objective was to create a centre of excellence and strive to promote a society based on “love, freedom, justice, equality and fraternity”.

By the 2016 St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata, Act of the Assembly, the university may have constituent Jesuit Colleges situated in West Bengal. St. Xavier’s College Kolkata Educational Trust owns the university, with the Jesuit provincial as its president.[2] Also established were a 36-member Governing Board, Executive Council, 13-member Executive Council, Academic Council, Faculty Council, Board of Studies, and Finance Committee.

The original university building has 6 floors, with galleries and with some amphitheatre type classrooms.[4] A large Jesuit residence has been constructed nearby. Initially, St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, will continue to be affiliated to Calcutta University.

  Jesuit education