St. Xavier's College, Kolkata

St. Xavier's College (SXC)

Image of the campus

The Campus
Motto Nihil Ultra (Latin)
Motto in English
 Nothing Beyond
Established 16 January 1860
Type Private
Religious affiliation
 Jesuit (Roman Catholic)
Academic affiliation
 University of Calcutta
Rector Dominic Savio S.J.[1]
Principal Felix Raj S.J.[1]
Administrative staff
 550
Students 5,000
Undergraduates 4,500
Postgraduates 500
Location 30, Park Street
Kolkata – 700016
India
(Map)
Campus Urban
Colours Blue and White          
Athletics Track and Field
Sports Basketball, Cricket, Football, Volleyball, Table Tennis
Nickname The Xaverians
Website www.sxccal.edu

St. Xavier's College is a graduate and undergraduate college located in Kolkata, India. Founded in 1860, it is named after St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit saint of the 16th century, who travelled to India. In 2006, it became the first autonomous college in West Bengal, India,[2] and is affiliated to the University of Calcutta. The college is about to become a fully fledged university soon. There are plans to start several new courses, including an MBA, once it is granted the university status.

The college is one of India's best Commerce and Science colleges.[3] It has repeatedly featured on the list of Top Three undergraduate colleges in India, in surveys conducted by both India Today and Nielsen.


History

The Crest has remained the same, since it was undertaken in 1905.

The college was founded in 1860 by the Jesuits, an all-male Catholic religious order formed by Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The college is named after Francis Xavier, the 16th century Spanish Jesuit saint. The founder of the college is Fr. Henri Depelchin . He had overseen most of the ground work, during the foundation years.[4]

Sans Souci Theatre

30 Park Street (now Mother Teresa Sarani), Kolkata-700016, was where the Sans Souci theatre was located, before 1843. A fire broke out in 1843, leaving nothing but ashes. This same address was later bought by 7 Jesuits, who had arrived from Belgium. It is here that the present day campus stands tall.[5]

Foundation Years

Principals
  • Verstraeten, SJ, 1959 -1966
  • Jacques de Bonhome, SJ, 1966–1976
  • Joseph D’ Souza, SJ, 1977–1995
  • P. C. Mathew, SJ, 1995–2008
  • J. Felix Raj, SJ, 2009–present

The present 30, Park Street (Mother Teresa Sarani) address where the College is situated, is an amalgamation of numbers 10 and 11 of Park Street. Premise number 11, was bought for Rs 45,000.00, by Fr. Depelchen. These funds were made possible with the generous donations of the Anglo-Indians and with help from the home Province of Belgium. Park street is located in the heart of Kolkata and is a landmark street in the city, a melting pot of its diverse cultural, culinary, social and intellectual milieu.

The very first class had as few as 40 students. Later, in 1862, two years after its inception, the college was affiliated to the Calcutta University.

The Goethals library deserves a special mention in the history of the institution.

However there was a paucity of funds for expansion work in terms of class rooms and to accommodate the Jesuits fathers. So The Rector appealed to the public of Calcutta in newspapers for generous assistance and was responded with magnanimity by well wishers of the city in 1864. Besides Father Henri Depelchin, S.J., and his assistant, Brother Koppes, S.J., the architect of the new school, went around personally collecting funds. The present imposing 5 storied building was built in an interval of 6 years, from 1934 to 1940 at a cost of Rs 9 lakhs, which was collected partly from the public of Calcutta, assistance from Belgium, and the huge rental received from the American army that occupied the building during the Second World War.[6][7] Expansion of the college has been a ceaseless effort, with a campus slated to come up in Salt Lake City, Kolkata, and a second boys' hostel not far away from the existing one.

Goethals Library

The Goethals library, which is located above the College Chapel, houses some of the oldest periodicals, journals and books. The treasures were inherited by the Jesuit Fathers in 1908, from the then Archbishop of Calcutta, Paul Goethals, S.J. Today, the treasures are well preserved and the library has become a spot of historical significance.

Postal Stamp

A commemorative stamp was issued by the Indian Post on 12 April 1985 depicting the college campus. Thus recognizing the college's contribution to society.[6]

Courses

A Computer Science class in progress.

The college has Morning batch for boys only, that offers the Bachelors of Commerce degree. The Day section of the college houses the Arts and Science departments which offer undergraduate (honours) degrees in various subjects like English, Bengali, Political Science, Sociology, Microbiology, Computer Science, Animation and Multimedia, Mass Communication and Videography, Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry, Physics, and Economics. Masters programs in Commerce (evening session), Biotechnology (integrated 5 year M.Sc), Physics, Microbiology and Education are housed in the college along with the co-educational Bachelors of Commerce and Bachelors of Business Administration programs.[8]

The college, in its first ever foreign collaboration, has entered into a tie-up with the University of Manitoba, Canada. The MOU was unveiled on 4 Feb 2008 by the principal of the college, Father PC Mathew and the dean of the faculty of food and agricultural sciences at Manitoba University, Professor Michael Trevan.[9]

Infrastructure

The Classroom
The Library

The college classes are spread over four floors across two buildings. There are over 50 classrooms, half a dozen audio-visual rooms and three computer laboratories, each with a capacity to seat over 70 people.

The college also has well-equipped physics, chemistry and biotechnology laboratories to support the requirements of their respective departments; the Mass Communication and Videography department has a video library to assist its film students. The Central Library, spread over two floors, houses reference books from a gamut of different subjects, in addition to numerous periodicals, again from diverse fields; scientific journals and archives are also available as are books on fiction. The auditorium, equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, has a seating capacity of over 800 people. The football, and basketball courts are located behind the main college building and are shared between the college students and the students of St. Xavier's Collegiate School, the secondary section of which is housed in an adjacent flank of the college building.

The very popular and historic, Green Benches.

Hangouts

The canteen, the "Green Benches" - a popular student hangout area and Fr. Joris's Corner- an in-house stationery shop, are located parallel to the sports grounds. These are very heavily buzzing places during off periods and breaks.[10]

The "Green Benches" has become the best place, in the campus, for hanging out and having fun. The spot has a city wide reputation, for socializing and indulging in 'intelligent talks' with class mates.

Cultural Events

Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, in the campus to promote their film Barfi.

The college has a culture of festivals- inter- and intra-college that span its academic calendar; that apart, the college campus and auditorium are often chosen as venues by outsider parties, in collaboration with the college, to host discussions and events. The NDTV debate on the Rizwanur Rahman episode is a case in point.[11] The college has also played host to numerous celebrity guests:

Convocation - Keynote Speakers

Community and Clubs

Apart from doing service to the community in the educational sphere, St. Xavier's is also involved in the environmental issues, youth welfare, women's welfare and poverty reduction.

The college has an elected non-political student body called St. Xavier's College Student Union (SXCSU) which co-ordinates all the cultural activities on the campus.

The college also has many active clubs, which are aimed at building leadership, creativity and managerial qualities in students. A list of clubs and societies are mentioned below:[12]

Few of the many societies and cells at St. Xavier's

Sports and Festivals

The 110 meter hurdles underway, during Sports Day.
Intra-College basketball competition.

The college has facilities for playing sports like: Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Cricket, Table Tennis, Badminton, Caroom and Foosball. These games are played throughout the year at both intra-college and inter-college levels.

A sports day is organised, every year in December. Students of the college, compete in various track and field events, on this day, amidst huge audiences from all over the city.

St.Xavier's College has some of the best festivals at the Undergraduate level in the country.

St.Xavier's is the only English medium college to have separate festivals for Hindi and Bengali.

Publications

Spread of three magazines.

A list of magazines that college students publish every year. These magazines are widely appreciated in academic circles:

Philanthropy and social activities

St.Xavier's College indulges in many social activities.

The college has adopted several villages in West Bengal. It funds for the building of proper infrastructure in these villages. It also provides food and shelter to the needy residing in these villages. The whole activity is funded by the students and alumni members. This project is called Prayas and was started by Rev. Felix Raj, S.J, the principal of the college.[23]

The college has a tie up with the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy (IICP) . Students of the college go to teach the special children of IICP every week.[24]

Village to College Camp, the social service festival is held annually in early January. Underprivileged children are brought to the college campus from nearby villages and slums for a fun filled day of activity and entertainment. The children are provided with free meals and gifts. This festival is organized by the National Service Scheme (NSS).[25]

Alumni Association (SXCAA)

SXCAA Committee members 2012-13

The college has a very active Alumni Association with the Principal of the college as its President.[26] The association supports the college in several projects by extending financial and managerial assistance. SXCAA is registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act.[27] It was the first alumni association in Kolkata to be granted 80G Certification from the Income Tax Department. Thus acknowledging SXCAA's philanthropic activities.

SXCAA,off late, has been expanding its reach to ex-students, by opening chapters of itself, in several cities around the world. Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Singapore, London, Dubai, New York, Dhaka, Australia are some of the latest additions.[28]

Project 'Lakshaya' was launched by the college to invite donations from alumni members to fund a new campus.[29] The college was allotted 16 acres of land, at Rajarhat (New Town), by the West Bengal government, for the new campus. The plot of land will cost a subsidized 64 crores.[30]

Rankings

St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, all India Rankings
Department/Course 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
Commerce/B.Com 1st[31] 2nd[32] 1st[33] 2nd[34] 3rd[34] 4th[35] 4th[36]
Science/BSc 4th[37] 3rd[38] 5th[39] 3rd[40] 5th[41] 2nd[40] 8th[41]
Arts/BA 5th[37] 7th[42] 5th[43] 5th[43] 9th[44] 5th[44] 6th[44]

Notable alumni

India

Business

Sports

Academics

Politics and government

Diplomats

Arts and Entertainment

Writers

Science

Other

Pakistan

Bangladesh

Nepal

Notable faculty

St. Xavier's has benefited from the services of prominent faculty and professors whose teachings have influenced generations of students

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Aministration". St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  2. ↑ sxccal.edu Autonomous Notice Retrieved on 4 February 2008
  3. ↑ indiatoday.intoday.in
  4. ↑ Foundation of SXC
  5. ↑ History of the institution
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 indianpost.com commemorative stamp Retrieved on 4 February 2008
  7. ↑ sxccal.edu history Retrieved on 6 February 2008
  8. ↑ "List of Courses".
  9. ↑ economictimes.indiatimes.com tie-up with The University of Manitoba Retrieved on 6 February 2008
  10. ↑ "Pictures and description of infrastructure".
  11. ↑ The Rizwanur Debate on NDTV
  12. ↑ "List of clubs and societies".
  13. ↑ Leadership Training Service (LTS) Official Website
  14. ↑ SXC Placement Cell Official Blog
  15. ↑ Xavotsav
  16. ↑ Inertia
  17. ↑ Insignia reference
  18. ↑ Xavier's Management Convention(XMC)
  19. ↑ Vividha
  20. ↑ Xaverian Magazine
  21. ↑ Youthink Journal
  22. ↑ Eco Echoes Journal
  23. ↑ Prayas
  24. ↑ IICP association
  25. ↑ Village to College Camp
  26. ↑ SXCAA
  27. ↑ SXCAA Official Site
  28. ↑ SXCAA Chapters
  29. ↑ Project Lakshaya
  30. ↑ New campus cost
  31. ↑ "2012 India Today Rankings". Indiatoday.intoday.in.
  32. ↑ "Lady Shri Ram College for Women Best Arts Colleges 2011 India Today Survey". Indiatoday.intoday.in. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  33. ↑ SXC, the best Commerce college
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "India Today Rankings". 8 July 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  35. ↑ Maheshwari, Shruti (4 June 2007). "India Today". India Today. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  36. ↑ Bali, Pallavi (5 June 2006). "India Today". India Today. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "2012 India Today Rankings". Indiatoday.intoday.in.
  38. ↑ "Lady Shri Ram College for Women Best Arts Colleges 2011 India Today Survey". Indiatoday.intoday.in. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  39. ↑ http://media2.intoday.in/microsites/bestcolleges/Science_2010.pdf
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "15 year toppers in Science colleges : Best Colleges: India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "India Today". Specials.indiatoday.com. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  42. ↑ "Lady Shri Ram College for Women Best Arts Colleges 2011 India Today Survey". Indiatoday.intoday.in. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 http://media2.intoday.in/microsites/bestcolleges/Arts_2010.pdf
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 "India Today". Specials.indiatoday.com. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  45. ↑ http://alsoc.in/distinguished-alumni/
  46. ↑ http://www.haata.com/ex-envoy-at-xavier%E2%80%99s-reunion/
  47. ↑ http://www.tatamotors.com/investors/annualreports-pdf/Annual-Report-2010.pdf
  48. ↑ "Aki Narula:Biography". indobase.
  49. ↑ "Abhishek Poddar". The Arts Trust.

External links

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