Mita Mukherjee
St. Xavier’s University, New Town, Kolkata will soon introduce a number of new and “relevant” courses to meet the demands of students, Father John Felix Raj, vice-chancellor of the univetsity said.
The university will introduce two years LLM, B.Tech, BSc with data science keeping in pace with the ” ever-changing industry- academia dynamics”, said Father Felix Raj who celebrates 50 years of his priesthood and stay in Kolkata.
The University is also planning to start B.Tech with specialisation in artificial intelligence and machine language. An array of courses in designs both for undergraduates and post-graduates in collaboration with IIT Kharagpur.
“The initiative to open so many new-age courses will ensure quality education. This will also stop exodus of students from Bengal,” the vice-chancellor said. Students of Bengal had been leaving the state to pursue education in institutions in other states and the exodus is still a matter of concern of the state government.
Hundreds of seats at almost every college in Bengal are lying vacant in most subjects even this year as there are no takers. The opening of new courses is expected to prevent the exodus and attract meritorious students to the state, the vice-chancellor said.
In order to ensure the high academic standards maintained by the institution ever since it’s inception in 2017, the university has undertaken an initiative for further expansion of the campus as more space will be required after implementation of the new courses.
The university will approach chief minister Mamata Banerjee to allot additional 10 acre plot for setting up new buildings. The expansion is part of the institute’s Vision- 2050 which aims to introduce more new-age courses and upgrade academic standard of the institution.
A new academic building with 200 classrooms is set to become operational from 2025. Xavier Law School with 1000 students will be shifted to the new building.
The vice-chancellor expressed gratitude to chief minister, Mamata Banerjee and the state government for establishing the Mother Teresa Chair for Peace. Professor, Dr. Zinia Mitra, Professor of English of North Bengal University has been appointed as chair professor. The chair professor has already started her research projects on “Peace Studies.” She will be offering optional courses on peace studies. The appointment for the post of chair professor is for one year.
The sixth convocation of the university will be held on February 15. Around 860 students are graduating this year and will be receiving their degrees including eight PhD scholars. The Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, Justice I. P. Mukherjee will attend the occasion as chief guest.
