The Principal s Report 2016

Transcription

1 The Principal s Report 2016 Hon ble Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee, Respected Provincial, Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy, S.J. Prof. Ashutosh Ghosh, Hon ble Vice Chancellor of the University of Calcutta,Rev. Fr. Rector Dr. Dominic Savio S.J, Vice Principals, Member Secretary, Academic Council, Members of the staff, teaching and support, Alumni/ae, benefactors, parents, well-wishers, friends, and my dear students, I wish you all a happy and joyous New Year May the Almighty bless us abundantly! On behalf of all of you, let me extend a warm welcome to our very special Nihil Ultra Awardee for 2017, the Hon ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Ms. Mamata Banerjee. It is my pleasant duty this afternoon to place before you the Annual Report of St. Xavier s College for the year The 9th Convocation and Valedictory Function of St. Xavier s College (Autonomous) was held on Saturday, 16th January, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.on the College Grounds. Shri Partha Chatterjee, Hon ble Minister in Charge, Department of Higher Education was the Chief Guest for the occasion and delivered the Valedictory Address. The Hon ble Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University, Dr. Sugata Marjit delivered the Convocation address and conferred the degrees on the 2123 graduating out (both UG & PG) students of the College. The Nihil Ultra Awardee was Prof. Albert Cardinal Gomes. Rev. Fr. Jeyraraj Veluswamy S.J., Provincial, gave the welcome address and Fr. Dominic Savio S.J., Rector proposed the vote of thanks. The Convocation Ceremony concluded on a successful note. Thanks to Prof. Panchali Sen, Convener of the Convocation Committee and her team for their efficient organisation of the programme. Congratulations to the following staff members (2 teaching & 4 support staff) who have completed 25 years of service in the Collegeas on 31/12/2016. Teaching Staff: Sl Name of Faculty Dt. of appointment Length of service 1 Prof. Bipra Kumar Das years & 10 months 2 Prof. Sarbari Guha years & 10 months Support Staff: Sl Name of Support Staff Dt. of appointment Length of service 1 Mr. Biplab Kumar Biswas years & 6 months 2 Mr. Bijoy Das years & 10 months 3 Mr. Lancelot U. Collins years & 2 months 4 Mr. Sanjay Phulmali years & 2 months Three of our faculty members have retired from service during Our heartfelt thanks and best wishes to all of them for their dedicated and committed service to St. Xavier s College. Sl Name of Faculty Length of Service 1 Prof. Ashis Mitra 34 years & 2 months 2 Prof. Swapan Banerjee 36 years & 11 months 3 Prof. Ashis Siddhanta 33 years & 6 months Academic Excellence: I congratulate all the 1972 under-graduates, post-graduates and B.Ed. students who receive their degrees today. May you be men and women for others. My congratulations to all the students who have performed well academically and have acquired ranks Xaverian 2017

2 These students will be rewarded with gold medals today. This year, the College had 7 Ph.D. Recipients from among our Professors. Congratulations to all of them! SL NAME & DEPARTMENT DATE 1. Dr. Supriyo Patra (B.B.A. Department) 25/01/ Dr. Tridib Sengupta (Commerce Morning) 25/02/ Dr. Amitava Roy (Commerce Morning) 24/08/ Dr. Maitreyi Sanyal Chakrabarti (Sociology) 09/09/ Dr. Saugata Mitra (B.Com. Evening) 01/09/ Dr. Bedanta Bose (B.B.A.) 08/11/ Dr. Samrat Roy (Economics, Commerce Morning) 13/12/2016 Ph.D. Programme: The Ph.D. Program has begun in St. Xavier s College. The Ph.D. Regulations of St. Xavier s College (Autonomous), have been revised according to the UGC regulations of July, The College website has opened a Ph.D. Section with appropriate links that will lead on to updated information and new announcements regarding the Ph.D. Program. On the 15th of November 2016, St. Xavier s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, enrolled its first batch of students for the Ph.D. Program. A total of fifteen out of the seventeen students who had been counselled, finally enrolled for the course.there were six students each from Commerce and Microbiology, two students from Biotechnology and one student from Physics. The Ph.D. course-work began from December, Research Projects & Scholars: From January to December 2016, 10 Major Research Projects & 8 Minor Research Projects funded by different agencies Rev. Fr. Franz Goreaux Central Research Facility Xaverian

3 amounting to Rs 2.74 crores have been undertaken by faculties of different departments. Congratulations to all the teachers who are involved in the research projects. During 2016 a total of 34 Research Scholars are working under the guidance of our Professors in different departments of the College. Publication: Books / Articles / Journals: 7 books and 6 edited chapters in books were published by faculties during the year. 49 national and 10 international articles by our Professors have been published in different national and international journals. Congratulations to all! The various Departments and Societies have published the following magazines/journals. Research Journals and Magazines: Aviskaar: A multi-disciplinary Xaverian Journal of Research Magis: Xaverian Journal of Education. Ode to Expression: Magazine of the English Academy. Eduvision: Magazine of the Department of Education. Chiasma: Magazine of the Department of Biotechnology. DNA: Magazine of the Department of Microbiology. Horizon: Magazine of the Department of Physics. Beacon: Magazine of the Department of Mathematics. Prokarsho: Magazine of the Department of Statistics. Eco Echoes: Magazine of the Department of Economics. Young Sociologist: Journal of the Department of Sociology. X-ecutive: Magazine of the Departmentof BBA. You Think: Magazine of the Department of Commerce. Kadam: Magazine of the NSS Department. Book entitled Dodo Kothai Tui (ISBN: ) authored by Dr. Priyanka De, Dept. of Biotechnology. Congratulations to the staff and students who were involved in these publications. Choice Based Credit System: The B.A, B.Sc, B.Com and B.B.A courses are three-yearly major programmes spread over six semesters. The curriculum has been designed to offer the restricted choice-based credit system. The curriculum includes the configuration of courses, major, ancillary, compulsory. It adopts a grading policy which reports academic performance in terms of marks along with SGPA and CGPA. All the departments have been deliberating upon a syllabus revision for implementation in July 2017 as per the requirement of autonomous Colleges to revise and update syllabi in three year s circles. Achievements/Awards to Teachers/Students Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj S.J. w a s a w a r d e d t h e prestigious SIKSHA RATNA SAMMAN 2016 by the State Government of West B e n g a l a n d h e w a s conferred with this award on Teachers Day at Nazrul Mancha on 5th September 2016 at 1:00 p.m Xaverian 2017

4 Dr. Supriyo Patro from the BBA Department of the College received the Best Research Paper Award in Marketing Track in Prof. Ananya Chakraborty, faculty of the MCV Department of the College has been appointed as the Chairperson of West Bengal Commission for the Protection of Child Rights. Admissions : Admissions for the academic session to various courses including the COP and Computer Centre courses were conducted smoothly and efficiently. The Department of Education admitted100 students with one more additional unit of 50 students. A total number of 2727 students were admitted in the UG courses. A total number of 356 students were admitted in the PG courses. A total number of 487 students were admitted in the COP courses. A total number of 69 students were admitted in the Computer Centre Courses. I extend my gratitude to all the Vice Principals, HODs, Coordinators, Professors and the respective Offices for their full co-operation and committed services in executing the admission process smoothly and efficiently. Our Strengths St. Xavier s College now has a total strength of 289 teaching staff and 280 support staff and 8297 students (UG:7043, PG:600; B.Ed.: 150, Other courses:487). Courses at St. Xavier s College: St. Xavier s College runs: 17 UG, 6 PG and 1 B.Ed. courses; 6 Certificate and 5PG Diploma Coursesand 2 Diploma Courses IAS Guidance Classes 4 Ph.D. Programmes I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank Prof. Ashis St. Xavier s University Campus, Rajarhat Xaverian

5 Mitra, Professor in Charge of COP, Prof. Asoke Nath and Prof. Shalabh Agarwal of Computer Centre, Prof. S.K. Basu, Coordinator of the IAS Guidance Centre and Prof. (Dr.) Tapati Dutta for their dedication and efficient co-ordination of these courses. New Heads of Departments: The following HODs assumed office from July 1, SL NAME DEPARTMENT 1. Dr. Suchandana Bhattacharya English 2. Dr. Sanjib Ganguly Chemistry 3. Dr. Ankur Roy Lab-in-Charge (Chemistry) 4. Dr. Soma Ghosh Physics 5. Dr. Farhat Bano Political Science 6. Prof. Rajib Choudhury Bengali 7. Dr. Jhumpa Mukherjee B.A. General 8. Mrs. Santa Ghosal Commerce (Evening) 9. Mr. Saptarshi Roy Commerce (Evening) Our heartfelt thanks to the outgoing HODs for their generous and committed service. A warm welcome to the new HODs and we wish them all the best in their new assignment! Faculty Development/Orientation Programme: An orientation programme for all faculty was organized for two days: On 7th July, 2016, for the faculty of B.Com. (Morning & Evening), B.B.A. & M.Com. Departments. On 8th July 2016, for the faculty of Arts, Science & B.Ed. Depts. The Resource Person was Rev. Dr. Xavier Alphonse S.J. (Former UGC member). Various Major Programmes held during the year: Xavotsav 2016 was held for three days, from 22nd to 24th January Thanks to the Students Council for organising the Xavotsav. Beyond Barriers 2016, the annual fund-raising programme organised by the Alumni Association was held on 26th January The legendary playback singer, Asha Bhonsle was the star attraction of the occasion. The Alumni Association has contributed Rs.15 lakhs to the College. The annual Sports Day of the College was held on Saturday, 6th February, 2016 from 12:00 noon onwards. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Shri Rajeev Kumar IPS, Commissioner of Police, Kolkata. The Departmental Parade including the contingency of the alumni/ae made the Sports Day grand and colourful. Thanks to Mrs. Feroza Mogrelia and her Sports Team for the wonderful organization of the Sports Day. Shishu Mela 2016, the annual event for the underprivileged children, organized by the Social Service Department of the College and co-ordinated by the NSS students was held on 14th February, 2016 on the College Grounds. The Chief Guest on this occasion was Smt. Chandrima Bhattacharya, Minister of State for Law, Health & Family Welfare. This year about 950 children from 9 villages and 8 NGOs participated in the Shishu Mela. St. Xavier s College under the Prayas scheme has adopted 9 villages in South 24 Parganas. I thank Ms. Cheryl Francis and the NSS Team for the wonderful organization of the Shishu Mela. The Bengali Literary Society (BLS) of the College organized the7th International annual event, titled Xavullash 2016 on 20th& 21st February 2016 marking the occasion of International Vernacular Day. The occasion was special as the BLS and St. Xavier s College (Calcutta) Alumni Association organised a Torch Light Rally for integrity and peace titled Sanyog from Bangladesh to India. The event was a grand success. Congratulations to the BLS Team along with the alumni association of the College Xaverian 2017

6 Sports Department: As in each year the Sports Department of the College has been striving forward with our students participating and performing well at the Inter College, Inter Varsity, State and National level. Thirty four students of St. Xavier s College represented Calcutta University this year, also winning medals in various zonal and All India University events. Over twenty students represented the State this year with commendable performances. Winning the Inter College Rowing Championship, the Xaverians Women s Basketball team being ranked 2nd in the State Championship, the Men s Basketball team being winners in the state level tournament, the Football team emerging runners up in the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports College Football tournament and the Men s Hockey team continuing their run in First Division for the tenth consecutive year would be some noteworthy achievements of our students. The Sports Department has embraced into their activities, students of our two other campuses who have come forward enthusiastically to continue this glorious sporting tradition of the College. NCC: Seven NCC cadets from St. Xavier s College will be participating in the Republic Day Function in Delhi. Physical Expansion / New Campuses: Park Street Campus Expansion The renovation work of the main auditorium is complete. The new sound system installed in the auditorium and the aesthetic look of the auditorium is appreciated by all. The parapet/sunshade replacement work is also complete in the front side of the College building. The new landscape maps have been installed in three places front, back and Central Library gates respectively. The canteen at the Education Department is being enlarged with some green benches for students to sit and relax. Rajarhat Campus The Rajarhat campus is getting ready. Work is in going on in full progress. The Jesuit Residence and Academic Block are almost complete. Piling work of the Library and Research building, Girls Hostel, Boys Hostel and Utility Building are in progress. Thanks to Fr. Arulappan S.J., the Minister for his smooth and efficient co-ordination of the work. Xaverian

7 St. Xavier s College, Raghabpur Campus A new building at Raghabpur is under construction. It may be completed by the end of March 2017 and we hope to shift classes to the new building by June We congratulate the State Government for the sanction of the plan for a Road which would connect the Main Road to Raghabpur campus. The Road is under construction. EMMRC Building at E-M By Pass (Ajoy Nagar) The EMMRC building construction work in Ajoy Nagar is complete. Some modification is being done with regard to electrical work due to the need of high voltage. The equipment committee appointed by Fr. Principal has purchased the equipments for upgradation of the studio. It is hoped that the Centre will be shifted from Circus Avenue to E-M By Pass by June WIFI & ID Card Generation in the Campus: The WIFI has been introduced in the campus for all at St. Xavier s. Staff and Students have to register themselves at the Computer Centre for WIFI facilities. The College has introduced in-house ID Card generation with live capture of data, photo and signature. Exchange Programmes & MoUs/Collaborations: The International exchange programme headed by Prof. Dr. Panchali Sen highlights the global face of the college has been a busy academic year of the International Exchange Department, characterized by successfully running academic programmes. Mr. Marcus West from Trinity College Dublin completed his one-year exchange programme in June 2016 and returned to his College. Dr. Rafael Lizut from College of Media Studies and Culture, Torun, Poland visited the Department of Political Science as an exchange faculty from 29th July to 14th August, He delivered eight hours of lecture to the final year students of the Dept. of Political Science Xaverian 2017

8 Prof. Indranil Bose, Dept. of Political Science attended an International Congress hosted by the College of Media Studies and Culture Forum, Poland on Problems of Contemporary Politics : Military Conflicts and Terrorism on March 11 and 12, A group of 12 students from College of St. Benedict/ St. John s University, Minnesota, USA completed one semester course in St. Xavier s College and returned to their University in May students along with Ms. Cheryl Francis, Director, NSS visited College of St. Benedict/ St. John s University, Minnesota, USA in October Ten students and one faculty are due to visit St. Xavier s College for the next semester, January 2017 June Ms. Cheryl Francis also visited University of Fordham, USA. A group of twelve students will be visiting St. Xavier s College in January 2017 for participating in a Service Learning Programme for 7 days. Prof. Suzanne Loret from University of Namur, Belgium visited St. Xavier s College to conduct a course on Bio- Safety and Laboratory practices from 5th to 10th September, This is also a part of faculty exchange with UNamur. Students and a Professors from the Departments of Microbiology and Biotechnology attended the course. Ms. Maitreyee Ghosal, 1st year student of M Sc. Microbiology is currently in Namur for a one-year exchange programme sponsored under the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. Ms. Mitrashi Das, BBA, Semester-V student was selected for the Global UGrad Programme sponsored by the Department of State, USA for the Fall 2016 Semester (August-December, 2016). She completed studying at Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Currently we have on campus two students from Burundi, Mr. Johnson Irambona and Mr. Hypax Clavis Habuwiteka studying Statistics and Computer Science Major respectively. They have been sponsored by St. Xavier s College. An MOU has been signed on 18th November, 2016 with Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Both institutions have agreed to establish Student and Faculty exchange programme to promote academic and cultural linkages, enrichment and understanding. A National Level MOU was signed between St. Xavier s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, and Loyola College of Education, Jamshedpur, Loyola College of Education, Mamchi on 30th January, At the National Level, a MOU has been signed on 12th September, 2016 with Loyola Academy Degree and PG College, Alwal, Secunderabad. Alumni Chapters / Conventions / Assistance: St. Xavier s College Alumni Association integrally involved in the holistic development of the institution. The Alumni organizes a plurality of successful programmes. Beyond Boundaries 2016 was organised in Toronto, Canada from May, 2016) throughout the year. An Alumni Meet was organised in Los Angeles from May, T h e a l u m n i h a d a meeting in London. The Principal attended the meeting. Tea Meet: The Women s Forum had organised a Tea Meet on 19th November, The programme was in tune with the Jesuit charism of preferential option for the poor. The Women s Forum had invited an NGO named Antyoday Anath Ashram working for the abandoned children. These children performed in the cultural programme. The alumni association gave each member a gift hamper and some financial support. Christmas Gathering: A Christmas Gathering was Xaverian

9 organised on 23rd December 2016 in the College by the alumni association. It was a privilege to have the Hon ble Chief Minister of West Bengal with us. Students Council: The AGM of the Students Body was held on 27th July, There were around 110 CRs (Class Representatives) and 10 Society Secretaries. 120 students were present for the AGM. The members voted and elected the new Committee for Srijan Bag of Economics Department was elected as the General Secretary and Jyoti Bihani of the B.Com. (Evening) Department was elected the Assistant General Secretary. Other working committee members were nominated by the different departments. Deputy President: Prof. Romit Beed Vice Deputy Presidents: 1. Prof. Sougata Banerjee 2. Prof. Soma Nath 3. Prof. Ritendra Roy Welcome to the new team. Carry on the good job! The St. Xavier s University The St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, Bill, 2016, was unanimously passed in the West Bengal Assembly on 15th December 2016 paving the way for setting up the University at Rajarhat. It is a historic moment for all Jesuits in Bengal, and St. Xavier's in particular. I would put on record my sincere thanks to and appreciation of the Chief Minister of West Bengal Smt. Mamata Banerjee, the Government of West Bengal and all the legislators for being supportive to our cause. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was at St. Xavier's on December 23rd evening for the College's annual Christmas Meet. She played Santa Claus to Xavier's promising an annual funding of Rs 7 crores to the new St. Xavier's University. She also announced the allotment of four and a half acres of land to St. Xavier's College in Asansol. "Our congratulations to St. Xavier's and to Fr. Felix Raj for the new university. The foundation stone has already been laid and a lot of money has been spent to get it going. It is a very big project. I was asking Father how much would be spent on salaries of staff," Mamata said. She then announced with a magician - like flourish: "I can give you a little something. On behalf of our Government, we will give Rs 7 crore annually for the pay package." A regular guest at the Christmas meet hosted by the Alumni Association of the College, Mamata had played Santa's role in 2012 when she handed over a formal letter to Fr. Felix Raj allocating 16.4 acres of land at Rajarhat for St. Xavier's University. Fr. Felix Raj, Principal of the College, thanked the Chief Minister and the State Government for passing the St. Xavier's University Bill 2016 unanimously in the Assembly. "This sanction is a test, a challenge to all of us. It is a journey of commitment, concern and credibility towards reaching excellence in higher education. We pledge to honour it and raise it to the greater glory of God and to the welfare of the State of Bengal," he said. Rector Fr. Dominic Savio said an opening prayer invoking Xaverian 2017

10 God's blessings on all gathered at the meet. Provincial Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy thanked the Chief Minister and her Government for the Christmas gift in the form of the St. Xavier's University. On behalf of the Alumni Association, Firdausul Hasan, the Honorary Secretary presented a statue of Mother Mary with Child Jesus, made in Ausgram, Burdwan. "The vision 2020 of Fr. Felix Raj is becoming a reality. We shall continue to assist our St. Xavier" s University to emerge as one of the centres of excellence in the country, "said Hasan. The College choir consisting of students from the Department of Education and XADAM sang melodious carols and hymns as the Chief Minister and others cut a Christmas cake. The Chief Minister offered cake to all on the dais. R I P We fondly remember: 1. Fr. Joseph Mani, S.J.(former St. Xavier s Campus Administrator & Minister) 2. Fr. Matthew Schillings S.J. (former Professor of French) 3. Fr. Alphonse Crasta S.J. (former teacher of St. Xavier s Collegiate School) 4. Fr. Paul Detienne S.J. (former Bengali Scholar) 5. Prof. Dinabandhu Mukherjee (retired Professor & Dean of Education) 6. Dr. Moloy Banerjee, Retired Professor, Dept. of Political Science. May their souls rest in peace! We express our deep condolences to their family members. Let me conclude with my sincere gratitude to all GB Members, Vice Principals, Member Secretary, IQAC Co-ordinator, Deans, teaching faculty, support staff, alumni/ae, parents, wellwishers, friends and benefactors for their whole-hearted cooperation and support. Let our service continue to bring joy to many many people in the spirit of Jesuit Magis. NIHIL ULTRA! St. Xavier s University Campus, Rajarhat Xaverian