Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has accepted the proposal of Calcutta University vice-chancellor (V-C) Suranjan Das to upgrade St Xavier’s College and accord it university status. Ms Banerjee also asked the V-C to prepare a blue print to turn this elite autonomous institution as a centre of excellence. These developments took place during the Fifth Convocation and Valedictory Programme of the college in Kolkata on Friday.
Acting on the wishes of the chief minister, the St Xavier’s College authorities added Ms Banerjee as an associate member of the alumni association of the college.
The chief minister in turn assured to extend all cooperation to this premiere academic institution for its upgradation into an university.
“I also want this institute to be recognised as a centre of excellence just like the Calcutta University which ranks fourth in the country. We need to set up more institutes of excellence and education hub to promote the state’s academic environment and enlighten the future of our next generation,” Ms Banerjee said during her speech at the convocation.
Meanwhile, principal of the college Rev. Father Felix Raj sought 25 acres of land for the expansion of the college campus.