THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Dec 18: St Xavier’s College, Ranchi today observed its Annual Day, in which a report regarding the achievements and works done by the premier college of Jharkhand was placed before a function presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dharmendra Kumar Singh, and attended by professors, parents and students.
Presenting the Annual Day report, Principal of the college Fr Dr. Robert Pradeep Kujur, noted that the academic year 2024-25 had been filled with large number of achievements that included Memorandum of Agreements (MoUs) with various government departments, institutes and colleges.
Also, a good number of students had been given Annual Merit Prizes. The year also witnessed as many as 14 former students clearing JPSC examinations and joining state’s administrative service.
Fr Robert Pradeep Kujur pointed out that the MoUs that the college has signed, and in many cases fulfilled the works included MoUs with Fifth State Planning Commission of Jharkhand, Other Backward Classes (OBC) Commission, University of Antwerp (Institute of Development Policy), Belgium, IIT Bhubaneshwar, Pune Institute of Management, National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology among others.
The college is collaborating with the Fifth Finance Commission of Jharkhand. Under the collaboration, the college would undertake Economic Survey of Jharkhand. The college also is tasked to spread awareness among students about Panchayati Raj system and how it works.
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On the other hand, the Finance Commission would be availing necessary data to the students of the college, particularly those pursuing M.A. courses in subjects like Economics and Political Sciences to come up with their research works and write Dissertations. Dissertation, which is a research work, is a partial requirement for the fulfilment of the degree of Masters under a university system.
As for the college’s MoU with the OBC Commission, the college worked in collaboration with the Commission to draw up a method to determine the reservation percentage for the OBCs in the upcoming Urban Local Body elections.
According the Prof Dheerajmani Pathak of Department of Economics, the college has completed the assignments in this regard and submitted a report—named Triple Test Report, to the OBC Commission in November.
A few days back, Principal Fr Robert Pradeep Kujur led a delegation to University of Antwerp, Belgium to explore space for academic and research and collaborations in social justice and ecology.
“The academic year 2024-25 has been quite eventful for St Xavier’s College, Ranchi. During the year, the college has strengthened its academic frameworks, expanded student-centric initiatives, and enhanced its alignments with contemporary education reforms,” Fr Robert Pradeep noted in his annual report.
Fr Robert Pradeep also spoke of the rich infrastructure in the campus. He pointed out that the campus today has alternative source of energy, e-waste management system, digital boards etc. An incubation centre also has been planned in St Xavier’s College campus.
“The college has produced one Cardinal, many bishops, scientists, professors, scientists, businessmen. We have a placement cell that works efficiently in association with firms that need skilled persons for employment,” he added.
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Vice Chancellor Prof. Singh appreciated the rich legacy of St Xavier’s College and pointed out that many alumni members are today in top positions of the society and governments. “Your alumni is a big resource. The legacy of the college is rich,” Prof Singh said.
Addressing students, the Vice Chancellor pointed out that the advanced technology today can give information, but it is only a teacher who can transform the life of a student. To the teachers, Prof Singh said the teacher of the 21 st century has to become a guide, a co-ordinator for the students. The New Education Policy (NEP) too envisages this.
As per the annual day report, the college provided 37 annual merit prizes to toppers and meritorious students of different departments. These prizes and awards, named after noted persons of Jharkhand, are usually sponsored by family members of different notable persons.
The college also has registered an association for its old students. Named Association of Ranchi Old Xavierians (AROX), ex-students who now serve the society in various capacities are members in it.
The college also has initiated as many 54 add-on courses in the on-going academic year which help students to gain hands-on technical skills that help them either to begin a start-up or take up jobs in various firms that need employees.
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The annual day function of the college was attended by Raj Kumar Gupta, Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education and Technical Education of Government of Jharkhand.
Provincial of the Jesuits Fr Ajit Xess, Rector of the college Fr Sudhir Kumar Minz, professors and parents took part in the annual day function.
Fr Ajit Xess said that St Xvier’s College, Ranchi has received suggestions from various corners including the Ranchi University Vice Chancellor to go for Xavier University. “We have taken the advice seriously. We have even forwarded a proposal for setting up of a university to Rome. We are waiting for their response,” Fr Ajit Xess said.
