In November 1859 a small band of seven Belgian Jesuits landed in Calcutta and under the leadership of Fr. H. Depelchin, started their educational activities on 16th January 1860, in a building at 10 Park Street, which since 1840 had been the famous Sana Souci Theatre. These were very humble beginnings, with only about 40 students spread over three classes.
Two years later in 1862, the college was affiliated to the Calcutta University. Amongst the many alumni of its existence, St. Xavier's can be boast of some of its pupils who became world famous in later years. Men of great wisdom, intellect and scholarships have passed through the portals of the college. Notable amongst the luminaries are Rabindranath Tagore & Jagdish Chandra Basu.
In his autobiography, Tagore wrote ''I shall always retain one memory of St. Xavier's, the memory of its teachers.'' What Tagore wrote long ago is also true today, the relationships between teachers and students is still something unique.
Jagdish Chandra Basu, found encouragements and guidance for his introductions to science in the person of Fr. E. Lafont, who became Rector of the College in 1871. Fr. Lafont, a remarkable teacher in science, had a knack of popularising science and did much so, that, he was called 'the father' of science in India'.
Fr. Lafont's initiative and enthusiasm soon made St. Xavier's famous for its science teaching and experimental work, a tradition which has been maintained upto the present day. Over the years the college has grown in size. In the last 25 years the number of students has increased from 3503 to 5326 of whom 1841 are in school and 3435 are in the college. The college has a total teaching staff of 187.
The school section starting from the Primary, leads upto the Secondary School level. The college has four faculties: Arts, Commerce, Science and teacher's Training; providing Degree and Honours courses. Importance of professional and employment - oriented education is recognised and the Department of Commerce with a strength of 2000 students completes class early in the morning in order to enable the students to join their work during the day.
The Teachers Training Department caters to the demand for trained teachers in Bengali, Hindi and English medium schools in the eastern region. The college now has become co-educational in the Honours courses of Arts, Science and in the Teacher's training Department. This new venture has proved quite successful in raising the overall academic levels of the institution. St. Xavier's has always been known for its cosmopolitan and all India character.
The students, as they do coming from all over India, with diverse backgrounds of language, culture and religion live in complete harmony and understanding, and learn to look beyond local and group affinities, toward loyalties to the country and to the society at large.
To the young scholars entrusted to its care, the college endeavours to impart an education based on the spirit of its founder St. Ignatius (1491-1556). The Ignatian vision of education goes far beyond the achievement of academic excellence.
It includes a radical change of heart in the person of the educated and of the educator, turning them from selfish concerns to unreserved generosity to God and to their fellow men; it is characterised by an inner liberation of the spirit, making him truly free and mature, capable of assuming whatever responsibility is imposed on him.
In India's struggle for the establishment of a just society, all educational institutions should aim at making their contribution toward radical transformation of present day social conditions, a transformation where principles of social justice, equality of opportunity, genuine freedom, respect for religious and moral values enshrined in the Constitution of India may prevail and the possibility of living a fully human existence may be open before all.
St Xavier's College in Kolkata is usually a buzz of activity. There's always something or the other happening on campus - a sports meet or a rock fest, or even a social awareness programme.No wonder, then, that the college has moved from being the ''puppy-dom'' of the city to a serious contender for academic excellence, in humanities, science and commerce. If SXC was an industrial house, commerce would be its flagship company.
For many years now, St Xavier's commerce faculty has been designated the best in the city -and not just because of the students it churns out (L.N. Mittal, S.K. Birla , Aditya Birla ,Aveek Sarkar,Vijay Mallya etc.are alumni). The department, which has a whopping 600 students - only boys, unfortunately - has the advantage of the best teachers and early morning classes, so that the students can garner some work experience while they study.
If that isn't enough, the college is now planning to start a Bachelors in Business Administration course in the evening from this academic year, conducted by people from the trade itself. That doesn't mean the rest of the college takes a backseat. Over the last few years, St Xavier's has introduced a host of new, vocation-oriented disciplines - film studies, computer science, mass communication and videography.
Now a three-year BSc course in electronics media and biotech, and diplomas in advertising and social work are waiting to be added to the list. How will the St Xavier's manage? No problem.
They've just opened a spanking new reading room with cyber facilities (15 computers on ISDN), built another A-V room for the videography students with a huge LCD screen and a stockpile of DVDs (you could also catch ''Pearl Harbour'' or ''Titanic''), and new study kits for the Physics department. With Rs 30 lakhs out for development activities, says principal Father P.C. Mathew, the college hasn't skimped on bettering facilities. But as an institution striving for autonomy, St Xavier's isn't always going to be so cash-flush.
Father Mathew doesn't mind admitting that in hard times, he sometimes has to pass the hat around. Recently when he did, the response was overwhelming. A host of former students got together to raise more than Rs 50 lakh for the college, says Father Matthew.
