St Xavier’s University VC: AI must support, not compromise learning

KOLKATA: Established with the vision of expanding the legacy of its namesake college, the St. Xavier’s University has grown to offer diverse programmes across business, law, science and technology. In an exclusive conversation with Careers360, vice-chancellor Rev Dr J Felix Raj, SJ, shared insights into the university’s journey, its ambitious Vision 2050 and its commitment to fostering a dynamic learning environment. Edited excerpts:

How did the journey of St. Xavier’s University begin?

St. Xavier’s University has been a blessing. It was part of the expansion plan we envisioned in 2011-2012. St. Xavier’s College, already 160 years old at the time, needed to grow to serve more students and communities. That’s how the Vision 2020 plan took shape.

Initially, we debated whether to upgrade St. Xavier’s College into a university or establish a separate state private university. After much discussion, we decided on the latter, leading to the birth of St. Xavier’s University. The turning point came in 2012 when the Honourable chief minister attended our convocation as chief guest. She invited us to start a university, and I responded, “If you give me land, I’ll do it.” She agreed, provided us with the land, and that’s how we began.

We have completed Vision 2020 and moved ahead with Vision 2025.

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What is the roadmap beyond 2025?

We are now looking ahead to 2050. Instead of setting a short-term goal, we have formulated a long-term strategic plan, mapping out St. Xavier’s University’s growth till 2050. This plan outlines physical and academic expansion, as well as the facilities we aim to provide. We released the 2050 strategic plan on the university’s foundation day.

What are your key targets in the coming years?

By 2030, we aim to have at least 8,000 to 10,000 students. For this, we are constructing buildings that can house 100-150 classrooms. Without adequate facilities, we cannot introduce new courses.

We are planning to launch new programmes, including BTech, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and design. We intend to collaborate with premier institutions like IIT Kharagpur and IIT Madras to strengthen our offerings.

What are the new courses and how do they cater to societal needs?

We have deliberately designed our courses to complement rather than duplicate those offered at St. Xavier’s College. The college will eventually become a constituent of our university, along with other Jesuit institutions.

Our major additions include the Xavier Business School and the Xavier Law School. We have also introduced the Faculty of Science, which includes undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in statistics and computer science. Psychology is another significant addition, with courses ranging from undergraduate to PhD levels.

We have also introduced AI and machine learning courses within computer science and plan to expand our AI-focused offerings.

Could you tell us more about the law and MBA programmes?

St. Xavier’s University is committed to providing holistic and industry-relevant education, and our law and MBA programmes reflect that mission. Our School of Law offers a five-year integrated BA LLB (Honours) and BCom LLB (Honours) programmes, along with LLM and doctoral programmes. We emphasise a rigorous curriculum that blends theoretical learning with practical applications. Our students engage in legal research, moot courts, and internships with leading law firms, corporate legal departments, and NGOs to develop real-world expertise.

Similarly, our Xavier Business School (XBS) offers a two-year MBA with specialisations in finance, marketing, human resources, and business analytics. What sets XBS apart is our focus on ethics-driven leadership, entrepreneurship, and global business trends.

We also maintain collaborations with international universities and corporate organisations, allowing students to gain global perspectives and networking opportunities.

What plans does the university have for these schools?

We plan to introduce new interdisciplinary courses, expand our research facilities, and strengthen our global partnerships. We are also working on initiatives to provide more scholarships and financial aid to deserving students.

Our long-term vision includes expanding into emerging fields like technology law, AI-driven business management, and sustainable finance, which will further enhance the relevance and impact of our programmes.

How is the university handling concerns regarding AI usage in assignments and exams?

Just as mobile phones were once prohibited in classrooms but later integrated into education, we must find ways to manage AI effectively. The challenge is ensuring students do not misuse AI tools for academic dishonesty.

We already use plagiarism detection systems like Turnitin, and similar mechanisms will be developed to identify AI-generated content. AI is here to stay, so we must incorporate it in ways that support learning rather than compromise academic integrity.

However, in the classroom, we encourage a balanced approach where AI can be used as a learning tool rather than a means of bypassing education.

Do you offer financial assistance for students from underprivileged backgrounds?

As a state university without government financial support, St Xavier’s fees are determined by the operational expenses required to maintain quality education.

Our fee structure is approximately Rs 50,000-Rs 60,000 per semester, depending on the course. We understand this may be expensive for those from rural or underprivileged backgrounds. So we have scholarship programmes funded by benefactors, alumni, and the university itself. We encourage students in need to apply for scholarships even before seeking admission.

Do you have international faculty members? What about foreign students?

We currently do not have permanent international faculty due to government regulations, but we regularly invite guest lecturers from institutions abroad. As we expand, we may look into hiring international faculty, particularly for our business school.

Regarding student exchange programmes, we are working on collaborations with institutions such as Lincoln University in Kuala Lumpur and Santa Clara University in the US. We aim to establish dual-degree programmes where students can split their studies between India and a foreign university.

What is your placement strategy for students?

We have an active placement cell that works closely with recruiters to provide opportunities across all disciplines, not just business schools. Placement is no longer limited to management programmes — students from commerce, economics, and even humanities are actively placed.

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Given the increasing cases of student suicides, how is the university addressing mental health issues?

We must create an atmosphere where students feel safe and heard. Problems such as suicides, ragging, and students running away from hostels stem from an environment that lacks proper emotional and psychological support. The administration plays a crucial role, as does the teacher-student relationship.

If a student is accused of cheating, for instance, harsh reactions could have severe consequences. It is essential to approach every issue with sensitivity.

We have systems in place to address these challenges. If a student is facing a psychological or family-related problem, we reach out to the parents through our parent forum. This allows us to take their feedback and work collaboratively with faculty, staff, alumni, and benefactors to create a nurturing environment.

Additionally, our administrative structure includes teachers, deans, and heads of departments, who handle cases sensitively before escalating them to higher authorities.