The Xavier University, Bhubaneswar (XUB) was inaugurated at its new campus at Kurki near Pipili by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday.
The university has come into existence with the passing of the Xavier University Bill in April 2013 in the State Assembly. The Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB), the 27-year-old internationally reputed Business School, is the flagship institution of the XUB. The XUB has proposed to set up other schools of higher learning in various areas like Public Policy, Sustainability, Finance, Media Education, etc, and Centres of Research in Public Policy and others.
The XUB offers the latest in infrastructure, technology and amenities to ensure an enriching and comfortable educational experience. The university campus is also equipped with numerous sports facilities and houses highly qualified faculty members. Besides offering MBA, MHRM and MBA-RM, XUB is also home to the School of Commerce which offers undergraduate courses such as BCom Accounting, BCom Finance, BMS HR and BMS Marketing.
Among the others present at the inaugural function were Minister of Agriculture Pradeep Maharathy, Minister of Higher Education, Science & Technology Dr Pradeep Panigrahy, Rev John Barwa, Arch Bishop, Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Diocese, Fr George Fernandes, Provincial, President of Odisha Jesuit Society, NICCO Chairman Rajive Kaul and XUB Board of Governors Chairman Fr Paul Fernandes, SJ, Director and XUB Vice-Chancellor, and Fr Tony Uvary, SJ, Associate Director & Registrar.
The Chief Minister raised the issue of improving the quality of higher education and underlined the role of private universities for the purpose. He stressed the need for a youth policy and wished the Xavier University would develop research as one of its core competencies.
XUB VC and Director Fr Paul Fernandes welcomed the dignitaries and proclaimed that the university would embark upon a mission to churn out professionals, well-formed and capable, to transform the society. He informed that the university has already admitted 27 doctoral students and highly qualified faculty to guide them. The university also leads in the country in terms of the technical infrastructures.
He hoped that the university would transform into an Xavier Open University soon. He also expressed hope that the Government would continue to provide support in terms of land and infrastructural funds so the university could expand to other parts of the region.