First Jesuit University in India opened

by · Published 11/01/2015 · Updated 11/01/2015

Source: The Herald (Kolkata) Santosh Dighal

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday opened the first Jesuit university in a glittering ceremony in Bhubaneswar, capital of the eastern Indian state.
Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik said the Xavier University (XU) would be a center of learning coupled with good ethical values and academic excellence.
He thanked the Odisha Jesuit Society for taking the initiative to establish it, as they are known for imparting quality education around the world.
The Xavier University Odisha Bill, 2013, was passed by the Odisha Legislative Assembly on April 5, 2013 and the Odisha Governor endorsed it on May 9, 2013. The Act provides for establishment and incorporation of a private university.
In his welcome speech, Jesuit Father Paul Fernandes, Vice Chancellor, said, “XU is a God’s Gift to us. We receive it with gratitude in our hearts. We commit ourselves to its establishment and growth. We bless it today.”
XU is the first digital university in the country, first Catholic University in Odisha and fourth Catholic University in India. It is going to be a research and innovative university and a university with a vision, the vice chancellor said.
XU cares for the whole person. It enables students to strive for excellence and become the unique persons that they are called to be, (including contemplatives in action’ and ‘finding God in all things,’) serving others, serving the Kingdom of love, peace and truth and building a community of responsible citizens.
The university is named after Saint Francis Xavierof the 16th century. The university will strive to become a globally recognized center of learning that serves the whole world,

of a private university.
In his welcome speech, Jesuit Father Paul Fernandes, Vice Chancellor, said, “XU is a God’s Gift to us. We receive it with gratitude in our hearts. We commit ourselves to its establishment and growth. We bless it today.”
XU is the first digital university in the country, first Catholic University in Odisha and fourth Catholic University in India. It is going to be a research and innovative university and a university with a vision, the vice chancellor said.
XU cares for the whole person. It enables students to strive for excellence and become the unique persons that they are called to be, (including contemplatives in action’ and ‘finding God in all things,’) serving others, serving the Kingdom of love, peace and truth and building a community of responsible citizens.
The university is named after Saint Francis Xavierof the 16th century. The university will strive to become a globally recognized center of learning that serves the whole world, especially the people of Odisha, by its commitment to excellence in all sphere of human life.
The university aims to become the leader as a research oriented university that generates knowledge and diffuses it for the benefit of all, the vice chancellor said.