Nihil Ultra
On 25th April 2024, undergraduate students from Shri Shikshayatan College visited the campus of St. Xavier's University as part of an educational excursion. The purpose of the visit was to provide the students with an opportunity to explore the facilities, academic programs, and campus life at St. Xavier's University. During this visit, students were taken to a guided tour including academic buildings, libraries, laboratories, recreational facilities, and student accommodation. An interactive session between the students of both Shri Shikshayatan College and St. Xavier's University along with an experimental game provided them with valuable perspectives on the overall student experience at the university.
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Department of Economics, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) in collaboration with the Jesuit Economics Association of India organised a two-day Annual Economics Conference on February 29 and March 1, 2024 at the University campus. The theme was ‘Contemporary Issues in Economic Theory and Policy.’
In his inaugural speech, Rev. John Felix Raj, S.J., Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of St. Xavier’s University Kolkata, highlighted India's current economic challenge, stressing the importance of effective policy-making to address it and promote collective efforts for economic and societal advancement. He said, “I am happy to see that the department is organising a conference on this pertinent topic. I hope that the conference will facilitate meaningful discussions and collective efforts toward the advancement of both the economy and society.”
80 research papers were presented in 10 different technical sessions in the conference. Research scholars and academicians from Jesuit institutions and other nationally reputed colleges and universities participated in this conference.
The keynote addresses in the conference were delivered by Prof. Anjan Mukherji, Emeritus Professor of Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Prof. Erol D’Souza, Ex-Director and Professor of Economics at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Prof. Anjan Mukherji delivered his speech on ‘Markets, Governments, and Governance’ highlighting the government's crucial role in addressing market failures and maintaining economic prosperity. He emphasised Milton Friedman's view on government duties, focusing on security and law and order. He also said, “Countries with better law and order and rule of law are more prosperous. It is important for the government to frame a set of laws and ensure that the rule of law prevails.”
Prof. Erol D’Souza discussed role of public sector banks in India including nationalization of the banks and highlighted key problems pertaining to the public sector banks in India. He also shared his views on non-performing assets. He argued that there is a need to restructure the public sector banks.
Prof. Mausumi Das, Professor, Delhi School of Economics; Prof. Anup Mitra, Professor, South Asia University; Prof. Amit Basole, Professor, Azim Premji University; Prof. Udhay Bhanu Sinha, Professor, Delhi School of Economics and Prof. Saibal Kar, RBI Chair Professor of Economics, CSSSC were the other eminent speakers in this conference.
Dr. Subhanil Chowdhury
Department of Economics of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata (SXUK) in association with Xavier’s University Economics Society (XAVECOS) organised the fourth Annual Economics Summit on February 28, 2024 in the university campus. The theme was ‘Contemporary Issues in Economic Theory and Policy.’
While delivering the inaugural speech, Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj S.J., Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of SXUK stressed the importance of shaping India's future through the exchange of ideas called for sustainable economic growth and highlighted India's role in global value chains. He further congratulated the students from different parts of the country for participating and presenting their research works at this summit.
Prof. C. Veeramani, Director of the Centre for Development Studies was one of the eminent speakers at this summit. He discussed India's potentialities, challenges, and opportunities in the global economic landscape. He highlighted the impact of globalization on employment dynamics, particularly female labour force participation, and the need for job creation. He mentioned that India can gain significantly by concentrating on the backward linkage in the Global Value Chain.
A panel discussion took place on ‘Sustainable Development in an Uncertain World’ where Dr. Kausik Gupta, Professor of Economics, University of Calcutta; Dr. Swati Bhattacharjee, Senior Journalist at Ananda Bazar Patrika and Dr. Achiransu Acharyya, Assistant Professor of Economics at Visva-Bharati participated.
The summit witnessed more than 88 research scholars and students across the country participating and presenting their research works on sustainable development goals, social sector, trade and development, banking and finance, etc.
Oishidatta Mukherjee of SXUK and Shreemanti Datta and Oitijhya Dutta from St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata jointly won the best paper award in the postgraduate students’ category. Their research included factors influencing female participation in unpaid household activities and MSME, a friend or foe to growth and development respectively. Amit Mitra and Rahul Sinha from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Kolkata, and Sayantan Basu of Amity University, Kolkata bagged second and third prizes respectively.
In the undergraduate section, Srinjoy Majumdar and Spriha Mondal of Jadavpur University won the first prize. While the second prize was bagged by Souptik Dasgupta, Ranjani Roy, and Adishree Acharyya of Jadavpur University, the third prize went to Bhoshanaa N and Madhusree N K from Madras School of Economics, Chennai.
Prof. Soumyen Sikdar, Professor of Economics, formerly associated with the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, delivered the valedictory address, where he explained the evolution of the theory of economic growth over the last many decades.
Dr. Subhanil Chowdhury
The Department of Economics of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) carried out a two-day field survey at the handicrafts markets in Santiniketan on January 26-27, 2024.
The objective of the survey was to study financial literacy and digital awareness among the artisans and entrepreneurs of the handicraft industry and its effect on their earnings.
21 students of fourth semester of the department participated in the survey under the guidance of Dr. Sayantan Bandhu Majumder and Ms. Srijita Ghosh, two faculty members of the department.
They collected primary data from both male and female respondents in the market and then analysed the same. Students found the survey highly enriching.
Dr. Sayantan Bandhu Majumder
The Department of Economics of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) carried out a field survey in Bolpur, West Bengal on January 20, 2024. The objective of the survey was to explore how people in Bolpur, Birbhum, West Bengal diversified their livelihoods.
18 postgraduate students participated in the survey under the tutelage of Dr. Poulami Chatterjee, Dr. Subhanil Chowdhury, Dr. Sayantan Bandhu Majumder and Dr. Chayanika Mitra, faculty members of the department.
7 students of semester four and 11 students of semester two of postgraduate programme in Economics collected primary data from 105 households residing in the rural areas of Bolpur.
Dr. Biswajit Haldar, a renowned Professor of Economics, Visva-Bharati also extended his valuable support to conduct the survey.
Participants collected data on household and personal factors like monthly household expenditure, educational status, asset ownership, type of homes in which respondents live, number of family members, and status of land ownership.
Following that, data on employment migration and availability of government schemes were collected to determine the primary livelihood concerns of the rural inhabitants of Bolpur.
Dr. Sayantan Bandhu Majumder
In a bid to excel more in research work, the Department of Economics of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata (SXUK) organised a one-day dissemination workshop on the ICSSR sponsored Minor Research Project 'Evaluation of PMUY: A Case Study of Kolkata’ on January 10, 2024 in the university campus.
The project focuses on the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) coverage and its effects on health and women empowerment among the BPL households in Kolkata.
Dr. Devleena Majumdar, Dr. Sayantan Bandhu Majumder and Ms. Srijita Ghosh presented the project report in front of external experts, other faculty members of the department and research scholars.
Three distinguished external experts were Prof. Saibal Kar, RBI Chair Professor of Economics, CSSSC, Director (Hony.), Eastern Regional Centre, ICSSR; Prof. Ajitava Ray Chaudhuri, Professor Emeritus (HOD), Department of Economics, School of Business and Economics, Adamas University and Dr. Subrata Mukherjee, Associate Professor, IDSK.
An in-depth discussion was held regarding the project report. In addition, the audience offered several insightful suggestions. The sample design and research methodology of the study were appreciated by experts.
Dr. Sayantan Bandhu Majumder
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Department of Economics organised the orientation programme of its both undergraduate and postgraduate sections on August 1 and 2, 2023 respectively.
Dr. Achyut Chetan, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Studies and Dr. Subhanil Chowdhury, Head of the Department of Economics greeted the new students to the university. Dr. Achyut Chetan delivered the welcome address. All the faculty members of the department introduced themselves.
Dr. Swapan Chakraborty, a faculty member of the department narrated the history of the university. He also explained the significance of the motto and crest of the university. To make the students familiar with the administrative structure of the university, he made a presentation. He also explained the vision and mission of the university to the freshers.
Dr. Subhanil Chowdhury explained the four-year undergraduate (UG) curriculum and the syllabus to the UG students. He equally explained the course curriculum to postgraduate students also. He also gave a light on mentorship, guest lectures by eminent academicians and professionals, Annual Economic Summit, workshops, field surveys, seminars and conferences conducted by the department.
Dr. Sayantan Bandhu Majumdar discussed the ‘Code of Conduct’ for the students, rules and regulations to be followed, different scholarships, examination patterns, etc. He also acknowledged students on various societies of the university like Xavecos, Xposure, Xinephile, etc. He also discussed various facilities like library, hostels, sports, infirmary, canteen facilities, etc.
Dr. Poulami Chatterjee and Dr. Debalina Chakravarty explained the importance of service learning and outreach programmes.
Dr. Chayanika Mitra, PG Coordinator and Placement Coordinator of the department explained the details about the functions of the Placement Cell of the department and the University. She also advised what the students are expected to do to facilitate better placement. A brief summary of earlier placements was also presented.
Dr. Chetan addressed the students on the Jesuit Legacy in Higher Education and explained the significance of ‘Cura Personalis’, ‘Magis’, ‘AMDG’ and ‘Nihil Ultra’. He also explained different financial assistance offered by SXUK to the poor students.
As a part of the orientation programme, the department organised a special lecture for the freshers on August 4, 2023. Dr. Achin Chakraborty, Professor, Institute of Development Studies Kolkata (IDSK) was the resource person. It was an enriching session and students interacted with Dr. Chakraborty at the end. All the faculty members were present.
Dr. Subhanil Chowdhury
Department of Economics of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) in collaboration with the Jesuit Economic Association of India (JEAI) organized a two-day national conference on March 24-25, 2023 at the University campus. The theme was ‘Contemporary Issues in Economic Theory and Policy’.
In his inaugural speech, Rev. Father John Felix Raj, S.J. Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of SXUK said that India is passing through a crucial economic challenge which needs to be controlled with effective policy making and implementation. While appreciating the initiative of the department to organise a conference on such a relevant topic, Father Raj expressed that the issue would be properly debated and discussed in this conference.
Prof. Prabhat Patnaik, Emeritus Professor of Economics, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) delivered the keynote address on the poverty of mainstream economics. He said, “Economy, as envisaged in the mainstream tradition, is incompatible with a production economy.” He further said that in a money-driven world, where money acts as a store of value, the logic of mainstream economics does not hold. He also gave insights into a few policy issues of mainstream economics.
Among the other dignitaries present were Prof. Pinaki Chakraborty, Former Director National Institute of Public Finance and Policy; Dr. Himanshu, Associate Professor, JNU; Dr. Tanika Chakraborty, Associate Professor, IIM-Calcutta; Prof. Anup Kumar Sinha, President, Bandhan Bank; etc. They also delivered separate lectures on related issues.
A bunch of research scholars and academicians from Jesuit institutions like Loyola Academy Secunderabad; St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad; XIM University, Bhubaneshwar, Xavier Institute of Social Sciences, Ranchi; St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata; and other colleges and universities presented their research papers in the conference. A total of 40 research papers were presented in ten different technical sessions. All the faculty members of the Faculty of Arts and Social Studies also attended the conference.
Dr. Subhanil Chowdhury
Department of Economics of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata (SXUK) in association with Xavier’s University Economic Society (XAVECOS) organised the third Annual Economic Summit on March 23, 2023. The theme was on ‘Emerging Challenges and Policy Framework for Developing Countries.’
While delivering the inaugural speech, Rev. Father Dr. John Felix Raj S.J; Vice-Chancellor of SXUK stressed on formulating effective policies to meet the socio-economic challenges in developing and underdeveloped nations. He said that plans must be drawn to make holistic progress. He further congratulated the students from different parts of the country for joining this summit along with their research works.
Dr. Rohit Azad, Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) delivered a lecture on ‘Triple Indian Crisis’, created by the COVID-19 pandemic, post-pandemic recovery challenges and climate change.
A panel discussion took place where Prof. Achin Chakraborty, Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata; Prof. Manabi Majumdar, Centre for Studies in Social Science Calcutta and Dr. Anirban Mukherjee, University of Calcutta participated.
More than 250 research scholars and students across the country participated in the summit and presented their research works on sustainable development goals, social sector, trade and development, banking and finance, etc.
Shashibardhan Sharma, a research scholar of JNU bagged the best paper award. He submitted a research paper entitled ‘Cheating in second price auctions and emotional responses’.
Muhammad Abdul Majid Bhat of Madras School of Economics won the best paper award at postgraduate students’ category. His research work was on energy intensity and productivity in the Indian manufacturing firms. Dipanjan Paul and Shouyja Basu of SXUK bagged second and third prizes respectively.
In the undergraduate section, Nandini Sen and Sayoni Sen of Heritage College, Kolkata won the first prize. While the second prize was bagged by Shreyaj Ghosh, Shoumi Chatterjee and Chandrima Roy of SXUK, the third prize went to Aniket Ghosh and Vyom Pandey of Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda.
Dr. Devleena Majumdar
St. Xavier's University, Kolkata 30 Mother Teresa Sarani (Park street),
