Some dates become part of history. 4th August 2026 is one such landmark day for St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata, as we proudly inaugurated the Xavier School of Engineering & Technology (XSET) and welcomed the first-ever batch of B.Tech students.

This day marks far more than the launch of a new School—it lays the foundation of a lasting legacy in engineering education, where innovation meets values, technology serves humanity, and excellence is guided by the timeless principles of Jesuit education.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by the inspiring Welcome Address of our Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Dr. John Felix Raj, SJ, who ignited the minds of our budding technocrats with the spirit of Ignatian charism. He encouraged the students to embrace engineering not merely as a profession but as a vocation to innovate with integrity, lead with compassion, and serve society with competence and conscience.

The occasion was further enriched by the enlightening Keynote Address of Prof. Sumon Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur, one of India’s most distinguished engineers and academicians. Speaking on “Building Engineers in the AI Era,” he inspired students to cultivate curiosity, adaptability, critical thinking, and lifelong learning, reminding them that while Artificial Intelligence will transform industries, it is human creativity, ethics, and purpose that will shape the future.

The Registrar, Rev. Fr. Dr. Xavier Jeyaraj, outlined the rules and regulations of the University, guiding the students on the academic framework, discipline, and values that will shape their journey at XSET.

As the first cohort of XSET embarks on this transformative journey, they become the pioneers of a new chapter in the University’s history. We look forward to nurturing engineers who combine technical excellence with social responsibility and emerge as leaders capable of addressing the challenges of an ever-evolving world.

The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Tuhin Utsab Paul, Dean of the Xavier School of Engineering and Technology, who expressed sincere gratitude to all dignitaries, faculty, staff, and students for making the historic occasion a grand success.

Prepared by:

Dr. Tuhin Utsab Paul

Article published in the Millenium Post on 05.08.2026: https://www.millenniumpost.in/amp/bengal/st-xaviers-university-launches-engineering-ug-programmes-671019