New Town, Kolkata: St Xavier's University is "the model to follow" after showing in its inaugural year that an institute backed by a legacy of excellence will attract students irrespective of its location, education minister Partha Chatterjee said on January 15, Monday.

The university, whose campus is in New Town, had received more than 3,000 applications for admission to four postgraduate and two undergraduate courses. Only 400 made it to the historical first batch.

"St Xavier's University had its inauguration in July 2017. I came to know from Father Felix Raj (the vice-chancellor) that in its very first year of existence, the university received over 3,000 applications.... This shows the location of an institute does not matter. Location can't be an issue for students while choosing where to study. What matters is the quality of education an institute imparts," the education minister said at an event marking the first anniversary of the 17-acre New Town campus. He urged other institutes to stand up to be counted.

Vice-Chancellor Father Felix Raj described St Xavier's University as "a dream come true" that was made possible by the state government's support, particularly chief minister Mamata Banerjee. He thanked the benefactors and the alumni for their close association with the Jesuit institute and generous contribution towards Vision 2020.

Prof. Suranjan Das, the Vice Chancellor of Jadvapur University delivered the Foundation Day lecture on "The Challenges of Higher Education in India today".

Father Raphael J. Hyde, the Chancellor of the University, said the larger objective was to create a centre of excellence and strive to promote a society based on "love, freedom, justice, equality and fraternity".

All the dignitaries joined together and cut the Foundation cake which was shared among staff and students.