Fr. Felix Raj, former Principal of St. Xavier's College, Kolkata and the current Vice-Chancellor of the St. Xavier's University was honoured with the prestigious the Nihil Ultra Award of Excellence 2018 on January 16 at the eleventh Convocation of the College.

Fr. Felix Raj was given the award not only for his "long and dedicated service to the College" but also for his contribution to the field of education in Bengal, said Fr. Raphael Hyde, the Provincial of the Calcutta Jesuit Province.

"Today I stand here with a sense of humility and a feeling of gratitude... I accept this Nihil Ultra Award of Excellence 2018, conferred on me for my humble service in this institution. By serving this institution for 33 years, I have learnt many lessons. I thank the Principal and the whole Xaverian family for this token of appreciation. St. Xavier's College has expanded in infrastructure and achieved high academic standards... I am confident that this high standard will be sustained in the years to come," said Father Felix Raj in his acceptance speech.

He steered the College as Principal from 2009 till he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the St. Xavier's University in 2017. A doctor in economics from Rabindrabharati University, Fr. Felix Raj was rector of the College for six years from 2006. He was also the Vice Principal of the Commerce department of the College for 12 years from 2007.

"This gesture of appreciation and support is a message for me to go ahead in my mission particularly in building up of the new St. Xavier's University," Fr. Felix Raj told the Telegraph.

Fr. Felix Raj also told the media that St. Xavier's University would start more courses from July 2018, namy BA and MA in economics, BA in Mass Communication, BA in English and MBA.