In a historic move, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) and WEBEL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of Industry-Academia collaboration on May 31, 2023 at the university campus.

The MoU was signed by Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, SXUK and Randhir Kumar, Secretary, IT & E Department, Government of West Bengal and Managing Director, WEBEL.

Expressing appreciation for such an effective step, Father Raj said, “It will pave a new way forward for the generations to come.” He further said that this new journey would make the students of SXUK more professional.

Randhir Kumar deliberated on the need of such industry-academia collaboration to bridge the gap in skill development of students and make them industry ready.

The MoU shall pave the way for using the Centre of Excellence, Industry 4.0 and Webel Animation Academy for the students, researchers, and faculty members of the university. The major thrust areas of the Centre of Excellence are Data Sciences and Cyber Security, 3D printing and Animation and VFX.

Students of SXUK may use the laboratories and other facilities at Webel for existing courses. New undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in collaboration with Webel are in pipeline. Short Term certificate courses, diploma courses, Faculty Development Programmes and student workshops may be offered by SXUK in collaboration with Webel.

Students would also get opportunity to work on live project during their internship. There will be placement opportunities for them in future also.

Faculty members and research scholars may use the facilities at the Centre of Excellence. The MoU will directly benefit the departments of Computer Science, Statistics, Mass Communication, Commerce, Economics and MBA having specialisation on Data Analytics.

Dignitaries like Puspal Ghosh, Senior Vice President (Education), WEBEL; Kausik Halder Manager (Education & Commercial) WEBEL, Prof. Ashis Mitra, Registrar, SXUK and Dr. Indra Kanta Maitra, Controller of examinations were also present. Dr. Tuhin Utsab Paul, Head, Department of Computer Science explained the MoU in detail.

Dr. Tuhin Utsab Paul