In a historic move, Father John Felix Raj, Vice-Chancellor of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) conferred the D.Litt (Honoris Causa) on Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal in the fourth Convocation ceremony on February 6, 2023 in the presence of Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, Governor of West Bengal.

The university felicitated Dr. Mamata Banerjee with this great honour in academics for her contribution in the development of higher education in the state. Fr. Raj handed over the citation to her and the Governor called it an occasion “where a deserving woman leader has been honoured with a degree”.

Dr. Banerjee dedicated this honour to the common people, especially to the weaker sections of the state.

The programme began with the inauguration of Loyola Tirtha by the Chief Minister, the newly constructed administrative block that houses the Office of Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor and other officers.

The university’s executive council recommended Mamata’s name for the honour in recognition of her “exemplary contribution to social development and education in the state”, Father Felix Raj said in his inaugural address. He also read out the annual report and narrated the activities of the University in different academic and administrative sectors. After that, the Chief Minister was conferred on the prestigious degree.

While delivering the Convocation address, Dr. Mamata Banerjee praised the University for imparting quality education and compared it with renowned universities of the western nations. She acknowledged the numerous social development programmes that the university undertook since its inception in various sectors and extolled the activities.

Besides congratulating the degree recipients and wishing them for a robust career ahead, she further advised the students of SXUK to carry on the rich legacy of the institution through generation. Students and faculty members cheered at her message amid loud applause.

She also announced to introduce a government-sponsored Saint Mother Teresa Chair Professor at the university. “Today, I propose from the Government of West Bengal a respected chair for the sainthood of Mother Teresa at the St Xavier’s University so that it can work for education, and a message can go to the world; Yes, Bengal gives full respect to mothers”, she said.

“St. Xavier’s University and College have been producing gems through decades who have been contributing their best to develop the country”, she added. She directed the students and its alumni members to keep reminiscing and follow the ideals that they learnt from this ‘temple of academics.’ “She became an honorary alumna of the university’s alumni association on Monday,” said Father Felix Raj. She was also accorded with an honorary alumni membership card and a memento by Vatsal Chirimar, Hony Secretary of St. Xavier’s University Kolkata Alumni Association.

Governor was equally effusive in praising the University for its decision to confer the prestigious D.Litt (Honoris Causa) on Mamata Banerjee as he equalled her with Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, Winston Churchill and many other renowned personalities while addressing the august gathering.

Strongly criticising the nexus between politics and education that have been crippling the academic scenario in many universities, the Governor admired the politics-free education and campus of SXUK and expressed his happiness to find “a happy marriage of knowledge and statecraft”. Expressing his desire to find the University to emerge as one of the best academic hubs of the world in future, the Governor venerated the quality of missionary education across the world including the Xaverian family.

A total of 770 students received their degree completion certificates in this convocation day. Out of them, there were 113 rank holders who secured first, second and third positions respectively in different programmes.

Out of these rank holders, 60 students belonged to postgraduate programmes and 53 students belonged to undergraduate programmes. There were 33 medal recipients who were awarded with gold, silver and bronze medals. Two faculty members of the University were also felicitated for completion of their Ph.D. programmes during their service.

The first issue of the university’s research journal namely ‘St. Xaviers University Kolkata Journal of Interdisciplinary Research’ and the magazine ‘Xaverianum 2022’ were also inaugurated.

The programme concluded with a hope to meet new heights in future.

Somak Sen.