Research Advisory Council (RAC) and Research & Development (R&D) Cell

St. Xavier's University, Kolkata (SXUK) has formed a Research Advisory Council (RAC). This RAC is chaired by the Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor and acts as the apex body of the R&D Cell. Under this chair is the Director of R&D Cell, who also heads various committees, in order to drive the governance.

Research Advisory Council (RAC) to mentor & monitor

• Human Infrastructure
• Logistic infrastructure
• Technical resources
• Rules and ethics
• Financial management of grants/funds

• Research Policy and governance
• R&D activities and their promotion
• Improved coordination between different aspects of R&D
• Aligning with NEP 2020 towards atma-nirbhar bharat

The Research Advisory Council of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata is hereby reconstituted with effect from July 3, 2023 to June 30, 2024, comprising of the following members:

Note: Updated on 14.06.2024

Composition of Research Development Cell (RDC):

• Director: Dr. Mononita Kundu Das, Professor, Xavier Law School

Committee 1: Finance and Infrastructure Committee

1. Dr. Manodip Ray Chaudhuri, Professor, Xavier Business School (Convenor)
2. Dr. Subhanil Chowdhury, Associate Professor, Head, Dept. of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Studies
3. Dr. Vivek Kumar Verma, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Commerce & Management
4. Mr. Monojit Dutta, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Commerce & Management
5. Dr. Sayantan Bandhu Majumder, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Studies

Main Role:

• To coordinate funded project proposals from departments for consideration of possible funding in consultation with all members of the cell and as per guidance of research advisory members.
• To spread awareness of funding opportunities, for various research and development activities at all departmental/school levels at the University.

Additional Role:

• Grants and Funds management.
• Brining in funds for development of Research Infrastructure
• Collaboration with Sponsored Research Projects
• Research Seed Grants

Committee 2: Research Program, Policy Development

1. Dr. Soma Sur, Professor, Xavier Business School (Convenor)
2. Dr. Susmita Halder, Associate Professor & Acting Head, Dept. of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Social Studies
3. Dr. Prayag Ray, Assistant Professor, Dept. of English, Faculty of Arts and Social Studies
4. Dr. Reshmi Naskar, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mass Communication, Faculty of Arts and Social Studies
5. Prof. Sovik Mukherjee, Course Coordinator Inter-Religious Studies & Personality Development Course

Main Role:

• To coordinate between the various departments of SXUK and appraise them regarding policy matters.
• To promote and encourage inter-disciplinary research activities in the University.

Additional Role:

• Research Program
• Scholars Progression Monitoring
• Scholars Symposium
• Updating/Supplementing, existing Policies, Rules and Regulations of the University

Committee 3: Collaboration and Community

1. Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, Professor, Dept. of English, Faculty of Arts and Social Studies (Convenor)
2. Dr. Jacob lslary, Associate Professor, Dept. of Social Work, Faculty of Arts and Social Studies
3. Dr. Mitra Goswami, Assistant Professor, Head, Dept. of Commerce (Morning & Day)
4. Mr. Sovik Mukherjee, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Commerce & Management
5. Dr. Asif Iqubal Shah, Assistant Professor, Xavier Law School

Main Role:

• To summarize the research and development information at the University level for each academic Year.
• Analysis of data and summarize plan of action suggested by all departments for further improvement.

Additional Role:

• Consultancy Projects
• Academic & Industry Collaborations
• Outreach & MoUs
• Industry-Institute Interface

Committee 4: Product Development, Monitoring and Commercialization

1. Dr. Somak Maitra, Associate Professor, Faculty of Commerce and Management (Convenor)
2. Dr. Animesh Das, Assistant Professor, Xavier Law School
3. Dr. Banhi Guha, Assistant Professor, Xavier Business School
4. Dr. Debalina Chakravarty, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Studies
5. Dr. Nirupam Dutta, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Commerce & Management

Main Role:

• To summarize research directions in which various events may be organized to facilitate awareness & learning about emerging domains.
• To facilitate and coordinate promotion of research & development at all departmental/school levels.

Additional Role:

• Research Information Management
• Blog/portal for maintaining Institutional Research Information and Institutional Repository.
• Research monitoring and adherence to global standards.
• Entrepreneurship guidance
• Pre-Incubation Program

Committee 5: IPR, Legal and Ethical Matters

1. Dr. Tuhin Utsab Paul, Associate Professor, Head, Dept. of Computer Science (Convenor)
2. Dr. Devleena Majumder, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Studies
3. Dr. Utpal Kumar Raha, Assistant Professor, Xavier Law School
4. Dr. Somnath Banerjee, Associate Professor, Head, Dept. of Management Studies (B.M.S)
5. Dr. Stephen G, Librarian

Main Role:

• To analyze the research data towards qualitative as well as quantitative assessment.
• Processing of all ethical clearance applications and issuance of certificates at the University.

Additional Role:

• IP Protection
• Patent Processing
• Trademark and Copyright
• Technology Transfer
• Integrity & Ethics

• To promote innovation on Triple Helix Model, which is composed of three institutional spheres (University-Industry-Government) as the primary actors.
• Establishing of incubators or collaborating with nearby incubators, also promoting students and young minds for the start-ups and giving a basic support system and mentoring them. To promote a thriving research environment in the University;
• To take initiative to support research interests and innovation skills amongst the faculty and students.
• To promote conducive environment and encourage collaboration. To promote both the basic and translational research and work towards Atma-nirbhar Bharat through innovation, start-ups and result oriented goals.

Dr. Mononita Kundu Das
Professor of Law
Director Research Development Cell
St. Xavier's University, Kolkata
Action Area III B, New Town, Kolkata-700160, West Bengal, India.
Tel.: To be updated soon
E-mail: director.rdc@sxuk.edu.in