Facilities


Blatter Herbarium was started at the end of the 19th century. By 1918 a very large number of plants were gathered by Fr. E. Blatter, S.J., his associates and students. The Herbarium was named after Fr. Blatter in 1941. It contains the largest collection of plants in Western India. It provides facilities for the study of Plant Systematics and has a well-stocked library on Systematic Botany. The Herbarium has received the Sir Ratan Tata Trust Grant for upgradation and digitization of the plant database. Dr. Rajendra Shinde is the present Director.

Caius Laboratory for Inter-Disciplinary Research (1947) was established to carry out drug research and was named after Fr. J. F. Caius, S.J. It was restructured and equipped with new instruments. It functions as a research and coordination centre for all the Science Departments. In this Lab a strain of Streptomyces was identified. It has been supported by grants from industry and from UGC, UNDP, et al. Dr. Priya Sundarrajan is the Director.

Central Instrumentation Facility (C.I.F.) (2006): This is a facility with sophisticated equipment acquired mainly through a DST-FIST Grant and UGC’s ‘College of Excellence Scheme’. It is a part of the Caius Research Laboratory.

Heras Institute of Indian History and Culture (1926): Initially, it was called the Indian Historical Research Institute, by Fr. Henry Heras, S.J., and on his death in 1955, it was renamed after him. The Heras Institute, with its well-stocked Research Library and Museum, provides guidance and facilities for Post-Graduate research in Ancient, Medieval & Modern Indian History, Indian Art & Literature, Indian Religions & Culture. Its Research Journal is called INDICA (since 1964). The current Director is Dr. Joan Dias.

Nadkarny – Sacasa Research Laboratory (1972): It provides modern research facilities in Chemistry and connects research with industry. It can support 20 Post-Graduate research students in Chemistry and has produced several doctorates. Dr. (Fr.) Roy Pereira S.J. is the current Director.

Xavier’s Visual Arts Studio (2014): It is equipped with professional quality digital cameras (still and moving), lighting equipment and an A.V. editing set up. This facility is open to all our College students. Students from the Arts & Science faculties use this studio to enhance their course projects with the basic techniques of visual presentation. The Mass Media Department of the College is in-charge this studio.

St. Xavier’s Language Laboratory is equipped with the latest in Language Acquisition Technology, aiming at helping students acquire proficiency in language and soft skills necessary for effective communication. Students get the freedom to learn at their own pace with the help of language learning software installed on 25 computers in the spacious air conditioned lab and the most recent books on soft skills. Ms. Jyoti. P. More is currently the Faculty-in-Charge.

Students’ Council: The College has a long tradition of student participation in decision-making. Students on the Council serve as representatives of the students of each class.


Extra-Curricular Committee (ECC): It consists of faculty and students. It coordinates all the cultural and other extra-curricular activities on campus and also monitors the extra-curricular involvement of each student in his / her attempt at completing 60 hours of such activities to earn the mandatory Extra-Curricular Non-Academic Credits. It is advisable for students to check the College website for the ECC data submission procedure. Dr Ashma Aggarwal is the current Convener.


Grievance Redressal Mechanism:  The Grievance Redressal Committee made up of the 4 Vice-Principals and the College Treasurer. It looks into any formal complaints made by students or faculty and recommends action to the Principal. Complaints may be made either to the Principal or directly to any of the members.  

  1. For academic grievances, the student should first approach the Head of the Department concerned, if the Lecturer in question is not open to dialogue.  The student may then approach the concerned Vice Principal or the Principal.  
  2. For personal matters or regarding facilities on campus, students are encouraged to meet their Lecturers or the concerned Vice Principal or even the Principal.    
  3. The Students’ Council is also a channel for such issues.  
  4. Suggestions (feedback / feed-forward) to improve the quality of life on campus are welcome. Confidentiality is assured by the College authorities in this case.

 

Women’s Development Cell (WDC) (2006): It coordinates programmes for awareness and action on women’s issues.  It also constitutes the Gender Grievance Redressal Cell for complaints of sexual harassment or discrimination. Dr Aditi Sawant is the current Convener. 

 

Inclusive Education: The institute is committed to equal opportunity admission based on merit to all students with or without disability. The College has a support service available for students with disabilities as also an Inclusion Cell that looks at concerns and solutions for effective Inclusive Education practices. Learn More

Library: The College Library provides print & electronic resources for all academic and related activities of the students and staff, services for the retrieval and use of these resources and adequate infrastructure and spaces for their use. An online database of the books and journals is maintained and access to these is provided through five OPAC (On-line Public Access) terminals in the library and a link on the College website. The library has initiated an Institutional Repository by digitalizing rare books and college publications. The library is open from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. on all working days only. The College Librarian is Ms. Medha Taskar.

  • Reference Library (RL) includes: The heritage structured RL has Reserve Counters with text books, current issues and bound volumes of journals, reference books, special collections, photocopying services, two peer-learning cubicles for group discussions and study, separate study area for staff, electric charging points, WiFi along with four terminals for internet access and CD / DVD viewing. A photocopying facility exists near the RL.
  • Lending Library (LL): The Open Access LL with a mezzanine floor, houses about 60000 books. The LL has a paperback collection, newspapers and magazines reading facilities, the Issue & Return counters as well as reading spaces.

Computer Center: It is called the ‘Xavier Knowledge Centre’ and was established in 2006. It is solar-powered and is situated on the First Floor of the Hostel Building and includes 5 Computer Laboratories having about 125 computers in all. One of the Computer Labs has a Video Conferencing facility. The Centre supports all the curricula computer courses. It also holds courses in collaboration with other organizations. Mr. Kevin D’Cruz is its current Director.

  • Fell Gymkhana (1954) was named after its founder Fr. Fell. It has facilities for Body-building, Badminton, Table-Tennis, Carrom and Chess. The College has full-size Basketball and Volleyball Courts. The College has leased from the BMC the use of a cricket pitch on Azad Maidan. Dr. Thomas Pires is the Director and he is assisted by other Coaches for different sports, as and when the need arises.


Multi-Media Centres:

  • The Smith Centre for Audio-Visual Instruction (SCAVI) was inaugurated in December 1979. It has audio-visual instruments and techniques at the service of staff and students. It has a seating capacity of 100. It has been renovated under grants from the Sir Dorabjee Tata Trust.

  • The Multi-Media Room (MMR) is a centralized facility for Multimedia-based instructions and presentations for our staff and students. It has a seating capacity of 120. It has been renovated under grants from the Sir Dorabjee Tata Trust.

Common Rooms: There are separate Common Rooms for male students, female students, Teaching Staff and Non-Teaching Staff.


Canteen and Foyer is a large spacious area with a view of greenery. A variety of refreshments and meals are available here. It is a place on the campus not only for leisure and refreshment but also for student bonding, discussions and even for working on assignments and projects.


Hostel: The campus hostel is only for male students of the First and Third Years Senior College. Apart of the College Canteen serves as the Hostel Mess and it serves subsidized meals and refreshments to hostelites and guests. Some of the rooms in the hostel are for two occupants and some for three occupants. Applications are accepted only after admission to the College has been secured. The College Principal is the overall in-charge of the Hostel.

Regina Pacis Hostel in Byculla usually accommodates about 30 women students of the College.


Wellness Centre: It was founded in 1954. It provides the following services: Personal Counselling - interviews for better personal and social adjustment; Personality Evaluation Tests for self-improvement; Vocational Testing; Information on careers, professions and specialized studies in India and abroad; Information on scholarships and financial assistance schemes; help in the admission of students and in organizing orientation programmes for freshers. Fr. Francis DeMelo S.J. is the Director.


Placement Centre: This Centre endeavours to put students in touch with reputed employers, to train students in the writing of a CV and to acquaint them with the selection process of corporates. A Staff-Student Committee operates this Centre. Ms. Soni George Tharakan is the current Placement Committee Convener and Mr. Dominic Fernandes is the Placement Officer.


First-Aid Centres: Basic ‘First-Aid’ is available with the College General Office (CGO) (Ms. Grizel Menezes) and the Counselling Centre (Fr. Terence Quadros, S.J.). The CGO personnel will facilitate the calling of a doctor in case of an emergency or the shifting of the concerned person to either G.T. Hospital or Bombay Hospital. A stretcher or a wheelchair is available with the Security at the gate. The College also has an Infirmary for catering to the needs of those staff / student who suddenly fall sick on Campus.


Administrator’s Office and Workshop: This Office coordinates all the maintenance services on the campus.


Disaster Management: In case of campus mishaps immediately contact the College Administrator (Ext.336) or the College Receptionist (333) or the Principal (301). Contact with College authorities is possible on phone lines: 22620661 or 22620665 through the use of a mobile.


St. Xavier’s Villa (Khandala): It is spacious set up in the midst of the Khandala hills and dales. It is about 20 minutes’ walk from the Khandala Railway Station. It is open to the College staff and students for retreats, seminars and educational conferences. It includes a small chapel, a dining room, two conference halls and about 40 rooms (with single, double or triple occupancy). A caterer provides regular meals. Bookings have to be done through the Treasurer’s Office of the College.


The College Merchandise Shop (which also sells stationary material) exists on the ground floor of the Administration Building.

Department of Inter-Religious Studies (DIRS) (1987)


It fosters an understanding and appreciation of religions as a potent force for communal harmony, social justice and ecological sustainability. Its aim is to motivate people of all faiths as well as those who profess none to strive together for integral compassion (intrapersonal, interpersonal, societal, global and cosmic). It organizes sensitivity programmes, discussions and public lectures on relevant issues in religion, culture and philosophy. It collaborates with the AICUF to organize meaningful Interfaith Prayer Services and Masses on special occasions. Dr. (Fr.) Keith D’Souza S.J. is the Director.

Chapel-cum-Prayer Hall: The Chapel is open during college hours to students and staff of all faiths who would want time for quiet and prayer. The Eucharist is held 4 times a week for Catholic students and staff, during the class break timings.

Council of International Programmes (CIP)


It enables an osmotic educational link between St. Xavier’s College and Universities across continents. It has incessantly bolstered the visibility of St Xavier’s College on the global map. While CIP looks forward to fostering new alignments with the leading universities across the globe, it harks back to the rich legacy of globalization that has been an inherent facet of Jesuit education at St. Xavier’s College. CIP facilitates both short-term and long-term programmes for its in-house and foreign students. Dr. Rashmi George is the Director of this programme.

Short-term programmes for in-house students can be availed of in the April-May period. Summer programmes are available in some of the leading universities of the world. Credits earned through these programmes cannot be transferred.

Long-term programmes include:

  • A semester abroad during the fourth semester with full-transfer credits. Admission to this programme is subject to the approval of the core departments that the student is currently studying in.
  • One year exchange programme after completing the second or third year. If the student chooses to go after the second year, the student has to return to college to complete the third year of the degree course in order to graduate from St Xavier’s College.
  • All students availing of foreign exchange programmes have to abide by the norms and guidelines stipulated in the College Handbook.

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Study Abroad Counselling Centre (SACC) (2012)


It helps students get admission into PG programmes at various foreign Universities; in selecting Universities, preparing for TOEFL / GRE, completing Visa and pre-departure formalities. Ms. Rashida Haidermota is in charge of SAAC.

Honours Programme


It aims at providing an intellectual challenge to students. It seeks to go beyond the regular syllabi, to provide scope for greater student participation and to promote creativity in the learning process. Through assignments, seminars, projects and displays, it makes learning an exciting academic pursuit. Over three years, students must accumulate a minimum of 7 credits, of which: 5 must be from the Hub (formerly Department) in which the student has registered; 2 Transfer Credits from any other discipline / Hub.

Individual e-credit cards are awarded to students who complete their Honours activities. A Certificate of Merit is awarded to students who successfully complete the Programme. The office of the Vice-Principal (Academics) is in charge of this Programme.

Learning for Life Programme


It seeks to enlarge the scope of learning to other areas of accomplishment. It includes courses in Personality Development, Public Speaking, Self-Defence, Photography, Calligraphy, etc. The ECC handles this programme.

College and Departmental Fests/Conferences


The College encourages the holding of Fests/Conferences as it trains students in organizing and leadership skills. Nearly every department organizes such activities at the intra and/or inter-college levels.

  • Malhar is an annual inter-collegiate 3-day festival held in August. Along with the cultural component, it also holds ‘Conclave’ as its intellectual component.
  • Xynergy is an inter-collegiate Science Festival held in November. It includes a conference, an exhibition and other academic events.
  • Jan-Fest is a 2-day festival that celebrates Indian Classical Music in January. This is a finale of a series of musical concerts that IMG organizes

Social Involvement Programme (SIP)


It began in 1996 with the aim of making education more socially relevant. Students are made to learn through direct social involvement as‘ when the heart is touched by direct experience, the mind is challenged to change. Students work with economically and physically underprivileged children as well as with mentally challenged individuals, domestic workers, hospital patients and senior citizens. Under the guidance of two qualified Social Workers, students are required to offer a minimum of 45 hours of service with an NGO and 5 hours of social activities connected with any of the academic disciplines that college offers. For the academic year 2020-21, this programme has been tweaked a bit to adapt to the COVID-19 situation.