The seed of a University has been embedded in St. Xavier's College since its inception in 1860. History reveals that the College was in a mode of expansion in many ways. The hallmark of the College, as stated in the almanacs of 1880 and onwards, observes that 'the course of study embraces all subjects and transcends the standards of post-graduation.'

Again the Rector's Report of 1906 refers to an inspection by a body of members appointed by the Senate of the Calcutta University - the observations made by the members regard St. Xavier's with the ability of expansion into further spheres of education, appreciating the prospect and proposal of upgradation into the status of a University.

In January 2012, when the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee was the Chief Guest for the occasion of Convocation, she invited St. Xavier's College to be upgraded to the status of a University. And we could hear the ancient voice of history beckoning us.

Subsequently, I, as the Principal of the College appointed a committee to prepare a DPR (Detailed Project Report). The committee had many meetings and prepared a draft of the St. Xavier's University, Kolkata Bill 2016. We had a number of meetings with the Higher Education Department of the State Government to take this proposal forward.

With the support of the Alumni Association, St. Xavier's College began 'Vision 2020' project. The Alumni Association and some individual alumni whole-heartedly and actively participated in this 'Vision 2020.' It has been a hard work and our perseverance has today, by the blessings of the Almighty, borne fruit. St. Xavier's University Kolkata has come into effect.

I express my gratitude to the Government of West Bengal and the West Bengal Assembly for having passed the St. Xavier's University Kolkata Bill unanimously on the 15th of December, 2016.

I thank the Hon'ble Governor of West Bengal, Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi for giving his assent to the Bill on 16th January 2017.

I express my thankfulness to the Department of Higher Education of West Bengal, particularly to Dr. Partha Chatterjee, the Hon'ble Minister in Charge of Higher Education and Shri Vivek Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Department of Higher Education for their support and encouragement in making this 'Xaverian Dream' a Reality.

We plan to inaugurate the University campus at Rajarhat and the first academic session on the 8th of July 2017.

The Hon'ble Chancellor of St. Xavier's University Kolkata, Rev. Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy S.J., has appointed Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj S.J. as the first Vice Chancellor and Prof. Ashis Mitra as the Registrar of the University.

The Vice Chancellor has taken up the initial preparation of forming the Governing Board and appointing committees for the formulation of the statutes, rules and regulations.

Rooted in the Gospel values and inspired by the Ignatian charism of forming men and women for others, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata begins its journey in the historically tested tradition of excellence. It is an educational endeavor that accommodates more scope offered to greater number of students.