Centre for Global Network and Initiatives (CGNI)

VISION

The Centre for Global Network and Initiatives strives to follow the St. Xavier's University, Kolkata’s vision to promote a global society based on love, freedom, liberty, justice, equality and fraternity, rooted in and inspired by the Ignatian charism of forming men and women for others.

MISSION

The Centre for Global Network and Initiatives fulfil the University's vision of holistic development of global society while seeking to expand the global outreach of the University by facilitating mutually beneficial international academic exchange and collaboration between St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata and other national and international universities /Institutions.

OBJECTIVES

The Centre for Global Network and Initiatives will be responsible for undertaking various activities such as:

1. To coordinate all matters relating to welcoming and supporting foreign and exchange students
2. To disseminate information related to admission process among prospective foreign and exchange students
3. To engage in promotional activities and brand building campaign nationally and internationally to facilitate and enhance the global visibility and profile of St. Xavier’s University
4. To explore possibilities of potential collaborations and MOUs with other universities, nationally and internationally and to develop, coordinate and strengthen these linkages.
5. To carry out all collaborative activities with foreign institutions
6. To engage and partner with several international consortiums like ERASMUS MUNDUS; DAAD; Linnaeus Palme and other scholarship groups
7. To manage and facilitate Incoming and Outgoing Faculty Exchange Programs
8. To create synergy of research between departments and faculty members and to develop collaborative research projects with other institutions
9. To act as an office to maintain records of all foreign and national collaborations and MOUs.
10. To act as an office to maintain records of all foreign students and exchange students
11. To act as a liaison body between the foreign students and the sponsoring agency
12. To address the grievances of foreign and exchange students in all matters
13. To be a single point contact of students for issues in relation to registration with FRRO/e-FRRO
14. To facilitate networking with fellow students
15. To extend all possible help to the foreign students to adapt to the new cultural environment and make their stay in India comfortable and enriching
16. To progressively increase and publicise the scope of the Study in India (SIP) and Study Abroad Programmes (SAP).
17. To provide a base to assist International and Indian scholars for career advancement and contribute towards enhancing bilateral relations.
18. To organize and facilitate Joint Seminars/ Workshops/ Symposium/ Conferences
19. To explore possibilities of Joint Courses/ Online Degree/ Diploma Programmes
20. To collaborate with CICE
21. Any other matters that are decided by Committee members.

COMMITTEE FOR CENTRE FOR GLOBAL NETWORK AND INITIATIVES

The Committee for the Centre for Global Network and Initiatives of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata has been reconstituted with effect from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, comprising of the following members:

Updated on 04.02.2025

List of Memorandums of Understandings (MoU) signed between St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata and other institutions/organizations

All correspondence in matters of collaborations may be sent to the following:
Email id: cgni@sxuk.edu.in
Tel. no.: 033-66249842
Venue: CGNI office (Room No.: 308, 3rd Floor, Loyola Tirtha, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata)

SXUK signs MoU with WB State Council of Science and Technology

St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Bengal State Council of Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology, Biotechnology (DSTBT), Government of West Bengal on November 18, 2025 at the university campus. Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Vice-Chancellor of SXUK graced the event with his presence. Fr. Dr. Xavier Jeyaraj, S.J., Registrar of SXUK and Shri Vijay Bharti, IAS, Secretary Department of Science Technology, Biotechnology (DSTBT), Government of West Bengal signed the MoU. Delegates from both organisations discussed possible avenues of collaborative research and development. Dr. Manali Bhattacharya, Professor-in-charge of the Centre for Global Network and Initiatives (CGNI) of SXUK coordinated the event. Dr. Bidisha Kantha

Click on the picture to zoom

SXUK signs MoU with Mahidol University

Centre for Global Network and Initiatives (CGNI) of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with delegates from Mahidol University, Thailand on August 18, 2025 at the university campus.

The meeting between the two universities witnessed deliberations regarding the research activities conducted at Mahidol university.

Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Vice-Chancellor of SXUK informed the guests about Jesuit legacy in education in India and the potential of expansion of the university in future. Discussions regarding the education systems of the individual countries and credit transfer systems for future collaborations were also held.

Both institutions expressed significant interest in the possibility of student exchange. The meeting ended with a mutual exchange of thankfulness and a campus trip for the guests.

Dr. Manali Bhattacharya Prof.-in-Charge, CGNI

Click on the picture to zoom

Delegates from University of Sussex visit SXUK

A progression agreement as a part of the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) and the University of Sussex on May 2, 2025 at the SXUK campus.

A few delegates from the University of Sussex visited the SXUK campus and met Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Vice-Chancellor of SXUK and discussed various topics to work jointly in near future.

The team of delegates from the University of Sussex was comprised of Professor Robin Banerjee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement; Prof. Chirantan Chatterjee, Professor of Development Economics, Innovation and Global Health, University of Sussex Business School; Dr. Marina Pedreira-Vilarino, Director of Development and Alumni Relations and Mr. Marcus Williams, Director of Student Recruitment, Admissions and International Development. The delegates met the Deans of all faculties and schools of SXUK and also met the students.

Dr. Manali Bhattacharya

Click on the picture to zoom

SXUK signs MoU with KIIT

St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar on January 27, 2025 at the university campus. The event took place at virtual mode.

Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, Vice-Chancellor of SXUK and Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the KIIT signed the MoU in the presence of dignitaries.

Father Felix Raj said that the new collaboration would help in providing quality education to the students of both SXUK and KIIT. The MoU would help in further development of research works by faculty members of the two institutions of higher learning together, he added.

Prof. Singh said that the new academic alliance with SXUK, under the stellar leadership of Father Felix Raj would pave the way for a series of new projects between the two universities.

Dr. Bidisha Kantha

CGNI hosts special lecture on career guidance

The Centre for Global Network and Initiatives (CGNI) of St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) conducted a special lecture on higher studies and career guidance for all final-year students of SXUK by the United States-India Education Foundation (USIEF) on October 28, 2024 at the university campus.

The speaker was Ms. Sohini Jana, Education USA Adviser. She gave insightful information on how USIEF, the only official and state-sponsored organization, assists Indian students in getting opportunities to pursue higher education in different universities in USA.

She also explained various processes related to visa application and approval, getting part-time work there, how to crack TOEFL and getting scholarships there while studying in US-based universities.

The program ended with an interactive session with the students. Dr. Bidisha Kantha delivered vote of thanks.

Dr. Manali Bhattacharya

Click on the picture to zoom

CGNI hosts FDP on mental health

The Centre for Global Network & Initiatives (CGNI) of St. Xavier’s University Kolkata (SXUK) in collaboration with PSYCHeDGES; a Kolkata-based educational consultant conducted a 7-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on Mental Health Awareness for the faculty members of the university.

Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, Vice-Chancellor of SXUK inaugurated the FDP on December 5, 2024 amid the presence of Prof. Ashis Mitra, Registrar, Deans of respective faculties, schools, participants and the resource persons Dr. Gargi Dasgupta, Consultant Psychologist and CEO, PSYCHeDGES; Ms. Priya Ray Chaudhuri, Counsellor.

Father Felix Raj said, “It is necessary to focus on the importance of mental health of students as well as of faculty members and sensitisation towards mental health issues in the educational institutions of today.”

The FDP consisted of a total of 10 sessions spread over the 7 days, some days having sessions in both the halves and some days consisting of one session in either of the halves. The main focus of the FDP dealt with the various mental health issues that might crop up in the minds of modern-day adolescents and young adults.

The teachers, being the mentors of the young individuals, were given guidance on how to become first responders to any scenario, either when the students approach them directly seeking help or the teachers themselves notice a student behaving in an unusual manner and take the initiative to enquire about the mental health of the said student.

The various sessions of the FDP included topics like “Addiction”, “Carrer Anxiety & Academic Performance”, “Romantic Relationships”, “Peer Pressure & Bullying”, etc. The workshop ended on December 17, 2024 with the distribution of certificates to the participants.

Dr. Manali Bhattacharya
Prof-In-Charge, CGNI.

Click on the picture to zoom

St. Xavier's University, Kolkata (SXUK) in collaboration with Alliance Alliance Française du Bengale, has commenced the Beginners Level French Course (Level A1.1) classes for its students in the university campus from August 20, 2024.

Fifteen students of this university have enrolled in this course. Eminent and experienced faculty members are taking classes. Proper study materials are being provided to the students besides classroom lectures and demonstrations.

The classes are being held within the university’s working hours. Students will be awarded with certificates on the successful completion of the course.

Dr. Manali Bhattacharya

MoU Signed between SXUK and Alliance Française du Bengale

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata and Alliance Française du Bengale on March 18th 2024 in the University campus. The MoU was signed by Rev. Fr. Dr. John Felix Raj, Vice-Chancellor, and by Mr. Nicolas Facino, Director, Alliance Française du Bengale.

The MoU opens up scope for foreign language education in the university campus as well as a number of other academic, cultural and research collaborations between the two institutes.

Manali Bhattacharya

Click on the picture to zoom

St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Sussex, United Kingdom on June 6, 2024 at the university campus. The MoU will foster academic collaboration between the two universities.

Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Vice-Chancellor of SXUK said, “The MoU will further enhance our undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes through student mentoring, faculty exchange programmes, joint conferences and internship facilities. Students and faculty members will get further opportunities for conducting research,” he added.

On behalf of the University of Sussex, Ms. Havovi Cyrus Anita and Prof. Sambit Bhattacharya were present.

Prof. Ashis Mitra, Registrar, Dr. Manali Bhattacharya, Professor-in-Charge of CGNI and Dr. Bidisha Kantha of SXUK were also present.

Dr. Somak Sen