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 (RAC) of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata is hereby reconstituted with effect from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, comprising of the following members:

Note: Updated on 04.08.2026

Composition of Research Development Cell (RDC):

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

Committee 1: Finance and Infrastructure Committee

1. Dr. Chayanika Mitra, Assistant Professor & HoD, Dept. of Economics, Faculty of A&SS (Convenor)
2. Dr. Ruchita Burman, Assistant Professor, Xavier Business School
3. Dr. Mili Kar, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Commerce & Management
4. Dr. Rupa Biswas, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Social Work, Faculty of A&SS
5. Dr. Madhurita Dey, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Commerce & Management

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. Anurupa Kundu, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychology, Faculty of A&SS (Convenor)
2. Dr. Prayag Ray, Assistant Professor, Dept. of English, Faculty of A&SS
3. Dr. Sovik Mukherjee, Assistant Professor, Xavier Business School
4. Dr. Samrat Banerjee, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Commerce & Management
5. Dr. Nabanita Sen, Assistant Professor, Xavier Law School

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. Poulami Chatterjee, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Economics, Faculty of A&SS (Convenor)
2. Dr. Sucheta Paul, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Social Work, Faculty of A&SS
3. Dr. Nirupam Datta, Assistant Professor, Xavier Law School
4. Dr. Parvati Varma, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychology, Faculty of A&SS
5. Dr. Srenwantee Bhattacharjee, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Social Work, Faculty of A&SS

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. Rev. Dr. Mourlin K, SJ, Assistant Professor, Xavier Business School (Convenor)
2. Dr. Reshmi Naskar, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mass Communication, Faculty of A&SS
3. Dr. Tutun Mukherjee, Assistant Professor, Xavier Business School
4. Dr. Amlan Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, Xavier Law School
5. Dr. Paramita Barman Sen, 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. Rev. Dr. Maria Joseph Israel, S.J., Assistant Professor & Associate Dean, Commerce (Morning) (Convenor)
2. Dr. Lahama Mazumdar, Assistant Professor, Xavier Law School
3. Dr. Indrani Mukherjee, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Statistics
4. Dr. Ritesh Kumar, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychology, Faculty of A&SS
5. Dr. Soma Debnath, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Computer Science

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