St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, over a period of 150 years has built up a very strong national and international fraternity of alumni members, as well as a distinctive reputation of national and international understanding. 150 years is, therefore being celebrated by building up partnership programmes with two international college and university. This is in keeping with the recent trend of most national educational institutions and universities of repute to enter into partnership or collaboration with parallel international institutes and universities. University of Manitoba A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed between University of Manitoba and St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata on February 2008. For this Dr.Arup Mitra Head of Department of Microbiology and Mr.Ajay Mitra visited the university in May 2008. According to the MOU, three schemes of exchange program have been worked out. A short-term student exchange program. A four year long exchange program between the Department of Microbiology (St. Xavier’s College) and Food Sciences Department (UOM) in which students spend two years in each of the departments. A special program in which students can be directly admitted to the Master’s program in UOM after completion of 15 years of education. Four students from SXC and UOM have already experienced short-term exchange program with the partner institutions between January 2009 and September – October 2009. This exchange was based on cultural and family exposure on the one hand and academic exposure including campus life, visits to the well-equipped practical laboratories on the other. In addition, the students of UOM visited the Indian Science Congress along with the SXC students in Shillong in January 2009. One student from SXC has already been admitted in the 2+2 long-term program in UOM. College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, St. Joseph, Minnesota, has been keen in establishing partnership for a student exchange program with St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. This would enable them to have an opening in India for promoting their Education Abroad Program. In fact, very recently, the college has been awarded title VI grant from the United States Department of Education. This grant offers them more opportunities for collaborative research, exchanges and experiential and service earning for students of the two partner colleges. In September-October Dr. Sweta Ghosh, Head of the Department of Sociology was invited by the college to visit them and work out an exchange program for the students of the two colleges. It has been decided that their first batch of students would come to our college in January 2011 for a semester long program. We would then send our students to their college for a similar program. Such partnership and collaboration, it is hoped would extend our horizon, for pursuit of excellence and benefit the entire academic community in the college.
A Brief History on International Link With its glorious history for 150 years, St. Xavier's College (Autonomous) have had countless of International students year in and year out. This is despite the fact that the college has never formally approached the international community to take up studies at the college. International students from around the world, particularly from Japan, China, Korea and neighbouring countries came to study here on their on volition because of the quality of the programmes and the quality of programme delivery in the most professional way, the majority of the academic staff have international education and training at the highest level. Today education has taken a global form. So much so that over the past five years more than 20 universities from around the world - UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, US, Canada, Korea to name but a few – have approached the college to set up joint curricula in science, arts, commerce and media studies. The college has already signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding with a number of universities from these countries. St. Xavier's Students Exchange Programmes with Canada and the US are highly successful.		Opportunity for International Students at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata It is fitting, therefore, that the College on its 150th Birthday has decided to go global and invite international students to come to one of the most prestigious institutions of India, St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kolkata, is ranked 3rd in India by India’s most prestigious journal “India Today” consistently over the past five years ever since the ranking of colleges started. We now formally invite the international students to join one of the following highly acclaimed 3-year Honours Degree programmes from July 2010: B.Sc. (Honours) in Biotechnology [5-year Full-time integrated M.Sc. is available]   B.Sc. (Honours) in Microbiology [3-year Full-time] The above honours degrees are awarded by the Calcutta University.
International Link on 2 + 2 Mode The college has a very active international link with both Canadian and US universities. To further this link the college has signed relevant Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada and the College of St. Benedict / St. John’s University, Minnesota, USA. This has created a unique opportunity for students both in India and our neighbouring countries – Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka etc – to study on a unique 2 + 2 programme agreed with the University of Manitoba, a very top ranking State University of Canada. Under the above agreement students will study the first two years at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous) in Kolkata. Upon successful completion the students will progress on to the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg for further two years of study to complete the honours Degree. The degree will be awarded by the University of Manitoba.		University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada www.umanitoba.ca The University of Manitoba was founded in 1877 and has become a Centre of  Excellence in Teaching and Research. The campus is situated near the South end of the city of Winnipeg and encompasses a spacious 274 hectare area along the bank of the Red River. The University has an excellent reputation in Canada and throughout the world with international accredited programmes, highly ranked professional programmes and award-winning researchers and instructors. The University has a low cost of living and thus the students enjoy an excellent, high quality education at reasonable costs. The Libraries are extremely well stocked with an extensive collection of books and journals. The multimedia facility at the university is excellent, which keeps the students well informed with the latest technical advancements in the field of their interest.

Admissions Requirements

Admissions to subject areas referring to Sections 2 and 3.2 are:

1. 10 + 2 Examination or equivalent passes (e.g. Grade 12 or Higher Secondary) in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The students must have an overall aggregate of 75% marks.
    
2. Age qualifications: applicants must not exceed the age of 21 on the 30th June in the year of joining the college.
    
3. All applicants will be interviewed by a senior member of the College’s Admission Team. S/he must demonstrate his/her commitment on the course of choice at this interview.
   
   Note 1: International students will be interviewed over the telephone.
   Note 2: In the case of borderline (just below 75% aggregate marks) applicants, they will be required to sit an admission test in English and Mathematics.
    
4. Proficiency in English Language is required for all students.
    
5. Students wishing to join 2 + 2 mode [refer to section 3.2] must pass International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in Academic English within 6 months of joining the college. The acceptable IELTS score to the University of Manitoba is 6.5 in each area of academic English, e.g. writing, speaking and listening. [Note to domestic students: In order to sit the IELTS examination, conducted by the British Council in Kolkata, students must have a valid passport].

Download Application Form [PDF]

Students on the 2 + 2 Mode

Progression to Year 3 of the programme at the University of Manitoba will be dependent on the student having satisfactorily passed Year 1 and Year 2 at St. Xavier’s College. Also, they must satisfy the Canadian Visa requirements. Neither the College nor the University guarantee that any individual student will be granted a visa by the Canadian Immigration Service.

Costs at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous) for 2 + 2 Mode/St. Xavier’s Courses
International Students: Students are required to make a one-off payment of INR 100,400 (approximately US $2,200 ) for the First Year of Study (to be paid upon enrolment). and a further INR 75,400 (approx. US $ 1605) for the Second Year of Study (to be paid before the start of the 2nd year). The above fee is made up as follows: Monthly Fee: INR 1000             Additional Fee: INR 4000             Development Fee: INR 200             Sub total: INR 5200 x 12 = INR   62,400     Application Fee = INR     1,000     Admission Fee = INR     6,000     Yearly Extra = INR     6,000     Laboratory Caution = INR     5,000 (one-off)   Security = INR   20,000 (one-off)           Total Payable for Year 1 = INR 100,400   Total Payable for Year 2 = INR   75,400		Indian Students: Students are required to make a one-off payment of INR 52,400 for the First Year of Study (to be paid upon enrolment). and a further INR 38,400 for the Second Year of Study (to be paid before the start of the 2nd year). The above fee is made up as follows: Monthly Fee: INR 1000             Additional Fee: INR 2500             Development Fee: INR 200             Sub total: INR 3700 x 12 = INR 44,400     Application Fee = INR   1,000     Admission Fee = INR   2,000     Yearly Extra = INR   3,000     Laboratory Caution = INR   4,000 (one-off)   Security = INR 10,000 (one-off)           Total Payable for Year 1 = INR 64,400     Total Payable for Year 2 = INR 38,400

How to Apply to St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata

The College welcomes applications [forms can be downloaded from the college website : www.sxccal.edu. Applications should include the initial fee of INR 1000 (Banker’s draft only made out to St Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata) at the time of submission. If not, they will not be processed until the fee is received.

Please include the following:

1. Fully completed St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous) Application form.
2. Higher Secondary/post-secondary transcripts (Notarised). Note that the Original transcripts must be produced during the admission process.
3. English Language Proficiency results (minimum IELTS Score of 6.0).
4. Initial fee of INR 1000 (Banker’s draft only). This fee is Non-refundable.
5. Two passport - size photographs.
6. One academic reference from the Principal/Head Teacher of your last College/school. The reference must include the following criteria:

• academic achievement,
• proficiency in English language,
• study-skills to include note-taking and note-making skills,
• ability to work in a team as well as independently,
• leadership skills, if any.
• predicted aggregate percentage marks if applying while awaiting 10 + 2 or equivalent exams results.

Please forward your completed application form (by registered mail) along with all the details (ii through to vi above) directly to:

Dr. Arup Kumar Mitra
Head of Department and 2 + 2 Programme Director
Department of Microbiology
St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous)
30 Mother Teresa Sarani (Park Street)
Kolkata 700 016
India.

Tel: + 91 33 2255 1285 (Landline) / + 91 98 3104 1051 (Mobile)
Fax: + 91 33 2283 3542
e-mail: drakmitra01@hotmail.com

Note that the applications for the 2 + 2 Mode is open from the 10th December. As the number of places on the programme is limited each application will be considered on its merits and on the ‘first come first served basis’.

International students are requested to apply early. They should give themselves at least 3 months for the visa process. Note that the academic year (over two semesters) begins from the 1st week of July each year.

Programmes at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous) are extremely popular and usually fill up very quickly. You can still apply even if you are awaiting your exams results. If, however, your actual exams results do not meet the selection criterion your initial fee of INR 1000 will be refunded in full.

About Coming to St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata.

1. Follow the steps suggested in section How to Apply to St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata
    
2. Once you are accepted, following the admissions procedure, into a programme you will be sent an acceptance letter and information form to take to the Indian High Commission/Embassy in your country (if you are an International student) to apply for a Study Permit (student visa).
    
3. Pay your confirmation fee and your tuition fees on or before the date indicated in your letter confirming your attendance into your programme.
    
4. Arrive at St. Xavier’s College a week before the start of classes in order to adjust to Kolkata life and attend your orientation programme.

Refund of Tuition Fees [for both International and Home students]

1. If a student cancels his/her place on the course prior to the start of lectures, the student will receive a full refund of fees paid minus an administrative cost of INR 5,000.
    
2. If a student cancels within 30 days after the start of the lectures, the student will receive a 75% fees refund of fees paid minus an administrative cost of INR 5,000.
    
3. If a student cancels 30 days after the start of the lectures but before the first Semester exams the student will receive a 25% refund of fees paid minus an administrative cost of INR 5,000.
    
4. If a student withdraws after condition iii above, the student will not receive any refund unless there are mitigating circumstances determined by the Principal/Vice Principal.

Living Costs in Kolkata (approximate)
 To be announced later


Scholarships at St. Xavier’s College

A few Tuition fees related scholarships are available. These will be considered only on the basis of merit at the end of Year 1 examinations’ results. For all initial queries, contact the Course Director, Dr. Arup K. Mitra.

Scholarships at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

A few Tuition fees related scholarships are available. These will be considered only on the basis of merit at the end of Year 2 examinations’ results at St. Xavier’s College. The criteria for scholarships are determined by the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba. For all initial queries, contact the Course Director, Dr. Arup K. Mitra.

Employment in Canada During Full-time Study

Part Time paid work (20 hours per week) is allowed during term-time at the University of Manitoba (UM), Canada. Note, however, that this is only allowed after six months of arrival at the University of Manitoba. Initially students must work at the campus only and thereafter off-campus once a relevant work permit is issued. Note also that

• Paid Full Time work is allowed during 12 weeks of Summer Vacation.
• Three years of Work Permit for Canada is granted once the Degree is awarded.
• Possible immigration status under the Manitoba Provincial Immigration Program is considered upon the successful completion of the Honours Degree programme. This is entirely at the discretion of the Canadian of the Canadian Immigration Office.

Expenditure involved at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

The students will have to finance the costs of tuition, living costs, books, health insurance, local transport, sports facilities etc. These costs currently are circa CND $16,000 per year. For more accurate figure refer to the university website: www.umanitoba.ca under the International Students section.

Note that although scholarships for academic achievements and part time employment are available, students must not depend on this as a way of financing their studies.

Student Authorization to Enter Canada

All International students must obtain a Student Permit before entering Canada. All International Students must apply for a Student Permit to the Canadian High Commission/Embassy in their own country of residence. The application for a Student Permit by Indian students is made directly to the Canadian High Commission, New Delhi.

The following documents are required in all cases:

• Valid Passport
• Evidence of successful completion of the first two years of study at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata
• Certificate of Acceptance to the University of Manitoba
• Evidence of adequate financial support to live and study in Canada

St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous) Endeavours for 2008 - 09

The profile of the College in India is very high as evidenced by the students’ participation in such prestigious fora as the national 95th Indian Science Congress held in Shillong between 3 – 7 January, 2009.