Introduction

St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad is one of the prestigious institutions of higher learning, being run by the well-known Christian religious order, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Founded nearly 500 years back, this order made pioneering efforts in organizing and spreading secular education in Europe and extended their activities to India in the middle of the sixteenth century. All the institutions run by the Jesuits in India made a mark in their respective areas for the high standards of education imparted and for quality of students produced. SXC, Ahmedabad was the first Christian institution of higher education established in Gujarat and in course of its life of 45 years has rendered yeoman service in the field of higher education.

Within years of its establishment, SXC acquired the status of an elite college, known for excellence in teaching and extra-curricular activities. During the last twenty-five years, however, there has been a welcome change in the philosophy of the College. Inspired by the worldwide debate in the Jesuit circles, the College, while retaining its commitment to the goals of quality teaching and development of the personality of its students, adopted the goal of social justice. In the Indian context it means providing opportunities to the hither to deprived sections of the society, not only by giving them preferential treatment in admission to the College, but by creating structures for additional help to this section of students, both academic and psychological. Besides, the College decided to direct its attention to the slum dwellers, rural poor and Tribal masses. In assessing the College, the Peer Team has taken into account the new statement of aims and objectives as mentioned in the College Prospectus.

The concern for quality and the desire to improve further motivated the SXC to volunteer for assessment by the NAAC. This College is the first institution in Gujarat to do so. The Self-Study Report submitted by the College is quite comprehensive, meticulous and candid. The NAAC appointed the following Peer Team for the assessment and accreditation of the College:

Prof. R.K. Misra, Formerly Vice-Chancellor, D.D.V. Gorakhpur University & Dean, Law School, Banaras Hindu University,
Dr. Sr. Annamma Philip, Principal, Stella Maris College, Chennai,
Dr. K.S. Arya, President, Dayanand National Academy of Environmental Sciences & Director of DAV College of Management, Communication & Educational Administration, Chandigarh.
Dr.Danie Jacobs, Executive Director of SERTEC was with the team through out as an international observer on NAAC’s invitation to give feedback to NAAC on the process of NAAC. Dr.Antony Stella, Deputy Adviser of NAAC facilitated the peer team visit. The Team went through the Self Study Report and all other documents made available by the College. The Team also interacted with the Governing Body, Principal, Vice-Principals, members of the Faculty, alumni, parents and students. Besides the Team visited all the teaching departments, facilities and allied institutions situated in the campus. The following Report prepared within the framework of the seven criteria laid down by the NAAC is based on the aforesaid materials.