St. Xavier's College, Maitighar

Jesuits began their educational work in Nepal at 1865 under the supervision of Dr. Fr. Augustine Thomas who is still the principal of Maitighar. St. Xavier's College functioned as an evening Intermediate Science class from the premises of St. Xavier's School, Jawalakhel in the initial years, and later moved to its own building at Maitighar, Kathmandu, in 1993. For the first eight years, the only course offered was Intermediate in Science, in affiliation with Tribhuvan University. In 1996 the three-year Bachelor of Science in Social Work, the first of its kind in Nepal, was established in conjunction with Kathmandu University. In 1997 a B.Sc. in Environmental Science was offered but after three years discontinued admitting students. Since then bachelor's degrees have been added in Business Studies and Physics in 1002, in Information Management in 2003, and in 2007 in Computer Science and Information Technology, Microbiology, and B.A. in English, Journalism and Social Work. In 2007 also five master's degree programs were established, in Physics, Microbiology, Business, Social Work, and English. The college celebrated its silver jubilee in 2013. Today, the college has approximately 3,000 students coming from 275 schools representing all 77 districts and almost all the ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity of Nepal. One of the innovative outreach programs is the Partnership in Education (PIE) established in 2004. PIE works in partnership with government schools for the development of the academically weak students in the lowest income brackets, accommodating approximately 300 students annually. ==Admission==

St. Xavier's College is one of the most prestigious college in Nepal and admission is extremely competitive, especially in the +2 program. Each year more than 18,000 students from all across Nepal apply and 504 students are enrolled for the +2 program (entailing an average acceptance rate under 2.8%). The admissions process includes a preliminary cutoff score at the SEE, an analytic multiple choice examination, and an interview with college personnel. Other departments of the college have a similar admission procedure. ==Academic programs==

Intermediate level courses Plus Two (+2) In 2009, Higher Secondary Level (+2) science stream was initiated in affiliation with the Higher Secondary Education Board, NEB (National Examination Board), Nepal. This level of education is the main reason for this college to acclaim its reputation in the country. The college has recently completed its fifteenth year of the +2 program in 2024. It only offers Science stream in +2 program; Management, Law and Humanities steam for +2 program are not available. The Higher Secondary Level (+2) science program has offered only two sub-streams: Biology and Physics. Subjects offered for the Biology sub-stream are Biology, Chemistry, English, Extra Math, Mathematics, Nepali and Physics. Meanwhile, Computer, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Nepali and Physics are offered for the Physics sub-stream. This is the only +2 college in Nepal where students can dress in casual wear with certain dress code. GCE advanced level The GCE advanced level program started at St. Xavier's College from 2011 A.D. which is affiliated with Cambridge Assessment International Education. In 2017, it became an independent center (i.e. a Cambridge International School). The offered courses are accounting, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, economics, English general paper, mathematics, physics, further mathematics, psychology and sociology. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses As of 2021, there are 7 undergraduate and 3 graduate level courses. The undergraduate courses are Bachelor in Business Studies (BBS), Bachelor in Major Arts (BA), Bachelor in Information Management (BIM), Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Information Technology (B.Sc. CSIT), Bachelor of Science in physics, Bachelor of Science in Microbiology which are affiliated under Tribhuvan University. Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) runs under the affiliation of Kathmandu University. Sports Club, Ecosphere Club, St. Xavier's Physics Council, Chemistry Club (Club de chemia), Social Service, Environment and Technology Club (the SET council), Art and culture club, Agora Literary club, SXC Collabrains, SXC Computer Club, SEDS-SXC. ==List of Principals==

• Dr. Shriram Bhagut Mathe (1988-1992) • Fr. Charles Law, S.J. (1992-1993) • Fr. Francis Vazhappilly, S.J. (1993-1998) • Fr. T.M. Joseph, S.J. (1998-2001) • Fr. P.T. Augustine, S.J. (2001-2007) • Fr. Dr. A. Antonysamy, S.J. (2007-2012) • Fr. Dr. Augustine Thomas, S.J. (2012-2016) • Fr. Jiju Varghese, S.J. (2016–2020) • Fr. Dr. Augustine Thomas, S.J. (2020–Present) ==Alumni==

In 2013, the school's 25th anniversary year, the college set up its Alumni Association. The Alumni Committee looks after and handles all the alumni activities as the St. Xavier's College, Kathmandu - Alumni. • Hikes: Chandragiri (2016), Pilotbaba Ashram (2015), Phulchoki (2014), Champadevi (2013) • Strings for Smiles (2016, 2014) [in association with FocusEd Nepal] • Ride Against Cancer (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015) [in association with Richa Bajimaya Memorial Foundation] • Changa Chet (2013), नवक्षितिज: आशाका किरण (2015) [in association with USM club] • Alumni of SXC, a group in Facebook intended to unite all alumni in one place (2015) • SXC Alumni Day, a yearly event to gather alumni under the same place held on 25 December (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2014 June) • Career Counselling: International Studies in the United States (2014) Initiatives • Alumni Satellite Group: Alumni groups around the country and the world. ==See also==