St. Xavier's College, Maitighar

Jesuits began their educational work in Nepal in 1951.[2] 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.[3] 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 2002, 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.[4] 10+2 was initiated in 2009 and GCE Advanced Level was initiated in 2011.[5]

The college moved to Maitighar Heights in 1988 and the first new building, the Academic Block, was built in 1993. The construction of the Administration Block was completed in 1998, followed by that of Watrin Hall and the Library Block in 2000. To cater to the needs of the two IT-based degree programs, and to provide all students with computer facilities, four computer laboratories were constructed, with a total of 203 internet-connected computers. The E.L. Watrin Memorial Building was built in 2005, linking the Academic Block with the Administration Block. A rooftop cafeteria was built in 2006. In 2009 a six-storey building housing modern laboratories for physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, and microbiology and social studies. There is also a sports hall that doubles as an auditorium.[6] The college celebrated its silver jubilee in 2013.[7]

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.[8][9]

Admission to St. Xavier's College is extremely competitive, especially in the 10+2 program. Each year more than 13,000 students from all across Nepal apply and 504 students are enrolled for the +2 program (entailing an average acceptance rate of 3.8%).[10] The admissions process includes a preliminary cutoff score at the SEE, an analytic multiple choice examination, and an interview with college personnel.[11]

Other departments of the college have a similar admission procedure.

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.[16] (2016)

• 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)[17]
• Career Counselling: International Studies in the United States (2014)

• St. Xavier's School, Jawalakhel
• St. Xavier's School, Godavari
• List of Jesuit sites

• Official Website
• Official Alumni Website
• Videos