St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar is an educational institution located in Kathamndu Neapl run by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) since 1988. It offers intermediate level high school courses (grades 11 and 12) through the GEC (Advanced Level) and 10+2 programs, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in natural science, business, social science, and humanities.
It is considered to be one of the most prestigious institutions in Nepal.
History:
Jesuits began their educational work in Nepal in 1951. St. Xavier’s College functioned as an evening Intermediate Science from the premises of St. Xavier’s School, Jawakhel 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 Tribhuwan University. In 1996 the three-year Bachelor of Science in Social Work, the first of its kind in Nepal, was established in conjunction with Kathamndu 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. 10+2 was initiated in 2009 and GCE Advanced Level was initiated in 2011.
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. The College celebrated its silver jubilee in 2013.
Today, the College has approximately 3,000 students coming from 275 schools representing all 75 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.
