By Verghese V Joseph –
The reputed Jesuit-run university of higher learning, Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIM-B), which hosts eleven schools offering Doctoral, Masters and Under-graduate programmes has rebranded itself as XIM University. The name change is expected to provide a fresh impetus to the institution’s impact and reach.
This name change was necessitated as the students, staff, faculty and alumni was in favour of retaining the old brand name of XIM. The request was given due consideration after two years of deliberations and discussions with stakeholders and received approval from the board of governance of university. Accordingly, the Government of Odisha was requested to consider this change by enacting an amendment of XIM University.
Thereafter, a Odisha (Amendment) Act 2021 was passed in the Odisha Legislative Assembly on 3rd April 2021 renaming institute as XIM University and thus, the Gazette Notification was published on 11th of May 2021. As per its provisions, the University has its main campus in Nijigada Kurki, Harirajpur, in Puri District of Odisha, and an additional campus at Xavier Square, Bhubaneswar, where the Xavier Institute of Management functions. With a rich history of 450 years in the field of education in India, the Jesuits run 52 colleges, over 17 Business Schools, and 220 high schools besides several other technical and social research centres across the country.
XIM University sees itself as a quality university delivering quality education to quality students from the world over. The Xavier University came into being with the Government of Odisha passing the Xavier University Act in June 2013. It inherits the legacy of XIMB (Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar), a premier world class B-School in the country.
Speaking on the development, Dr Fr Anthony R Uvari, SJ, Vice Chancellor, XIM University, said, “XIM University strives to act as a torchbearer of quality education. In this context, the Xavier management has united the two campuses and named them one single entity called XIM University. The brand name XIM has gained acceptance by the industries, corporates, leaders, and development sector. It has established a vast network in the corporate world, which consists of more than 8000 management graduates.”
With the passage of time and based on the experience acquired over the past seven years, the management and board of governors of Xavier University, Bhubaneswar, felt that the ‘XIM’ University will find greater acceptance world over because of its reputation as a centre of excellence keep in mind the ‘XIM’ brand name, which has been inception in 1987.
They believe that students who receive a certificate bearing the ‘XIM’ brand name will find better career prospects in the country and abroad. The business, corporations, transformation leaders, and the growth sectors all recognize this brand. XIM has brought laurels, prestige, and honour to the state of Odisha and has served the state and the nation through its extensive network and relationships.
With its humble beginnings in 1987 in management education, XIM University now has 11 schools offering doctoral, masters, and undergraduate programmes. We are committed to working relentlessly as XIM University to ensure that the world receives a high quality, all-around development education from Odisha. The decision to retain the brand ‘XIM’ is of paramount importance, which would enable XIM University to excel in different areas.
The name change to ‘XIM’ is also for better governance and administration of the University as one legal entity. Since the top-notch institute was known as XIM for many years, carrying forward the same legacy with the brand name XIM will help the smooth transition (to avoid prevailing confusion among its stakeholders and to merge both the campuses) of all the academic activities as well as the governance of the University. It will help the university have a uniform system, process and procedures across the institute.
Currently, XIM University views itself as a distinguished university that provides quality education to top-notch students worldwide. The XIM University inherits the legacy of the 34-year-old XIM (Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar), the country’s premier, world-class B-School. XIM University’s identity is described by its ethic of ‘men and women for and with others’.
The faculty, staff, and students represent diverse faiths and identities. The students are taught the value of experience, curiosity, global experiences, and ‘cura personalis’, which translates to ‘care for the whole person’. There is a strong intention to be the first to respond to society’s needs and encourage sustainable societies that motivate the state’s and country’s futures, acting as a change agent. Education for moral character, adaptability, world affirmation and faith that serves justice are all hallmarks of this philosophy.
XIM has generated over 9,000 management graduates. Its alumni are dispersed worldwide, contributing to society’s greater welfare. Retaining the brand ‘XIM’ is critical because it enables each stakeholder to operate more efficiently and effectively, fosters greater collaboration and networking with external stakeholders, attracts high-quality students and qualified and experienced faculty, and positively impacts the lives of common people. XIM University is committed to social justice, service to the poor and the underprivileged, and the promotion of compassion, integrity, and sustainable society.
The ‘XIM’ University will also fetch better recruiters on campus for placement and provide more job opportunities since it will soon be legal entity. The name, ‘XIM’ University, has the potential to provide better service to the people of Odisha and the country at large based on its cherished values of integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, compassion, and sustainability with its renewed Vision and Mission.
For further details, please visit https://xim.edu.in