Convenor
01Dr. Ajith M Thomas
Research Overview
About
Academic Excellence & Innovation Through Research
Research Culture
Scholarly inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge creation across disciplines.
At St. Xavier's College, Thumba, research is regarded as a vital pillar of academic excellence and innovation. The institution is committed to fostering a vibrant research culture by encouraging faculty members and students to engage in meaningful scholarly inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge creation that contributes to society and the advancement of their respective fields.
Research & Development Cell
The Research & Development Cell (RDC) serves as the central body for coordinating and promoting research initiatives across the institution. It facilitates the development of research proposals, monitors ongoing projects, and upholds ethical and academic standards throughout the research process.
The RDC also organises workshops, seminars, and training programmes on research methodology, emerging disciplines, and best practices in scholarly work. In addition, it guides researchers in identifying and pursuing funding opportunities offered by national agencies and other recognised organisations.
Publications & Scholarly Contributions
Faculty members of the college actively contribute to academic and professional discourse through publications in reputed national and international journals. Research activities span a wide range of disciplines, reflecting the institution's commitment to innovation, critical thinking, and intellectual growth.
The college also encourages the publication of books, book chapters, conference proceedings, and other scholarly works that enrich academic literature and support the dissemination of research findings.
Research Projects
St. Xavier's College, Thumba actively promotes the pursuit of funded and independent research projects by its faculty members. Researchers are encouraged to undertake initiatives that address contemporary challenges, generate new insights, and create meaningful societal impact through collaboration with funding agencies and academic partners.
Student research forms an integral part of the learning experience, particularly in postgraduate programmes, where project work and dissertations provide opportunities to develop analytical skills, research aptitude, and practical application of academic knowledge.
Governance & Academic Integration
At St. Xavier's College, Thumba, research and development are primarily managed through the Research Committee and supported by academic regulations under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP).
Research Committee
The college maintains a dedicated Research Committee to oversee and promote a research culture among students and faculty.
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr. Ajith M Thomas | Convenor |
| Dr. (Fr) Shibu Joseph | Member |
| Dr. Priya P S | Member |
| Dr. Renju R Krishnan | Member |
| Dr. D Legio Meril | Member |
| Dr. Divya Thomas | Member |
| Dr. Sunil C Vattappalam | Member |
| Dr. Ansi Rahila | Member |
| Dr. Girilal M | Member |
Member
02Dr. (Fr) Shibu Joseph
Member
03Dr. Priya P S
Member
04Dr. Renju R Krishnan
Member
05Dr. D Legio Meril
Member
06Dr. Divya Thomas
Member
07Dr. Sunil C Vattappalam
Member
08Dr. Ansi Rahila
Member
09Dr. Girilal M
Research in the Academic Framework
One of the core objectives of the institution is to train students to be excellent researchers and knowledge workers. This is formally integrated through several pathways:
Honours with Research Degree
Under the FYUGP, students can opt for an "Honours with Research" stream in their fourth year if they maintain a CGPA of 7.5/10 (7.0 for reserved categories).
Research Projects
Students in this stream must complete a mandatory research project/dissertation (12 credits) in their eighth semester under the guidance of a university-approved research supervisor.
Faculty Requirements
To offer the research degree, a department must have at least two permanent faculty members who are university-approved research guides.
Mentorship Capacity
To ensure quality mentorship, each eligible faculty member is limited to a maximum of five research students at any time.
Infrastructure
The college provides specialised infrastructure to support experimental research, including science laboratories, access to academic journals, and computer labs.
Research Support and Publication
Library Resources
The Arnos Padiri Library plays a vital role by providing access to e-resources through DELNET and hosting a yearly journal where scholarly articles written by students are published.
External Collaboration
The college engages with research associates from external institutions, such as the School of Global Studies (UK), to advise on the College Level Academic Committee.
Career Opportunities
The college occasionally facilitates research-specific employment, such as the post of Research Assistant & Field Assistant.
Explore Research at SXC
Learn more about the RDC, mission and objectives, and student research pathways across the institution.